* There is a presumption that the idol seen in the Ayyappa Temple in the south is that of Ayyappa as a householder with his wives Poorna and Push kala.
* The right leg put slightly forward in the case of the idol in the eastern shrine (Lakshmana) is considered as evidence to the story of Chakyar Koothu, as described earlier.
* Vilwadrinatha is mostly pleased with Archana done at his holy feet. So only the bare essentials required for the daily routine are taken inside. When subjected to astrological consultations, Laksharchana was not permitted in an open place in the premises of the temple where everybody might witness the function. So it is conducted at the lotus feet of the important deities inside the sacred shrines.
* It is well known that the power of the "Swayambhoo Vigraha" in the western shrine pervades the entire area, Malavattam. When the temple was renovated after the fire accident, the power of the deity was being reinvoked by 'Mantras'. The Tantri was a newly appointed priest. He could not do the 'Avahanakarma' successfully though he tried again and again. The tendency for urination came to him again and again and he came out several times very much worried. An old servant who had come with him enquired what the matter was. He reminded the Tantri that the old priest used to say that the whole Malavattam was to be taken as a unit while doing the Avahanakarma. His counsel was accepted and the work was completed quite satisfactorily.
* On the Ekadesi day, people belonging to all kinds of creeds come here in large crowds. They include excited young men and women as if possessed by spirits, those who massage their body with flaming torches, those who circumambulate the deities on nailed shoes, those who worship the Lord by beating 'Udukku' (a small kind of drum), and those who distribute crushed and rolled plantain fruits, chanting 'Govinda, Govinda'. Nobody creates any obstacle to any one for any of these. It is said that the display of all these denotes the joy in having been given a chance for all. It also reminds us of the 'Burning of Lanka' by Sri Hanuman.
* During the days of 'Mappila mutiny' (an agitation by the Mappilas of Malabar) a combined shouting was arranged here to protect the temple. All the employees of the temple who were staying there at night used to shout "Kavalkare", "Srambikkare" and" Ittiare" at ten O'clock at night from the north-east and south-east corners inside the compound wall of the temple. Some others used to shout back answering the call. This sound echoed in all the. places at Thiruvilwamala including Pampady and Chunkam.
* Sri Vilwadrinatha has been of help and protection to all who worship him with faith and devotion. It was in recent times that a devotee who was observing vow to go to Sabarimala reached the temple with his wife. He was praying with hands folded in front of the Swayambhoo shrine. The door was opened for Deeparadhana, and as soon as he had darsan of the Lord, he fell down and joined the almighty. Death without any difficulty occurred to old people like Narayana Poduval who was always in the vicinity of the temple chanting Ram nam. Mr.Krishna POduval who was an employee in the temple from his very childhood is another example.
* The sudden and easy death of Sri. Venketeswaran Master who used to plant peepul trees in the premises of the temple and spend a lot of time in falling prostrate before Vilwadrinatha praying, is a surprise to one and all.
* The Attakatha of Kharavadham is not played in this temple even now. Once, when Kharavadham was being played, the person who was enacting the role of Khara spoke beyond his limit ridiculing Srirama and others. Vilwadrinatha got angry and killed him. The sword with which the actor was beheaded was washed in a tank near Ganapathi Theertha in the valley of Vilwamala. It is known as "ValkazhukiyaKulam"( the tank in which the sword was washed) and the water still remains red in colour.
* There is a legend regarding the peepul tree growing in the south-west corner inside the compound wall. It is said that to see lizards on that tree is a blessing for the devotees. People believe that seing lizards on this tree is equivalent to seeing Guruvayoorappan and Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy.
* When Tippu Sultan attacked the temples in this area he looted the "Mannurkunnu" temple at Malesamangalam. After that while proceeding towards this temple he reached a banyan tree very close to the 'Mudiyazhichapara'. There was a huge army ready to face any attack, seeing which he turned back and ran away. That banyan tree is not there now. But the name "Tampuran tirinha aal" (the banyan tree which checked the progress of Tipu and made him turn back) still exists.
* The following facts and stories are seen narrated in the famous Sanskrit work 'Vilwadri Mahatmyam' or the Glory of Vilwamala, which is in the form of a conversation between Uma (Devi Parvathi) and Maheswara (Bhagavan Siva).
* The temple of Vilwadrinatha is the most important of all the 'Beejakshetras'. The 'Atma' (soul) passing through births and deaths according to 'Vasanas" or instincts finds it very difficult to take birth as a human being. To be born as human being and that too in India (Bharath) especially near Bharathappuzha is a rare privilege.
* The goal of Indian culture is to lead the living beings to the path of Salvation or Moksha. It'is believed that worship in temples can play an important role in attaining this goal.
* The tom pie of Vilwadrinatha is the foremost among such temples. This temple is accepted as the most important of all the Beejakshetras because the old men of knowledge knew that Vilwadrinatha, after nurturing these instincts of people assigns them proper circumstances to work them out and finally attain 'Moksha'.
* The forest around this place were inhabited by 'Kaattalas' (foresters) in ancient days. Once a Gandharva named Vichitra Veerya was grazing here in the form of a deer due to the curse of a Rishi. He could regain his original form only when he happened to fall and die in the premises of this temple struck by an arrow shot by a Kattala. It so happened that one of the Kattalas shot the deer and he died. Then the Gandharva appeared in his original form and blessed him. Because of this blessing, a daughter was born to him who finally turned out to be Sabari. The girl hated the ways of her tribe. She moved freely among the devotees in the temple premises and in course of time took birth as the famous 'Sabari' mentioned in Ramayana.
* Lord Vilwadrinatha shows very much interest in promoting the welfare of the people who worship him, without caring for anything else.
* If any death occurs in Malavattam, the Siveli in the temple is suspended until the body is removed. In addition to all these, people resort to the extraordinary practice of crawling through the cave Punarjani, near the temple, to get rid of the fear of rebirth. It is believed that a large spacious cave exists under neath the temple. The story goes that there is a golden Vilwam tree in the cave and those who eat the golden fruits of this tree will be able to attain a body of golden colour and lead a high spiritual life without the fear of any more births and deaths.
* A great sage called Sidhachara came to know about this tree from Sri Narada who was in the habit of wandering all over the universe. Sidhachara narrates the story of his visit to the temple to Bhadrasarma as follows: This area was under a prominent hunter named Sahyapala. Since the whole area was surrounded by thick forest and vigilant guard had been arranged, it was difficult to reach this place and find out the temple. After a long period of enquiry Sidhachara came to know that Sahyapala was seriously ill and disputes were on the way in search of his successor. Somehow he got friendly with Nisasoora, one of the faithful followers of Sahyapala, and made him believe that he had the spiritual power to save Sahyapala and bring him back to life even if he was dead. Sidhachara managed to bring him to a solitary cave and arranged a suitable place for his deep meditation. Strict sentry arrangements were made to avoid others' interference. When Sahyapala died, Sidhachara who knew the technique of 'Parakayapravesa' (spiritually entering the body of another person), kept his own body in a safe place inside the cave and entered the body of Sahyapala. He then came out of bve as Sahyapala recovered from his illness and took charge of administration of the forest area. (It is for the researchers to find out whether the cave mentioned above is same Punarjani cave). Sidhachara in the guise of Sahyapala announced that the Guru who brought him back to life was in deep meditation and sentries were alerted not to have any sort of disturbance there in any way. At times he entered his own body and moved about as sage Sidhachara. At last he found out the temple. He drove away all the hunters within a short period of his administration. It is believed that Sidhachara is still in good health and practicing penance at Sidhachalam. Bhadrasarma who came to know of the glory of this place from Sidhachara, reached Vilwadri and tasted the fruit of the golden vilwam. The story of Rishi Amalaka who came here hearing about the importance of this region is well known. It is said that the rakshasas who tried to disturb Amalaka in many ways were cursed to take the shape of rocks and this is how the Rakshasapara near the temple came into existence. The 'Swayambhoo' idol in the western shrine is that of Sri Mahavishnu (as He appeared before Rishi Amalaka) turned into a stone image according to the request of the Rishi to bless the devotees for ever. The Vishnu vigraha in the eastern shrine was installed by Parasurama who received it from his Guru Paramasiva. Bhuthanatha & Durgadevi who had accompanied Parasurama at that time settled down nearby below the temple. Sri Bhuthanatha controls the affairs of the temple while Durgadevi attends to the protection of the area. The day set aside for them to visit Vilwadrinatha without disturbing the premises is now celebrated as 'Parakkottukavu Vela'. Usually on this day Sri Durgadevi starts with the Bhutaganas in a procession, from the temporary shed built for 'Paana' (a religious ceremony) near Bhuthanatha or Kundil Ayyappa, and sits near 'Vaikaattirichira' and blesses all the living beings on that day.
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