At a separation of 7 km from Marthandam and 45 km from Kanyakumari, Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple is a Hindu sanctuary situated in Thiruvattaru. It is one of the 108 divya desams of Sri Vaishnavas and furthermore one of the famous spots of journey in Kanyakumari.
The sanctuary is devoted to Sri Adikesava Perumal, signifying 'First Friend'. As per the legend, Lord Adikesava vanquished the evil spirit Kesi. The evil presence's better half implored the River Ganges and River Thamirabarani and made demolition. They came in spate to wash off the Lord. Mother Earth basically raised the ground level where Perumal was leaning back. The two Rivers went round the Lord, implored Him and kept on streaming round as two wreaths. Subsequently, the development of the waterways made around came to be known as Thiruvattaru.
The sanctuary was worked in Dravidian style engineering with wooden columns, entryways and rooftops. The managing god here is in leaning back stance alongside Goddess Maragathavalli Nachiar. In spite of the fact that there are similitudes between the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, the Thiruvattar sanctuary is more seasoned. The immense symbol of the Lord remains at 22 feet, greater than Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. The managing divinity is made of mustard, lime powder and jaggery. The master is lying on his snake sofa and must be seen through three entryways. Adikesava Perumal's feet is on the left and head on the right; it is the invert in Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple. A Shiva lingam is arranged close Lord Adikesava Perumal inside the sannidhi.
There are near 50 engravings inside the sanctuary in both Tamil and Sanskrit including those identifying with Kulothunga Chola I and his commitment to this sanctuary. Notwithstanding the engravings, one additionally finds various staggering figures on the columns like the ones in Krishnapuram and Srivaikuntam. Another striking component is the Ottakkal mandapam outside the sanctum estimating 18 feet width and 3 feet tallness that has been based on a solitary stone in the twelfth Century AD. Udaya Marthanda mandapam has flawless wooden carvings and the feature is the wedding parade of Lord Ganapathi. The passageways have 222 salabhanjikas and are special. The beams of the sun fall straightforwardly on Lord Adikesava Perumal in March-April and in September-October.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is commended with grandeur and grandness. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Aval and Appam are tasty prasadams at this sanctuary. The pujas are done in an indistinguishable way from that of the Sri Padmanabhaswamy sanctuary, Thiruvananthapuram.
Visit Timings: 5 AM - 12 PM and 5 PM - 8 PM