DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Malai Naadu |
Malai Naadu | 12thVishnuSthalam |
Located
about 30kms from Nagercoil off Marthandam near the Kerala - Tamil Nadu border
and one of the 13 Malai Naatu Divya Desams is the Adi Kesava Perumal Koil. This
is one of the oldest temples in this region. Though this Divya Desam is located
in Tamil Nadu, there are no big temple towers that are typical of Divya Desams
in Tamil Nadu. The temple has been built in typical Kerala style on a 3 acre
land. All poojas are in Kerala style - Thaanthriga Vithi and the priest is from
Kerala as well.
History
& Legend:
Lord
Adikesava Perumal graces in a reclining form, longer than Lords of this form in
the 108 Perumal shrines. He is facing west, his eyes set on Tiruvananthapuram
Lord Anandapadmanabaswami. It is a rare form that Perumal facing west with His
left hand hanging and the right assuring the devotee – Abhayahastha. His head
and feet are south-north directions respectively. Mother Maragathavalli Nachiar
graces with Lord.
Due
to an error in the conduct of a yajna by Lord Brahmma, two demons appeared from
the fire – Kesan and Kesi. They caused all troubles to Sages and Devas. They
came to Lord Vishnu for protection. Lord killed Kesan and used Kesi as a pillow
for his bed. The demon’s wife, to avenge the Lord, called Rivers Ganga and
Tambiraparani to help her. They came in spate to wash off the Lord. Mother Earth
simply raised the ground level where Perumal was reclining. Both Rivers went
round the Lord, prayed to Him and continued to flow round as two garlands. This
event is mentioned in Nammalvar’s Mangalasasanam hymn.
As
Perumal destroyed demon Kesan, He is named Kesava Perumal. Kesi tried his best
to escape from the Lord with his 12 hands. Lord put 12 Rudrakshas in his hand
and foiled his escape bid. 12 Shiva temples came into being through these
Rudrakshas around Tiruvattaru. During Shivrathri, devotees run to cover all the
12 Siva temples and end the prayer with Lord Shiva at the feet of Adikesava
Perumal. The practice continues even today.
The
idol of Perumal is made of a mixture of materials called Kadu Sarkarai Yogam
with 16,008 Salagrama stones (stones with Narayana forms). The devotee has to
worship Perumal through three entrances. The procession deity in a standing
form graces with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There is no Lotus or Brahma on
the naval of Perumal. It is believed that the devotee worshipping Perumal here
would have no further births. Garuda, Sun, deities of the five weapons
(Panchayudha), demons Madhu and Kaidaba are in the sanctum sanctorum. Maharshi
Hadhaleya is near the head of the Lord. Between the 3rd and 9th day of Puratasi
and Panguni, during dusk, Sun’s rays directly falls on the Lord inside the
sanctum, almost as a mark of respect from the Sun God to Adi Kesava Perumal.
The
temple is older than Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple in Trivandrum (about 50kms
from here). Adi Kesava Perumal is said to be the elder brother of Anantha
Padmanabhan and hence, this place is referred to as Aadhi Ananthapuram. This
temple is also known as Chera Naatu Srirangam.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Aadhikesava Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Maragadhavalli |
|
Theertham |
Kadalvai Theertham |
The
devotee worshipping Perumal here would have no further births.
Onam,
Aipasi Brahmmotsavam in October-November, Purattasi Saturdays in
September-October, Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the festivals
celebrated in the temple. Theerthavaari, is one of the grand utsavam done in
this sthalam. Pushpanjali is yet another important utsavam done in this temple
where lots of flowers are offered to the Perumal.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sthalam is situated next to Thoduvetti in Kerala. We can also reach this
sthalam by getting down in Thoduvetti while traveling in Bus which starts from
Trivandrum to Nagarkoil. After getting down in Thoduvettin, we have to catch
another bus and travel around 6 miles to reach this sthalam. There is no
lodgying facility. 30 kms from Nagarkoil.
Sri Aadhi Kesava
Perumal Thirukkoil,
Thiruvattaru,
Kanyakumari ,
Tamil Nadu - 629177.
LOCATION:
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