Adikesava Perumal Temple – Thiruvattaru

Travel for 45 km from Kanyakumari, to reach Thiruvattaru, where the sacred Hindu temple Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple is located. The temple holds the prestige of being among the 108 Divya desams of Sri Vaishnavas. The holy temple is dedicated to Sri Adikesava Perumal, literally meaning ‘Foremost Friend’. The temple holds many religious stories of behinds existence. It shows a beautiful Dravidian style of architecture enhanced by wooden pillars, doors, and roofs. The idol of the presiding deity poses in reclining posture along with Goddess Maragathavalli Nachiar. The idol of the lord stretched to 22 feet. The idol of which is made up all of the mustard, lime powder, and jaggery. The idol of the lord has resemblance with that of the Padmanabham swamy of Trivendrum. It also can be seen through seen doors as the god lying on his snake couch.  Also a Shiva lingam accompanies the lord inside the sannidhi. The uniqueness and the attractions of the temple are-

• Its 50 inscriptions depicting the contribution of Kulothunga Chola I to this temple.
• The stunningly carved sculptures on the pillars of the temple.
• The Ottakkal mandapam, which measures 18 feet width and 3 feet height, carved out of single piece of stone, during 12th Century AD.
• The Udaya Marthanda mandapam, having exquisite wooden carvings depicting the wedding procession of Lord Ganapathi.
• The corridors with 222 salabhanjikas are also worth appreciation.
• The temple sees mesmerising phenomenon in March-April and in September-October, when the rays of the sun fall directly on Lord Adikesava Perumal.Festivals- The temple commences grand celebration on Vaikunta Ekadasi.