Malamel temple is located at Ambalapara, also known as Irumbazhi Kunnu, in Edamulackal village, around 16 km from Kottarakkara, in Kollam district, Kerala. The temple is located atop a rock and the rock is also known as Nadukanippara.
The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva – Shankaranarayana sankalpam. The darshanam of Shiva is towards east. There is also narasimha sankalpam which is towards west.
The temple has a vatta sreekovil – circular sanctum sanctorum. The main festival observed here is Shivratri. There is kettukazhcha on the festival day.
There is a 2 meter ditch on the north side of the temple known as Karakanda Kuzhi, the water never goes dry in the hole.
If one stands atop the rock one can see all the places around. There is a cave at extreme left of the temple believed to be filled with poisonous snakes.
The shrine is located atop a rock spread over eight acres and nearly 400 feet in height.
As per history, the temple belonged to Kadalayi Mana. The temple was renovated in 1954 CE.
There is also an Ayyappa temple atop the rock at 150 feet. This shrine does not have any roof. Lots of monkeys are found in this temple. It is said that originally there was only this Sastha temple atop the hill.