Thiruvattar Thiruvattar is situated 6 km north-east of Marthandam and 30 km north-west of Nagercoil (in Kanyakumari 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 is similar 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 in such a way that they face each other. The lord is lying on his snake couch and has to be viewed through 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 a yajna without Saraswati Devi and as a result of Saraswatis anger, two asuras (brother and sister) by name Kesan and Kesi emerged out of the Yajna agni (sacrificial fire). They were troubling the three worlds. The Demigods 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 top of 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 Shivalingams to stand as guard all around the asura and him. These famous Shiva Temples are

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 the occasion of Siva-ratri- the famous Shivalaya ottam is 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 dip in them. Even today, during Painguni 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 Arcot looted this temple and the golden utsava-murti . Out of contempt, he kept the Deity along with rubbish 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 Lord appeared in the dream of the temple priest and ordered him to go to Nawabs palace and inform the 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.

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 of BrahmaSamhita here.