The temple was built during the period of one Perunthachan.  After him, the Namboodris of the place chose one as their head (Yoga Thiripadu) and managed the temple.  However, Raja Sakthan Thamburan, the King of Kochi changed the procedure and brought the management of the temple by the public.  During his period, the temple region was dense with teakwood trees and it was decided to fell the trees.  But people opposed saying that these tree may be the hair (jadamudi) of Lord Shiva.  A 41 day festival was celebrated then when the jungle was destroyed.  After this event, no festival took place in the temple.  People believe this was the effect of the felling of the trees considered as the Jadamudi of Lord Shiva.

There is a sanctum sanctorum around the prakara behind Lord Shiva shrine for Mother Parvathi installed by Sage Parasurama.  The shrines on the southern side of the prakara for Sri Rama, Lord Sankaranarayana and Lord Ganapathy were installed by Baghwan Adi Sankara, according to belief.  When pujas are performed, they are simultaneously followed for all the Gods in the temple.

The Lord is praised as Vadakkunathar.  As He is the Lord for all the 14 worlds, every prayer of the devotee is granted.  The ghee used for the abishek of the Lord is consumed by devotees for cure from prolonged diseases and for curing infertility.  It increases the memory power of the consumer, it is strongly believed.

The Shiva Linga, 12 feet tall and placed on a peeta 25 feet wide is very old by age.  The ghee never melts and is as hard as a rock.  If the ghee melts, it immediately disappears.  No damage is caused to the Linga when abisheks are performed with rose water, sandal etc.  As a protection, the Linga is covered with a Kavacha.

Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva is not in front of the sanctum but in a separate mandap.  During Pradosha days, Lord grants darshan to devotees with Nandhi.  The serpent Vasuki used as the rope to churn the Nectar Ocean is in the temple in the form of a bell, it is believed.  During Pradosha time, it is rung by the Namboodri only, others are allowed to touch the bell.

Lord Shiva sustained a head injury while fighting with Arjuna.  Lord Dhanvantri treated Lord Shiva with ghee to stop the bleeding and this is that Nei Linga according to belief.  As the Ice Linga in Amarnath in the north, this is the Ghee Linga in South, hence revered as Dakshina (south) Kailash.  The place was created by Sage Parasurama.  This is a Shiva Temple in Kerala facing West.