Datable to ancient period, the temple complex has three shrines ,Sree Daivaththaar,(Sree sankara naaraayana sankalpam)Sree vettakkorumakan(both facing west)and Sree bhagavathi facing north.Of these the earliest one is that of SreeDurgabhagavathi believed to have been installed by Lord Parashuraama .The Sree bhagavathi temple is within a grove of Eachil plants.Since this old shrine is in the midst of Ecchil plants,the temple was known as ooril -pazhikiya Ecchil-kaav(old temple in the midst of jungle plants)and later by usage it became oorpazhacchi kaav.
A legend Two members of Velloor and Mullappalli Illams went to BALUSSERIKKOTTA and worshipped the presiding deity Vettakkorumakan.
They married two ladies belonging the families of Kaavullaaatan nambiar and Vennappaalan kurup and brought them to their residences near the OOrpazhacci kaav.One day they went this KAAV for plucking leaves for thaali(leaves used for cleaning the hair during head bath)When the women were plucking leaves ,milk came from the foot -stalk of the plant and blood from that of the other .They reported this matter to the elders of the family. A prasnam was then held It was revealed therein that along with the ladies Lord Daivaththaar(Siva) and Lord Vettakkorumakan had accompanied them when they came initially from their home-place at Balusseri,as they were great devotees of the Lords there.
The astrologers prescribed that separate shrines had to be built for Lord Daivaththaar and Lord Daivaththaar near the Goddess.Accordingly two shrine were built facing east.
.Daivaththaar is considered to be a friend of Lord Vettakkorumakan in this temple,as described in the ballads of kolam-ketti aatal.It is believed that Sree Vilwamangala swaamiyaar visitedthe temple during his journey from Ananthapura to Thiruvanthapuram in search of Lord Krishna.Thereafter the sankalpa of the idol has been changed to Lord Sankaranaaraayana and not Lord Siva.Even today the devotees consider the sand as sacred and the oil as a cure for all diseases of head and for aches.
Fearing the invasion of Tippu's forces the idols of the templ were secretly shifted to the Thevaara-matham of Akkara family of Thiruvangaat and worshipped there.All the structures were builtduring the period 1845-1895 by the earnest efforts of Kappiathth Chandu nambir
The chuttambalam has 4 entrances from the front .The Deepasthambham was installed in 1914
There is a small subshrine for(Melekottam) Sreesankaranaarayan at the rear of the temple, facing east.
An important ritual held on every Saturday at 11 am is VellaattThe kolam hears the grievances of the devoteesand bless them by suggesting remedies and giving them boons.At midnight Kettiyaattam of Lord Vettakkorumakan is performed
The tank is at the south-west corner of the complex.
Offerings Vellaatt,ligtning of lamps with oil and Sarkkarappaayasam are the main offerings.
Festivals Sivaraathri is held for nine days .Thruppuththari is held in the month of Chingam.Pattaththaanam in the avittam asteric of Kumbham,Punah-prathishta day on 14th Itavam
It is believed that the mantram and pooja system of this temple were prescribed and initiated by Vilwamangalam swamiyaar.
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