Thiruvattaru Divyadesam Sree Adi Kesava Perumal Temple is located about 30 KM from Nagercoil on the way to Trivandrum. Moolavar Adi Kesava Perumal is blessing in His Grand Reclining Posture facing west and setting His eyes on Trivandrum Anandha Padmanaba Swamy Temple. He is blessing in the Gigantic form among the Almighties in all 108 Divyadesams. The Unique feature here is the Almighty is facing West with His Left Hand hanging down towards the ground and His Right Hand with His Abaya Hastham.

Thiruvattaru Divyadesam - Sree Adi Kesava Perumal Temple - Parasurama Kshetram - The History

Once due to a mistake happened in the yagna conducted by Lord Bramma Devar, two demons named Kesan and Kesi came out from the fire of the yagna. They troubled all the sages and Devas. They surrendered themselves to Paranthaman and requested for his help. Paranthaman killed both Kesan and Kesi and used as His Pillow. Demon’s wife to avenge the Almighty requested the help of River Ganga and Caivery. They came in spate to wash off the Almighty. But Bhoomidevi Nachiyar simply raised the ground level where Adi Kesava Perumal was reclining. Both the Rivers went around the Almighty, prayed Him and continued their flow as two garlands. This was explained in Nammalwar’s Hymns. As the Almighty killed the demon Kesan, He is being worshipped as Kesavan. Kesi tried his best to get escaped from the Almighty with his 12 hands. But Adi Kesavan put 12 Rudrakshas in his hand and blocked his escape. 12 Shiva temples came out from those 12 Rudrakshas around Tiruvattaru. During Shivrathri Festival, devotees cover all these 12 Siva Temples and complete their prayers with Lord Shiva at the feet of Adikesava Perumal. This procedure is being continued even today.

The statue of Adi Kesava Perumal is made out of materials called Kadu Sarkarai Yogam with 16,008 Salagramas. Devotee have to worship the Almighty through three entrances. Utsavar is in His Standing Posture graces with His Consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. It is very unique here that there is no Lotus or Lord Brahmma Devar on the naval of Lord Maha Vishnu. Hence it is strongly believed that devotee worshipping Adi Kesava Perumal here would have no further births. Periya Thiruvadi Garudalar, Deities of Panchayudham, Demons Madhu and Kaidabar are seen in the sanctum sanctorum. On the 3rd and 9th day of Tamil Months of Purattasi and Panguni Sun’s rays directly falls on the Almighty as a mark of worship by Sun God toards Adi Kesava Perumal. The temple is older than Trivandrum Divyadesam and Adi Kesava Perumal is being worshipped as Elder Brother of Anandha Padmanaban of Trivandrum. Hence its is also known as Aadhi Anandhapuram and Chera Naattu Srirangam. The Famous Kerala Festival Onam, Brahmmotsavam Festival in the months of October and November, Vaikunda Ekadasi Celebrations are some of the familiar festivals celebrated in a grand manner here in Thiruvattaru Divyadesam. Thayar is Maragadhavalli Nachiyar and Padmini Devi Nachiyar. Temple Vimanam is Ashtanga Vimanam, Ashtakshara Vimanam. The Temple Pushkarini is Kadalvai Pushkarini and Sree Rama Theertham. The Kshetram is Parasurama Kshetram.