This is one of the important Ganapathi Temples of Kerala. The presence of divinity is the reason for the crowd of devotees visiting the temple. People belonging to all castes and creed visit the temple and have all their desires fulfilled. It is believed that 700 years ago people belonging to the neighbouring state of Chola-Pandya came over to Kerala and settled in various places. They brought along with them their own traditions and culture. They belonged to the Tamil Brahmin group. One such group settled in the Kollam town and there they constructed a small temple for Lord Ganapathy more in front of the present civil station. Initially some people belonging to the Tamil Brahmin family took care of the temple administration and the daily poojas. With the passage of time the Tamil Brahmins of Kollam city joined together and formed Kollam Brahmina Samajam and the Temple administration were handed over to the Samajam. For the past several years the Brahmina Samajam committee has been taking care of the temple administration. A Devaprashna was conducted in the Kottarakulam Sree Maha Ganapathy Temple and in 1985 with the construction of the Alankara Gopuram, the re-construction work was started. The re- installation of Sree Maha Ganapathy and Naga Raja was conducted by the Late Ambalapuzha Pudumana Illom Brahmasree Damodaran Namboodiri. Sree Dharma Sasta and Navagraha Idols were newly installed which increased the divinity of the temple. The Pooja methods of the temple are based upon the tradition and culture of the Tamilians by chanting Veda Mantras. It is quite different from the tradition followed by most of the temples of Kerala. The priests working in this temple have studied the Vedic Pooja methods from the Gurukulas of Tamil Nadu Veda Padashalas. In the month of Mithunam the installation festival is celebrated for five days ending during the star Chothi and in the month of Chingam the vinayaka chathurthi is celebrated for five days. During the festival days Poojas are performed according to the Vedic rites by Veda Pandits. Different types of Poojas like Mahasankalpa Pooja, Sree Rudra Pooja, Kalasha Pooja, Kalasha Abhishekam, Sahasranama Japam, Pushpa Abhishekam etc are performed. On important days Brahmachari Pooja, Gaja Pooja, Dhara Homam etc are also conducted.  During Vinayaka Chathuruthi and Prathishtha Dinam festivals, Prasada Oottu is provided for thousands of devotees. The Ashtha Dravya  Maha Ganapathi Homam is performed with 1008 cocunuts during the Vinayaka Chathurthi.  Laksharchana and Shasrakalasha pooja have also been performed for the past several years. Every month famous Pandits give spiritual speeches to the devotees.  Gajaraja Pooja is performed every year during Vinayaka Chathurthi and prathistha Dinam in front of the Sree Maha Ganapathy Sreekovil. Abhishekam is performed daily to the Navagrahas and Navagraha Shanti Homam, Kalashabhi-shekam etc are performed for devotees when requested. During Mandalakalam 41 days Abhishekam is performed with ghee for Dharma Shastha. In the month of Karkidakam, there is Bhagawathi Seva for 11 days. During Vijya Dashami, Pandits are invited to participate in Vidya Arambham. Sree Vidya Rajagopala Homam is also performed on this day for the welfare of students. Daily Ganapathy Homam,  Vadamala for Maha Ganapathy, Breaking Coconuts etc are performed for the fulfillment of desires. Other important offerings are Karuga Homam, Unniappam mothakam, Muzhukappu, Pushpa Abhishekam, Udayasthamana Pooja, Sahsranamarchana, Pushpajali etc.  For the Navagrahas, Navagraha Shanti Pooja, Navagraha Homam, Abhishekam, Rahukal Naranga Villakku and Niranjanam are performed.  Archana, Ghee Abhishekam etc are performed for Dharma Sastha.  Archana, Dhara, Noorum Palum etc are conducted for Sree Naga Raja. Apart from the religious rites and rituals carried out in a most upright manner upholding the cultural heritage of the temple, temple trustees are keen in rendering various philanthropic services like providing food, educational aid, medical aid etc. to deserving people of the locality without looking into the barriers of caste and religion. Also with the intention to provide opportunity to traditional music lovers to assemble together and develop their talents, every year Satguru Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana is being held in the temple auditorium where eminent musicians and stalwarts attend the Aradhana and pay their tributes to Sri Satguru Thyagaraja. The committee recently constructed a two storied building with all facilities to house vedic students, priests and devotees who come from other places to worship in the Temple. . This building situated very close to the Temple – named Kottarakulam Sree Mahaganapathy Veda Vidhya Bhavan is for making as a centre for teaching values of Hinduism and Sanathana Dharma to aspirants.