Sivalaya Ottam, literally means running from one Siva temple to another. The devotees take up a run during the Sivaratri every year. In this day, they worship in all the twelve temples covering a distance of 50 miles in a day. They start the marathon run from Thirumala Mahadevar temple and complete the run in Thirunattalam Mahadevar temple. They run holding a palm-leaf fan in their hand. They observe fast for a week before the day of the run. During the fasting period they eat tender coconut, tender palmyra (Nungu) during the day and tulsi and water in the night. Many of them chant Govindha Gopala while running.
Thirumalai, Thikkurichi, Thirupparappu, Thirunandikkarai, Ponmanai, Pannipakam, Kalkulam, Melankodu, Thriuvidaikkodu, Thiruvithancodu, Thriupannikodu and Thirunattalam are the twelve temples they visit during the Sivalaya Ottam.
