UTHRA SEEVELI IN THIRUVALIA TEMPLE

Situated about three kilometre from the Thiruvalla railway station, the Sree Vallabha temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The large tank near the temple is believed to have formed naturally. Five other deities have also been installed here. The flag -staff of the temple, about 50 feet tall, is made of granite. It is believed that its bottom touches the water table. On the top of the flag-staff has been installed a three-feet high idol of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.

Ladies are not allowed near the sanctum sanctorum- except on the Vishnu and Thiruvathira days. Annually two festivals are held, one in February-March and another in March-April. The Utharaseeveli festival is celebrated for one day on the Makayiram asterism in Meenam (March-April). Apart from the religious ceremonies, cultural programmes are the highlights of the festival. Among the articles offered in the festival fair, household utensils made of granite have been in great demand