Uthrasreebali Festival- Thiruvalla

 The Sree Vallabha temple is situated in  Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District. The Uthraseebali festival is celebrated for one day on the Makayiram asterism in Meenam (The Bhagavathies from the near temples (Thiru Alamthuruthi, Padappadu, Karunattukavu) will proceed to the Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple on the eighth day of the festival falling on Uthram day. It is believed that these Bhagavathies are the sisters of Sreevallabhan. Their entries to the Sreevallabha Temple is through the north gate which is opened only once in a year to permit their entry.

Sreevallabha temple is one of the most important pilgrim centre for Vaishnavites all over India. Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, is performed almost all nights in this temple as offerings by devotees. Many foreigners here comes and research about Kathakali. It is interesting to note that the name Tiruvalla comes from the word "Thiru Valla Vazh", named after the river Manimala which was known as Valla puzha, suggesting that Tiruvalla was the mouth of river Manimala and hence was known as Valla vai(vai in old malayalam means mouth of river).Because of this Sri Vallabha temple was called "Thiru Vallavayappan" which later reformed as "Sri Vallabhan" Thiru Vallabha temple,

                Annually two festivals are held, one in February - March and another in March - April. The Sree Vallaba Temple governed a Vedic School with one thousand students and one hundred teachers. A granite pillar carved out of single piece with an image of Garuda on its top stands in front of the temple. The pillar, which serves as a flag staff, is 60ft high and is made of granite.