It is situated 34 km south of state capital Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, bordering Tamil Nadu.

A part of earlier generation of the population were involved in the collecting of palmyra nectar and fermenting to produce alcoholic drinks.

The typical nectar collected on pots from atop palmyra trees are also used for making 'karupatti' which is known for its medicinal properties.

Three generations before, the people of Parassala have achieved socio-economic development because of the establishment of various educational and health care organizations by various religious groups and government.

[3] Prominent educational institutions in Parassala are Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Evans Higher Secondary School, Teachers Training Institute, Government Women ITI, Saraswathy College of Nursing,[4] CSI Institute of Legal Studies, CSI B.ed College, Samuel LMS Upper primary school and Sree Krishna Pharmacy College.

• Parassala B. Ponnammal, recipient of Padma shri, an elderly woman who was the first female singer in the famous Navarathri Mandapam of Thiruvananthapuram during 2006 comes from this town.

Here the deity, Lord Siva is facing the west, which is considered as a rare phenomenon, and devotees even from far off places attend the worship.

The temple is centuries old and the structure is rare stone architecture and Parvathy devi and Vighneswara are the upadevathas.

The temple is famous for its rare rites and ceremonies and from time immemorial entry was allowed to all sects in the community irrespective of caste or creed and significantly arayas – a backward community have the privilege of participation for the commencement of important rituals in the temple from ancient times onwards and the Lord render blessings to all irrespective of caste, colour or creed.