Thiruvattaru

This temple is one among the 13 malainadu divyadeshams .The Lord is named as Adi Kesava Swamy .

Legend says that Lord Adi Kesava Swamy defeated the demon Kesi. The demon’s wife prayed to the River Ganges and to River Thamirabarani and created a destruction . But it was in vain and she surrendered to the Lord. Thus, the formation of the rivers made in a circle came to be known as Thiruvattaru .

Located about 30kms from Nagercoil off Marthandam near the Kerala – Tamil Nadu border and one of the 13 Malai Naatu Divya Desams is the Adi Kesava Perumal Koil. This is one of the oldest temples in this region.

Though this Divya Desam is located in Tamil Nadu, there are no big temple towers that are typical of Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu. The temple has been built in typical Kerala style on a 3 acre land. All poojas are in Kerala style – Thaanthriga Vithi and the priest is from Kerala as well.

One has to climb 18 steps to reach the Adi Kesavan Sannidhi, where the 22 feet Lord, made out of 16008 Saligramams, is seen in a West facing Bhujanga Sayanam (seen sleeping in the opposite direction –Head in the South, Feet in the North).

This Maaru Sayanam of Lord sleeping from right to left is also seen in Thiruvekka in Kanchipuram .One has to climb 18 steps to reach the Adi Kesavan Sannidhi, where the 22 feet Lord, made out of 16008 Saligramams, is seen in a West facing Bhujanga Sayanam (seen sleeping in the opposite direction –Head in the South, Feet in the North).

This Maaru Sayanam of Lord sleeping from right to left is also seen in Thiruvekka See link

The temple is older than Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum (about 50kms from here). Adi Kesava Perumal is said to be the elder brother of Anantha Padmanabhan and hence, this place is referred to as Aadhi Ananthapuram. This temple is also known as Chera Naadu Srirangam .

Nammalwar has sung praising this Lord.

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