The Avanamkode Saraswathy temple is located close to Kaladi, the birthplace of Adi Sankara, beside the river Periyar. It is one of the 108 Durga temples. The self-originated (swayamboo) deity of Sree Saraswathi Devi is the most important speciality of this temple. It is believed that this temple is more than five thousand years old. A mysterious deity of self-origin was found in a barren land belonging to Elavana Bhattathiripad. The place was adjacent to Moothamana and it was made sacred by the incantations of Vedic mantras. The divine Irulu Bhattathiri realized that the idol was that of Devi Saraswathy. He started propitiating the more Goddess. His first offering was jaggery. Even now the worship by Irulu Bhattathiri family lineage and the offering of jaggery is the Goddess' favourite. Later Elavana Bhattathiri left the place leaving his property and earthly possessions to Moothamana. Therefore, the temple is now under the possession of Moothamana. The administration of the temple has been transferred to the Kerala Uranma Devaswom. The divine Moothamanakkal Battathiripad who has risen to an exalted state by his study of the Vedic mantras completed the building of this great temple. That this temple has a hoary past and is one of the great temples is borne out from numerous facts. The foundation of the Sanctum Sanctorum is lower than the holy surroundings. It is impossible to lower the holy surroundings because the self-origin deity is expanded to the holy surroundings. Also, the temple well for ablutions is in the wrong spot. The sculptural works, including Salabhanjika of the sanctum sanctorum made of sedimentary rocks, have fissures and have been given a powder coating of the same material. It is said that the structure was damaged during the invasion of Tipu Sultan. The oblong raised platform for worship and the oblatory idol in the northeast of the temple have suffered damages due to the process of withering. Due to the expansion of the deity everywhere, the Dwaja Prathishta (placing of flag-mast) has not proceeded further. At this temple, when the constellation of Karthika appears in the zenith simultaneous with the constellation Thrikarthika during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, is considered very auspicious. The practices followed from the very early days of this temple are even now followed. The festival of lamps during Karthika when the Divine halo spreads its munificent brightness heavenwards is also given due importance. The divine blessings of the supreme manifestation are obtained by the Darshan and all the longings, both spiritual and materialistic, of the worshipper are granted as boons. Navarathri: From the first day onwards, the celebrations begin. Laksharchana, Sree Bhagavata Sapthaham, devotional songs, and hymns are all conducted. The Divine Mother's devotees throng the temple premises to celebrate the universal creative force. Of the 108 Durga temples, one like this is scarce to come by. It is believed that the speech faculty of a person can be improved by offering prayers at this temple during the Navarathri days. Children can improve their memory and knowledge by conducting Saraswati worship, having the Prasadam and Saraswathagritam. The debut performance of children practising music is also popular in the temple. The initiation of hundreds of children into the world of learning by great scholars is also a practice followed in the temple each year. It is believed that if the Saraswathagritam is consumed with tulsi leaves for twelve continuous days after the initiation into learning, Goddess Saraswati is sure to bless the child. The 10 days festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam and the Aarattu is conducted on the Uthram star. The pooram on the sixth day of the festival is very well-known. The procession of fifteen elephants, the melam and the panchavadyam led by leading musicians all added to the festival's fame in the days of yore. Even now the Avanamkodu festival is conducted on the same grand scale. The Saraswatiyamapooja during Brahma Muhurtham and daily initiation ceremonies into learning add to the specialities of this temple. To get faculty to speak there are special offerings. Pooyam in the month of Mithunam is celebrated as Devi's birthday. The devotees along with the Uranma Devaswom Board look after the upkeep of this holy place. An advisory committee selected from among the devotees gives full cooperation to the temple activities. The temple is situated just 5 km from the Parambayam junction on the Aluva-Angamaly route and hundreds of devotees throng here every day for divine blessings. It is also very near to the international airport at Nedumbassery, being just 2 km away from it. The temple can also be accessed through Athani-Airport road, just 1 km away after Railway Bridge.