Historical temple, dravidan architecture. Currently the temple being renovated and main deity (Moolavar) is not allowed to be visited. Temple timing 5AM to 11:30 AM, 5PM to 8:00 PM. Moolavar made of salagramam. You can sit in the outer prakaram and relax / meditate. Similar to Trivandrum Sree Padmanaba swamy temple, see the moolavar through 3 doors. This Adi kesava temple is believed to be before brahma's birth, hence there is no Brahma in Nabi of Deity.
Route1.Kanyakumari—-Nagerkoil—-Thukalai—-Azhagiyamandapam—-Tiruvattar
2.Tiruvananthapuram—-Marthandam—-Tiruvattar
Alternately, Driving along NH 7 and then NH 47 on the Kanyakumari-Trivandrum highway take a detour and turn right on to the Colachel-Tiruvattar road at a place called Azaghiyamandapam. Tiruvattar is at a distance of 7 km. from here.
Inside the main shrine, the platform in front of Garba Graha and where the deity rests are both carved out of a single stone and hence called as Othakkal Mantapam. This Mantapam is rich in sculptures and mural paintings.
Ghee and oil lamps light up the inner Garba Graha. We are taken unawares in that first glimpse of the Lord. For a moment we are spell bound- the reclining image of the Lord is huge! We worship the Lord through three openings, the lord’s feet , then the lord’s right hand which is in Chin mudra and lastly His face, so serene and beautiful. Through the central opening we also see the Thayars, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi seated near the Lord, and the Utsava murthy. An image of Maharishi Hathaneya is seen near the head of the Lord. There is a Shiva lingam near the feet (paadam) of the Lord.On the wall behind there are deities carved within circles. The priest explains that they are the deities of the Panchayuda (five weapons) of Lord Vishnu.There is no Brahma or lotus on the nabi of Perumal. It is believed that those who worship Adi Kesava Perumal will have no future births.On leaving the main Shrine we worship next at a small temple to Tiruvampadi Sri Krishna built in the 12th century.
Route1.Kanyakumari—-Nagerkoil—-Thukalai—-Azhagiyamandapam—-Tiruvattar2.Tiruvananthapuram—-Marthandam—-Tiruvattar
Alternately, Driving along NH 7 and then NH 47 on the Kanyakumari-Trivandrum highway take a detour and turn right on to the Colachel-Tiruvattar road at a place called Azaghiyamandapam. Tiruvattar is at a distance of 7 km. from here.
Inside the main shrine, the platform in front of Garba Graha and where the deity rests are both carved out of a single stone and hence called as Othakkal Mantapam. This Mantapam is rich in sculptures and mural paintings.
Ghee and oil lamps light up the inner Garba Graha. We are taken unawares in that first glimpse of the Lord. For a moment we are spell bound- the reclining image of the Lord is huge! We worship the Lord through three openings, the lord’s feet , then the lord’s right hand which is in Chin mudra and lastly His face, so serene and beautiful. Through the central opening we also see the Thayars, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi seated near the Lord, and the Utsava murthy. An image of Maharishi Hathaneya is seen near the head of the Lord. There is a Shiva lingam near the feet (paadam) of the Lord.On the wall behind there are deities carved within circles. The priest explains that they are the deities of the Panchayuda (five weapons) of Lord Vishnu.There is no Brahma or lotus on the nabi of Perumal. It is believed that those who worship Adi Kesava Perumal will have no future births.On leaving the main Shrine we worship next at a small temple to Tiruvampadi Sri Krishna built in the 12th century.
