The Srivanchiyam Karthikai Festival (Yama Dheertham)
The only temple for Yama, the kshetra has been praised in songs by the Saivite saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar Arunagirinathar and Muthuswamy Dikshitar. It finds mention in Skandapuranam, Brahmandapuranam and so on. Hailed as the place where sins melt away, legend has it that Ganga, which is believed to purify souls comes here to cleanse herself. The water therefore is known as Guptaganga. And Yama takes a dip in the temple tank, offers prayer to the deity and carries him on his shoulder. Worshipping him here is said to rid the mind of fear regarding death.