According to legends Lord Ayyappa, the presiding diety of Sabarimala had incarnated as the son of Raja of Pandalam. Pandalam is perhaps the second only to Sabarimala in sanctify and significance. It is believed that the Raja constructed a temple close to his palace on the banks of Achancoil river which is the present Valiya Koickal temple. The chest containing the sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappa are taken in a procession from Pandalam to Sabarimala Three days prier to Makaravilakku.

Pandalam is a small town in Kerala around 100 kms from both cities of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kochi (Cochin). If you are planning to travel by Rail, please get down at chengannur. Pandalam is 16 kms down at chengannur. To travel by road, Pandalam lies on M.C. Road which goes straight up to Thiruvananthapuram. When you are coming from cochin, the best route is by the National Highway 47 up to Nangiyarkulangara (Near Harippad) from where you to traverse to Mavelikkara and there to Pandalam. Pandalam is a holy town perhaps second only to Sabarimala "Sree Ayyappa" the presiding deity of sabarimala had his human sojourn here as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. The Valiya Koikal temple near the place on the banks of river Achenkoil has been modelled on the sabarimala shrine pilgrims usually stop here to workship before proceeding to sabarimala. Three days prior to the Makaravilaku festival, the sacred ornaments of sree Ayyappa are taken in procession from pandalam to sabarimala.