Adikeshava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar

Adikeshava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar-Kanyakumari District-Tamilnadu

History and Legends

As per the legend , a yajna was being conducted by Lord Brahma. Because an error in the conduct of the yajna,two demons, Kesan and Kesi emanated from the fire and they started causing all sorts of troubles for the Sages and Devas. The devas under the leadership of Lord Indra came to Lord Vishnu (Perumal) for protection. Lord Vishnu protected the sages and devas by killing Kesan. Since Lord Vishnu (Perumal) destroyed demon Kesan, Lord Vishnu came to be known as Kesava Perumal also. Kesi tried his best to escape from the Lord Vishnu (Perumal) using his 12 hands but Lord Vishnu (Perumal) put 12 Rudrakshas in his hand and foiled his escape bid and is believed to have used Kesi as a pillow for his bed.This is represented by the the 12 Shiva temples that came into being around Tiruvattaru. Kesan’s wife, to take revenge of the killing, called Rivers Ganga and Tambiraparani to help her and they came as a flood to wash off Lord Vishnu. At this juncture Mother Earth intervened by raising the ground level where Lord Vishnu (Perumal) was reclining. Thus both rivers Ganga and Tambiraparani had to go around Lord Lord Vishnu (Perumal) and had to flow in the form of a garland. The event has been mentioned in Nammalvar’s Mangalasasanam hymn.

Main and Sub deities 

Lord Adikesava Perumal is the presiding deity and graces in a reclining form. The deity has its head and feet in the South-North directions respectively. Maharshi Hadhaleya is near the head of the Lord. Mother Maragathavalli Nachiar graces with Lord.The procession deity in a standing form graces with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Garuda, Sun, deities of the five weapons (Panchayudha), demons Madhu and Kaidaba are in the sanctum sanctorum. 

Salient Features

The Presiding deity of Lord Adikesava Perumal faces the west with his left hand hanging and the right hand assuring the devotee – Abhayahastha which makes it a rare form.

It is believed that the deity Lord Adikesava Perumal is facing west to face Lord Anandapadmanabaswami at the Shri Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

There is no Lotus or Brahmma on the naval of the deity of Lord Adikesava Perumal 

Onam, Aipasi Brahmmotsavam in October-November, Purattasi Saturdays in September-October, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

It is believed that the devotee worshiping Lord Adikesava Perumal here would have no further births. 

Setting rays of Sun fall on the deity of Lord Adikesava Perumal in Panguni (March-April) from 3 PM to 9 PM and from 3 PM - 9 PM in the month of Purattasi (September-October).

The idol of Perumal in Bhujangasana is of 22 feet and is made of a mixture of materials called Kadu Sarkarai Yogam with 16,008 Salagrama stones (stones with Narayana forms).

During Shivrathri, devotees run to cover all the 12 Shiva temples and end the prayer with Lord Shiva at the feet of Adikesava Perumal.

Dos and Don’ts

The devotee has to worship Perumal through three entrances. 

Those on a pilgrimage to the 108 Divya Desa’s are advised to worship Lord Adikesava Perumal before proceeding to Thiruvananthapuram to worship Lord Anandapadmnabaswami.

How to get there

Adikeshava Perumal Temple is situated at Thiruvattar, in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. You can access this temple both by rail and road. The nearest railway station is Kuzhithurai in the Thiruvanathapuram - Kanyakumari sector. 

The temple is located just 6 kms away from Marthandam, a town on the Kanyakumari-Trivandrum National Highway(NH 47).Bus services run by Kerala State Road Transport Development Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Development Corporation frequent thru Marthandam. Get down at Marthandam and take the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Development Corporation that frequents to Thiruvattar. 

The nearest airport is Thiruvanathapuram which is approximately 30 kms from this temple.