Thiruvattaru Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Kanyakumari

Address

Thiruvattaru Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, Temple Road Kalkulam, Kulasekharam, Taluk, Thiruvattaru, Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu 629171Phone: 04652 241 270

Deity

Adi Kesava Perumal, Amman: Maragatha Valli

Introduction

• Adikesavaperumal Temple is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvattar, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India.
• It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu temples praised in Tamil hymns from the 7th and 8th centuries CE.
• Among the thirteen Divya Desams of Malai Nadu.
• The temple is surrounded on three sides by rivers:
  • Kothai River
  • Pahrali River
  • Thamirabarani River
• Formerly the Rajya Temple and Bharadevatha shrine of Travancore.
• After state reorganization, the temple was transferred to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (H&RCE) Department.
• The deity Ananthapadmabhan (Adikesava Perumal) is believed to be older than the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Referred to as “The Srirangam of the Chera Kingdom” because Vishnu is reclining here and is surrounded by rivers.
• Location:
  • 6 km northeast of Marthandam
  • 30 km northwest of Nagercoil
• Name Origin:
  • The Paraliyar River takes a turn in this area, forming a circular flow (Vattaru in Tamil).
  • When the temple was built, the place became known as Thiruvattaru.

Puranic Significance

• Legend of Kesan and Kesi:
  • Lord Brahma performed a Yaga (sacrifice) without Saraswati Devi.
  • Due to Saraswati’s anger, two demons (Kesan and Kesi) emerged from the fire and troubled the three worlds.
  • The Devas sought Lord Vishnu’s help.
• Defeat of Kesan:
  • Vishnu, in the form of Kesava Perumal, fought and defeated Kesan.
  • To secure him, Adisesha coiled around him.
  • This led to the deity being called Adi Kesavan.
• Revenge of Kesi and Kothai:
  • Kesi and her friend Kothai transformed into rivers to flood the temple.
  • Bhoomi Devi (Earth Goddess) raised the temple above the waters.
  • Today, the temple stands 55 feet above ground level, surrounded by the rivers Parali and Kothai.
• Sacred Rituals:
  • The rivers repented and were forgiven.
  • Perumal took a dip in Moovaatru Mukham, where the rivers join the Arabian Sea.
  • Even today, during Panguni Utsavam, Perumal re-enacts the Shapa Vimochana (curse redemption) by taking a dip in the river on a golden Garuda.
• Shivalaya Ottam & Maha Shivaratri:
  • The temple is surrounded by a protective necklace of Shivalingams.
  • During Maha Shivaratri (March), pilgrims visit these shrines while chanting “Govinda” (Vishnu’s name).
  • The Shivalaya Ottam pilgrimage is considered complete only after visiting this Perumal temple.

Special Features

• Opposite-facing reclining deity:
  • One must climb 18 steps to reach the sanctum of Adi Kesava Perumal.
  • The 22-foot-long deity is made from 16,008 Saligramams.
  • Unlike other reclining Vishnu idols, Adikesava Perumal is seen facing west, with:
    • Head in the South
    • Feet in the North

Festivals

• Panguni Utsavam – 10-day festival in March/April
• Aipasi Festival – 10-day festival in October/November
• Avani Thiruvonam – 12-day Kalapa Pooja festival in January/February (Thai month)

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvattaru

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvananthapuram

Nearest Airport

Thiruvananthapuram

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