Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swami Temple is one of the most ancient temples of South India. It is situated on the banks of Karamana river near Thiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram. It is the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Parasurama. The temple is 6 km from Kovalam beach, 5 km from Trivandrum International airport, 3 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 3 km from Sree Attukal Devi Temple, 2 km from Sree Pazhanchira Devi temple and 1km from Sree Alukadu Devi temple.

   It says that the temple was built during the 12th and 13th century, late Pandyan period. The temple is considered a protected monument by the Archaeology Department of Kerala. The temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. It is famous for Balitharpanam (a tribute to ancestors). Legend has it that Lord Parasurama is the creator of Kerala and the temple dedicated to him is considered as a holy place for his devotees. During the karkidaka vavu day (a holiday in the Malayalam month of karkidakam) as part of the bali (a religious ritual), devotees pay homage to the departed souls of forefathers, after taking a dip in the holy water.

   According to mythology, sage Parasurama visited many places to get rid of his sins. As advised by Lord Shiva, he came to this place and had a bath in the Karamana river. After that he got the Shivalinga here, established it and performed penance in this place cleansed himself of the dosha (disbalance). He also performed Tharpan (last rites) for his mother here. After Parasurama, sages Madanga and Gautama worshipped this Shiva Linga.

   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. With strong prayers, his holiness, Vilwamangalam Swamigal established this idol. The size of the idol shrunk within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, according to sthala puranas. It is believed that he Parasurama temple as the head part of Anantha Padmanabha Swami, Thiruvananthapuram has 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.

   This temple is actually situated at Thiruvallam in Thiruvananthapuram city on Kazhakkuttam-Kovalam by-pass road. The temple is located at the ‘Triveni Sangama’ of rivers Karamana, Killi and Parvathiputhanar. The main speciality of this temple is that, it is a Trimurthy temple where Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma have separate shrines.