25th January 2020.
The visit to this Adhikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattar(u) in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24th to 26th January 2020. The second day’s last visit was to this temple. This is one of the 108 Divya Desam and one of the Malai Nadu ( Kerala ) Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Adhikesava Perumal. The river Paraliyar changes its course as circle ( Vattam –வட்டம் ) in this place, hence this place is called as Thiruvattar adding Thiru ( holy ) prefix. ( please read the legend also ). Mangalasasanam was done by Nammalwar.
வாட்டாற்றானடி வணங்கி மாஞலப் பிறப்பறுப்பான் கேட்டாயே
மட நெஞ்சே கேசவன் எம்பெருமானை பாட்டாய பலபாடி
பழவினைகள் பற்றறுத்து நாட்டாரோடு இயல்வொழிந்து
நாரணனை நண்ணினமே.
...........நம்மாழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sri Adhikeasava Perumal.
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is on the elevated level/ hill and facing west. It has entrances on east and west side. Devotees used to enter on both side. The sanctum sanctorum is of rectangular shape, to accommodate Sri Adhikesava’s reclining posture on Adhisheshan. Moolavar is made of Kaduku (mustard ), Chippi ( Lime powder ) and Sarkara ( jaggery ). It was told that 16008 salagrama is in side the idol. Moolavar is about 18 feet. So abhishekam is not done to the moolavar. Along with molar are, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Madhu& kaidabars, There are three openings in the sanctum sanctorum. Head, body and foot are seen through these openings. The sanctum sanctorum has koshtas with out images.
In the mukha mandapam reliefs of various deities on the wooden pillars. Ashtadikpalakas are on the ceiling. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam are in front of the mukha mandapam. Arjunan, Karnan, warriors, Gangalar, Rathi, Manmathan, Pichadanar are also in the mukhamandapam. Since the temple is under palalayam, Poojas are conducted to Urchavars kept in the inner prakaram. In the outer prakaram Dharmasatha and Vaattakni nathar.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum was built during 7th to 8th Century by the Aay Kings. The sanctum sanctorum is on the simple pathabhanda adhisthana with tripatta kumuda. Bhootha ganas are in the valabi. The temple has inner and outer prakaram built in Kerala style. The outer parakaram was built in 16th to 17th Century. It is awesome to see the Pavai vilakku / females holding the lamp statues are on the pillars. The pillars has various bas-reliefs which includes, vaishnava deities, birds, motifs, animals, erotic sculpture, etc,. Believed that this temple was constructed similar to Sri Anandapadmanaba Swamy Temple, but not to that size ).
The Sanctum walls are with various paintings like, Gajalakshmi, Narasimha, and Vishnu’s various avatharas. The balipedam is little tall with Krishna / Kanna playing the flute and the calf are drinking milk from other mothers.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Even-though the temple is under the control of HR& CE Department, the functions and poojas are done as per Thiruvithangur Maharaja’s decisions. Venattu kings worshiped Lord Adhi Kesava Perumal as their Kula theivam. The poojas are not as per Thanthrika agama. Brahmins are not eligible to carryout the poojas and poojas are done by the Pothimars.
The temple has Kulothunga Chozha-I’s inscription with his meikeerthi. Apart from Chozha King's inscriptions, Veeramarthanda Varma (510 – 519 CE), Veera Kerala Varma ( 519 – 550 CE ), Sempalathitha Varma ( 612- 646 CE), Kulasekara Perumal ( 644-659 CE) and Unni Keralavarma ( 734 – 753 CE ) period inscriptions, once recorded are missing during renovations.
A 11th Century inscription records the paving of steps by Varadhapattar. The 17th Century inscription mentions only the year.
LEGEND:
Due error in the Brahma’s Yajna, two demons called Kesan and Kesi came out. They gave troubles to Devas and Sages. When they complained to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu killed Kesan and kept Kesi as pillow. The demon’s wife sought Ganga and Tambiraparani’s help to destroy Lord Vishnu. When the two rivers came in spate, Mother earth raised the level and the rivers flowed like a garland ( Circle ) around him. When Kesi tried to escape from Vishnu’s 12 hands, Vishnu held Kesi in between 12 Rudrakshas, which latter turned to 12 Shiva Temples around Thiruvattar. Shiva Devotees used to run and pray all the 12 temples on Maha Shivrathri day. Since Lord Vishnu destroyed Kesan, he is being called as Adhikesava Perumal.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The landline +91 4652 241270 my be contacted fro further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The place Thiruvattar is 6 KM from Marthandam, 30 KM from Nagercoil, 50 KM from Kanyakumari, 110 KM from Tirunelveli, 280 KM from Madurai and 725 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Nagercoil.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
PC: Google map
Pillar reliefs
Pillar reliefs
Dwarapalakas at the mukhamandapa
Rathi and manmathan
Ceiling panel
Sanctum wall painting
Inscription
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ----
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