The temple's antiquity is profound, finding explicit mentions in the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and ancient Sangam Tamil literature like the Manimekalai. The Travancore kings heavily fortified the coastal structure to protect it from the sea and established the strict, elaborate Kerala-style pooja regulations that are still followed today.

Coastal Fortifications and the Closed Door

The temple is surrounded by massive stone walls to protect it from the crushing waves of the ocean. The most famous architectural restriction is the Eastern Gate, which permanently faces the Bay of Bengal. It is opened only five times a year on very specific festival days. For the rest of the year, devotees must enter through the Northern gate. Inside, the sanctum holds the mesmerizing idol of the Goddess holding a rosary of Rudraksha beads in her right hand.

The most legendary folklore of the temple surrounds the Goddess's spectacular Diamond Nose Ring (Mookuthi). It is said to be of such unimaginably brilliant purity that, centuries ago, sailors on passing ships mistook its flashing reflection for a lighthouse. Many ships tragically crashed into the treacherous rocks trying to steer toward it. To prevent further maritime disasters, the temple priests permanently closed the Eastern door facing the sea, ensuring the blinding light of the nose ring would no longer guide ships to their doom.

The demon king Banasura obtained a massive boon that he could only be killed by a virgin girl. To destroy him, Goddess Parvati incarnated as Kumari. Lord Shiva of nearby Suchindram fell in love with her, and a midnight wedding was arranged. However, the celestial sage Narada knew the demon had to be killed. To stop the wedding, Narada magically mimicked a rooster's crow, making Shiva think the sun was rising and he had missed the auspicious time. The wedding was canceled. Furious and heartbroken, the Goddess destroyed the wedding feast—turning the rice into the multi-colored sands found on the beach today. She remained a virgin, eventually slaying Banasura, and now eternally meditates at the ocean's edge.

Worship strictly follows the Kerala Tantric tradition. Male devotees are required to remove their shirts and upper garments before entering the inner precincts. Taking a holy bath at the Triveni Sangam—the exact geographic confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean—is an absolute prerequisite for traditional pilgrims seeking purification.

The grandest festival is Navaratri, celebrating the Goddess's fierce victory over the demon Banasura. The Vaisakha Festival in May culminates with a spectacular chariot procession. Another major event is Chitra Pournami (Full Moon), where devotees can miraculously witness the sun setting and the full moon rising simultaneously over the three oceans from the temple shores.