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Thiruvattar

Thiruvattar is situated 6 km north-east of Marthandam and 30 km north-west ofNagercoil (inKanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu). River Paraliyar takes a turn in this place and diverges to

flow forming an Island and it is called vattaru and when the temple of Adikeshav Perumaal was

created it came to be known as Thriuvattaru.

Shri Adikeshava Perumaal temple

The temple is surrounded on three sides by rivers Kothai, Parali and Taamraparni.

This Temple is older than Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram. The structure issimilar to that of Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The style and the architechture of this temple is

taken as the sample to construct the Padmanabha Swamy Temple. The Deity of Adikesava

(Garbhodakshayi Vishnu) and Shri Padmanabha (Shri Kshirodakashayi Vishnu) are installed insuch a way that they face each other. The lord is lying on his snake couch and has to be viewedthrough three doors. We could see Lord Shiva near the Lord Adikeshava Perumal inside the

sannidhi (altar). This Deity Of Adikeshav is considered the Elder brother of Lord Anantha

Padmanabh Swamy in Tiruvananthapuram.

Legend

Lord Brahma performed ayajna without

Saraswati Devi and as a result of Saraswatis anger, two asuras (brother and sister) by nameKesan and Kesi emerged out of the Yajna agni (sacrificial fire). They were troubling the three

worlds. TheDemigods approached Lord Vishnu and requested Him to find a solution. Lord

Maha Vishnu in the form of Adi Kesava fought with Kesan. Lord threw Kesan who fell on topof Mahendragiri and lord blew His conch. Instantaneously, Adi Shesha wound himself around

Kesan thus disabling the asura to move and Lord immediately laid on Adisesha thus putting His

weight on the asura. When the asura tried to get out of Adi Sheshas coils, Lord made 12 Shiva-

lingams to stand as guard all around the asura and him. These famous Shiva Temples are

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Thirumala, Thikkurussi, Thrupparappu, Thirunandhikkara, Ponmana, Pannippakam, Kalkkulam,

Melankodu, Thiruvidaikkodu, Thiruvithamkode, Thiruppanrikkode and Thirunattalam. These are

situated at quite a distance from Adikeshav temple. Even today, the worship to Lord Shiva on theoccasion ofSiva-ratri- the famous Shivalaya ottamis said to be complete only when the Siva

devotee after visiting the 12 Siva shrines ends his trip in the Adikeshav Perumal Temple.

Meanwhile, Kesi who saw her brother defeated wanted to take revenge and hence she along with

her friend, Kothai took the form of rivers and encircled the temple with the intention of

submerging the temple. At that time, it is believed that Bhumi devi raised the temple at a height.Hence, the temple is situated at a height of 55 feet from the ground level. The image of the

Gopuram clearly indicates this. The rivers joined with Arabian Sea at a place known as

Moovaatru mukham. These rivers were then cursed by Lord to remain as sinful rivers and they

later repented for their action. The Merciful Lord forgave them and purified them by taking a dipin them. Even today, duringPainguni utsavam, Lords utsava-vigraha comes on a golden Garuda

and have a dip in the river thus enacting the Incident.

Allah Puja

In 1740 the men of the Nawab of Arcotlooted this temple and the golden utsava-murti . Out of contempt, he kept the Deity along withrubbish items in a godown. However every day, the Deity would automatically come on top and

in spite of being tied down with ropes, the Deity would every time come to the top. At that time,

the Nawabs wife developed serious illness which could not be cured by anyone. The Lordappeared in the dream of the temple priest and ordered him to go to Nawabs palace and informthe Nawab that if the Deity was returned, his wife would be cured of illness. The Nawab acted

accordingly and his wife was cured. The Nawab gifted a silver plate and a cup to the temple and

this is used at the time of Sheeveli puja everyday. He also provided the fund for conducting

annual puja, which is called Thiru Allah Pooja.

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The Thiru Allah mandapam within the temple is linked with this episode and is the place where

21-day Thiru Allah puja takes place even today.

Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited this place and found the ancient scripture ofBrahma-

Samhita here.