AN ANCIENT TEMPLE WITH ASTANGA VIMANAM

   

The Divya kshetram TIRUVATTAARU is located near Kanyakumari on the way to Trivandrum. The presiding deity is Adikesava Perumal in a reclining posture and the Goddess is Maragathavalli. The sacred water is Vattar and the sanctum sanctorum is Astanga Vimanam.

The sthala purana is that the Lord defeated the demon Adikesi. Kesi's wife prayed Ganga and Tamirabharani rivers and created a deluge. Finding it has no effect on the Lord she surrendered to Him. Since the rivers formed a circle (vattam) the kshetram gained the name Tiruvattaru. The presiding deity is viewed through three openings in the sanctum.

Though there is similarity with that of the presiding deity of in Thiruvananthapuram, the Sivalingam is seen here at the feet of the Lord instead of at the head in Thiruvananthapuram. The presence of Brahma at the navel of the deity is absent in this temple.