Adikesava Perumal Temple - Thiruvattar | 108 Divya Desam

Thiruvattar Adikesava Perumal Temple is Located near the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border about 6 km northeast of Marthandam town, this temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is one among the 108 divya desam temples of Vaishnavism. The temple is one of the 13 Malai Nadu (Kerala state) divya desams. Though this temple is geographically in Tamil Nadu state, the worship and construction of this temple are of typical Kerala style. The priests are from Kerala and the processions to the lord are done as per their norms. According to the legends, Lord Brahma performed a Yaga which he was not supposed to do without his wife Saraswathi Devi. As a result of Saraswathi’s anger, two demons named Kesan and Kesi emerged out of the sacrificial fire, to trouble the world. The issue was elevated to lord Vishnu for a solution.

Following an almighty battle, Lord Vishnu in the form of Kesava Perumal defeated Kesan. The Lord made him as a serpent bed and settled there. The lady demon Kesi, who had seen her brother Kesan defeated, wanted to avenge the lord. With her friend Kothai, they both took the form of rivers and surrounded the lord with the intention to submerge him. Bhoomi Devi (the earth Goddess) came to rescue the lord raising him quite above from the terrain. Today, the temple is surrounded by the rivers Parali and Kotha with the temple around 50 feet above the land. The temple is an excellent specimen of artistry from the Kerala blend, it epitomizes the will power. The speciality of this temple is that the two idols of Adikesava and Padmanabha face each other. The Supreme Lord Vishnu is seen resting on his snake couch, which is nearly 22 feet. The drive to this village adds charm to the sight.