Student devotees pray at the Vedavyasa shrine to gain wisdom and distinction in their academic pursuits.  Longevity boon pujas are performed here as in Tirukadavur in Tamilnadu.  People pray for righteous, healthy and peaceful life  and to bring up their children with moral values.

Vallam means head.  As the length of the place extended up to the head part of Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swami in Thiruvanathapuram, the place is named Vallam.  Due to the prayer of His Holiness Vilwamangalam Swamigal who installed the Perumal idol, the size of Perumal shrunk within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, according to Sthala Puranas.   It is considered that the Parasurama temple as the head part of Anantha Padmanabha Swami, Thiruvananthapuram as Body part and the Tirupadapuram as His feet part.  Hence, it is suggested that devotees visit the three temples the same time one by one to gain full benefit of prayers.

Sage Parasurama visited many holy places to relieve himself from the dosha he incurred for killing his mother as commanded by his father.  As advised by Lord Shiva, he came to this place and had a bath in the Karamanai river.  He got a Linga here, installed it and performed penance in this place and cleansed himself of the dosha.  He also performed Tarpan for his mother here.  After Parasurama, Sages Madanga and Gautama worshipped this Shiva Linga.