According to the traditional system of visiting this temple, the devotee first worships Lord Krishna at the shrine of Vasudevapuram on the southern bank of the vast temple tank known as Aashraamath-chira, where there is a beautiful idol of Krishna playing the flute. The sweet melody from Krishna's flute symbolizes the supreme spiritual harmony that prevails in the background of the universe of diversities, which one can experience by spiritually elevating oneself. Worship of Krishna before entering the great temple of Shiva symbolizes the essential unity of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva as two aspects of the same Supreme Being. There are other special features in this temple that highlight this unity. It is believed that there was an ashram of sage Agastya on the bank of this temple tank. The tank was reconstructed in the present stage, it is believed about 460 years ago, by a devotee named Chittoor Namboodiripad.