Thiruvattar

Thiruvattar

108 Divya Desam, Kanyakumari District

God

Adikesava Perumal, facing west

Goddess

Maragathavalli Nachiyar, facing east

Other Deities

Garuda, Anjaneya, Krishna, Sastha

Thiruvattar is a large east facing temple where the Sanctum Sanctorum is west facing. The lord Adikesava Perumal is a large idol in lying posture seen through 3 doors similar to that of the Padmanabaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Both the deities are considered to be connected as they are lying down in facing directions. The sanctum sanctorum is in typical Kerala Style with tiled roofs, wooden pillars, doors and roofs. The Outer prakarams are constructed with stone. The carvings on the Pillars leading to Sanctum Sanctorum from the west are exquisite, intricate and massive. Some of them are Oorthuva Thandava Murthy, Veerabadhra, Venugopala, Pitchadanar, Manmatha, Rathi, Lakshmana and Indrajit. There are 3 Prakarams. The middle Prakaram has large and long corridors all around with subtly different lamp holding maidens on the pillars. These corridors should present a beautiful picture when the oil lamps are lit in the festival seasons. An Otraikal Mandapam (one stone Mantapam) is an important feature in the temple. There is a separate shrine for Lakshmi Narayana Perumal opposite on the east in the banks of the river.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kadalvay Theertham, Rama Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

Vimaanam – Ashtanga Vimanam

History

The Vaishnavite Saint Nammazhwar (one of the 12 Azhwars, 7th – 9th Century CE) has sung 11 hymns for the Lord here at Thiruvattar. The Travancore Kings and Vijayanagar Kings among others have contributed to the development and maintenance of Thiruvattar temple.

Legend

A demon called Kesi who was tormenting Sages was defeated by the Lord. The demon’s wife prayed to River Ganges, who along with the Tambiraparani river created a deluge by surrounding the temple (Vattam means circle, hence the name of the place), which had no effect over the Lord’s power. Realizing their fault they fell at the Lord’s feet and worshiped him here at Thiruvattar.

Directions

Thiruvattar is 6 kilometers northeast of Marthandam on the road to Kulasekaram.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Marthandam or Kulasekaram.

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