The presiding deity of the Janardhana Swamy Temple is Sri Janardhana Swami. It is the only shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The god is seen in a standing position facing the east. His right hand is in a place as if he is performing "Aachamanam". His right hand is close to his mouth and legends mention that if the deity's hand goes further near to his mouth, the world will come to an end. Sub-deities worshipped in the Janardhana Swamy Temple are Ganapathi, Shastha, Shiva, Chandikesha, and Hanuman. A ten-day festival with Arattu is conducted in Meenam month on the day of Uthram.
Janardhana Swamy Temple is perched on the seashore in Varkala. The idol, including the lotus-shaped platform, is about six feet high. Four poojas are conducted in a day abiding by Cherumukku tantric - chief priest.
Temple is renowned for its splendid architecture. In the temple premises, you will find the painted idols of Hanuman, Lord Shiva and Garuda. The ceiling of a square-shaped pavilion in the temple has wooden carvings of Navagrahas.
Annually during March–April, a ten-day Arattu festival is celebrated at the Janardhana Swamy Temple. The festival commences with a Kodiyettam flag hoisting ceremony and ends with a procession of five caparisoned elephants. During the fourth and fifth day of the festival, there night long performances like Kathakali dancing. The holy bath of the Lord is conducted on Uthram in the Arabian sea at the back of the temple. Along with this festival, the days of the appearance of Lord Vishnu’s avatars are also celebrated in the temple. Thiruvonam star, Ekadashi and Thursdays are considered important, since the particular days are dedicated to Lord Vishnu.