This ancient temple is at Venjaarammoode, on the eastern side of the Thiruvanathapuram-Kottayam state highway.  The name Manikkode means where Ruby (Maanikyam in Malayalam) is in abundance. There are many legends about the origin of this temple. One of them refers to a Yogeeswara, who came from the north. He built a hermitage in this place, a forest in those days. He consecrated a Shivalinga here for worship. He left the place after some years. A Brahmin family that came here later recognized the presence of the effùlgence of Siva here. They cleared the place and started worshipping there. Another legend says that the idol was more consecrated by Parasurama as one of the 108 temples. Maharaja Marthandavarma of Travancore, on coming back after victory over Deshinganadu, ordered the renovation of all the temples that had become too dilapidated to be used for worship. Manikkode Mahadeva temple was renovated at that time. But the structure fell after some time. In the second half of the previous century, Sri. K. Raman Pillai, a native of Venjarammoode and one of the founders of the B J. P wrote to the Hindu Maha Sabha and got Rs.5000 for the reconstruction of the temple. The renovation was carried out under the leadership of M. Parameswaran Pillai. He put in more than twice that amount from his pocket. He got wood from his property for use in the temple. Devotees vouchsafe for the results of ardent devotion. The Sivarathri celebrations here have become a big event.