The shrine dedicated to Lord Viswanatha or Lord Siva is believed to be over 700 years old. Vallomkali or boat race is a sports unique to backwaters of Kerala conducted during the Onam season. The eight-day retreat and fast begins on the first of September every year and concludes with the St. Mary's birthday celebration. The birthday of Lord Krishna falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam on a day which is a combination of the Ashtami and Rohini asterisms.
Devotees keep awake till midnight chanting the lord's name with devotion.
The week long Onam celebrations organised by Kerala Tourism from August 24 to 30 will be conducted at eight main venues and four sub venues in the capital city. The celebrations will be inaugurated at the Nishagandhi open air auditorium with a specially choreographed session of traditional Kerala dance forms. Theerthapada mandapam near East Fort, Public office compound near Museum complex. Carnatic music concerts and classical dance forms will be presented at V.J.T Hall. Student artistes from various Universities both within and outside Kerala will stage their performances at the University College.