Adhikesava Perumal Temple, also known as Adikesavar Temple, is an ancient shrine situated at
Thiruvattar, in
Kanyakumari District of
Tamil Nadu. The temple is located near
Kuzhithurai, on the railroad between
Kanyakumari and
Thiruvananthapuram. The temple is an important center of worship in the state and is referred to as Aadi Anantam and Dakshina Vaikuntham. Adhikesava Perumal Temple has been glorified by a decade of 11 verses composed by
Shri Namm Alwar in the first millennium CE.
The temple enshrine Adhikesava Perumal (Lord Vishnu) as the presiding deity along with Goddess Maragatavalli. The deity is represented as an imposing image of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture facing west. As the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, the deity is viewed through three openings in the sanctum. Most noteworthy feature of the temple is that the rays of the setting sun illuminate the face of the deity. Also, on the 3rd and the 4th days of the Tamil month of Purattasi and from the 3rd to the 8th day of the Tamil month of Panguni the sun's rays fall on the feet of the deity.
Adhikesava Perumal Temple is built in Kerala style of architecture and the worship rules are also same as that of Kerala. The temple features many carvings in stones and wood. Though the deity is installed facing west, the main entrance of the temple is on the east. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Adi Kesava, Venkatachalapati, Thaayaar and Tiruvambadi Krishnan.
Adhikesava Perumal Temple features several inscriptions dating back to the period of Rajendra Chola (early 11th century CE). The circumambulatory passage around the sanctum boasts 224 granite pillars, each one carrying sculptured images of Deepa Lakshmi. The balipeetha mandapam features life sized images of Lakshman, Indrajit, Nagaraja, Vishnu and Lord Brahma, Rati and Lord Kama.
Situated in front of the sanctum is the Udaya Maartaanda mandapam with beautiful ornate woodwork. The carving of Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva performing Tandava Nritya is an eye catching one. The temple boasts a magnificent image of Lord Garuda made of gold inlaid with precious stones.
Adhikesava Perumal Temple mainly celebrated two annual festivals - the first one is organized in the Tamil month of Aippasi, where the Teerthavari (Aarattu) is held in the Tamiraparani River near the Shiva Tali. Golden Garuda Sevai is performed during both the festivals. Other festivals celebrated here include Vaikunta Ekadesi, Janmashtami, Aavani Tiruvonam and Kalabham in the month of Thai.
Kuzhithurai Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
