Adi Keshava Perumal Temple -Tiruvattar, Kanyakumari District

 Do you know, there is a temple dedicated to Anantha Padmanabha Swamy in Tiruvattar, Kanyakumari district similar to the one in Thiruvananthapuram.     Lord here is  known as Adikesava Perumal  and is believed to be very much more older than the Padmanabha Swamy of Thiruvanthapuram.

This temple was part of Kerala and was under Travancore kings but presently it is part of Tamilnadu  after State reorganization. This is one of the 108 divyadesham of Vishnu, Nammalwar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Adi Kesava here. Legend  also says that Lord  killed the demon Kesi and came to be known as Adi Kesava .There is lot of resemblance in pooja rituals of Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruvattar temples.

 Known as the Dakshina Vaikuntam,  one has to view the Lord through three dwaras akin to the Padmanabha temple.  it is said that both deities are reclining on Adisesha in respective temples  facing each other . This temple is surrounded by 3 rivers Pahrli, Kodhai and Tamirabharani,

One can view the  Lord; the saligrama sila only with the help of oil lamps in the sanctum and one may get a better view if one can have darshan from the raised platform outside  the sanctum. The Panchloha idols  were being worshipped outside and  we  could have beautiful darshan.

The temple is  a magnificent edifice and is on an elevated ground. One has to climb a few steps to reach the temple. The temple corridors on all four sides are lined on either side with  granite  pillars.

Beautiful murals and sculptures  from our puranas  decorate the walls and interior.  There is huge dwajasthambam as this a Mahakshetram and there is small shrine for Tiruvambadi Krishna. One can enter and exit the temple through East or West gate. 

Tiruvattar is a village panchayat and is 6 kms form Marthandam  in Kanyakumari district.

The temple surroundings are serene and very  clean. The peace and quiet one feels during the visit was a added blessing. 

Dress code -women can wear saris/chudidhars. Men can enter the inner precincts of the temple without shirts just like any Kerala temple. Those who plan  Kaniyakumari can definitely add this in their itinerary.

No Photography allowed inside the temple .

A few pictures from my recent visit.

                                                                   Western Gopuram

                                                                 Front side of the temple

                                                            Eastern Gopuram

                                                             The Banyan tree with Nagas 

                                                                         The main temple

Talaichanga Nanmathiam ,Sree Nanmathiya Perumal temple- Thalachangadu, Mayiladathurai, Divya desam

The historical name of this temple is Talaichangadu Nanmathiam believed to be more than 500 years old. ( Talai sangam refers to the first congregation of Tamil poets believed to have taken place near here.)

Legend:

Chandra worshipped Lord here to get relief from a curse  he had incurred and it is believed that  devotees worship Perumal  here to overcome  adverse aspects of moon.

In this temple we find the Lord in a standing position facing East  adorning a  crescent moon on his head  like Shiva and God here is known as Nanmathia Perumal  and Chandra Saabha Harar meaning one who relieved moon from the curse .

The Utsava Moorthy  is known as Vensudar and His consort is  Senkamalli Thayar. 

The vimanam above the sanctum is known as Chandra vimanam.

This temple , a divyadesam of Vishnu is  very small and Tirumangai Azhwar had extolled the virtues of Lord here by singing beautiful hymns.

This temple is situated in a perfect village setting with lush green fields and  coconut trees  in a very tranquil  atmosphere . One  gets  peace of mind here  in the  lap of divinity.

 I doubt if there are any  regular buses plying to this place. It is better to hire a cab to visit this place..

Worship here starts only at 9 am so plan accordingly .

Please check the temple timings provided below.

                                                

Sthalasayana Perumal ,Krupa Samudra perumal,Tirusirupiuliyur Divaya desam

Tirusirupuliyur divyadesam is the place where Lord Vishnu appeared  as Krupa Samudran and gave shelter to Adisesha when there was a fight between Garuda and Serpent God as to who provided better service to Lord. Finding Garuda to be little arrogant Vishnu ruled in favour of Adisesha. Fearing an angry reaction from Garuda he took shelter at this place. The God allowed him to coil below Him  and Garuda decided not to fly above this region.

As Adisesha is given a special place above Garuda this temple is also a place to worship for Naga dosha and kalasarpa dosha.

 This is also the place where Lord appeared as bala sayanam kolam to sage Vyagrapada understanding very well that  he would not be able to see the huge form of Lord because of his poor eye sight. Here in the sanctum we see a Bala Ranganatha.
Temple is near 17 Kms from Mayiladuthurai in a small village.

More details here

Sowrirajan Neelamegha perumal Thirukannapuram, Divaydesam, Nagapattinam district

This divyadesam of Lord Vishnu is situated in Tirukannapuram, a tiny village which is 35 Kms from the town of Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district.

This is  a Krishnaranya kshetram.

This temple is known as Bhooloka Vaikuntam as it is mentioned by Tirumangai Alwar and there is no traditional Swarga vasal here.

Pongal is the  daily night offering to the  Lord here. As per  the legend,  a chieftain used  to partake food only after worshipping and offering same to the God . Once he lost all his wealth and as he did not pay taxes to the king he was arrested. Lord appeared to king in dream and asked to release his devotee. When he reached home his wife offered him Pongal. The chieftain known as Munayadharian worshipped God and offered the Pongal to Lord.

Next day the priest found some Pongal sticking to the mouth of the deity here. From that day Lord here is offered Pongal and the neivedhya is known as Munyadhariyan Pongal.

The Nithya Pushkarni in front of  the temple is holy Tirtha and pitru poojas are conducted here on new moon day.

Moolavar here is known as Neelamegha Perumal and  the Utsavar as Sowrirajan as He has long hair. There's an interesting story regarding this.You may check details here. Devotees can view this during procession on new moon days.

It is also said there is continuous vibration felt in the sanctum.  You may find details in the same link I shared above.

Thiruvazhthanoor( Therazhandur) Devadiraja Perumal- Divya desam, Nagapattinam district

This divya desam is in a serene and peaceful village.

 Devadiraja Perumal is the Moolavar of this temple and Amaruviappan is the Utsavar.
This is a Krishnaranya kshteram.
As it was month of Margazhi we could see the presiding deity decked up in  stone studded crown, kavacham   with Sankha, chakra, mace, sword and the spear. we felt as if we are in the  sannidhi of  emperor of the universe. Blessed to see the Lord in this alankara as it was festival time of Markazhi.
Here we see God flanked by Garuda  and Prahlada,
Garuda is given a special status and a place inside the sanctum instead of his usual  seat facing the God outside the sanctum.
Amaruviappan or Rajagopala swamy  gives a beautiful darshan with a cow and and a calf with a staff in his hand.
As per the legend Brahma took all cows from Gokulam and hid them at this place.
When Krishna came to know he created same number of cows in Gokulam.
Realising his folly Brahma requests Krishna to give darshan at Triuvazhanthanoor .
Krishna appears as Amaruviappan ( one who is flanked by cattle)with a calf and a cow. A beautiful sight, a speciality of  this temple.

More details about this temple , check how this place came to be known as Therazhandoor
 This is the birth place of Kambar , the great Tamil poet.

The other Krishnaranya kshetrams are Thiru Kannangudi ,Kapisthalam,Thirukannapuram, Thirikannamangai. Shall post soon.

                                              

Tiruvaheendrapuram-Devanatha Swamy temple- Cuddalore - Divya desam

This  divyadesam of Lord Mahavishnu is situated in Cuddalore near Chidambaram.
Aheendiran  ( Ananda Azhvaan Adiseshan) worshipped Perumal here and the place came to be known as Thiru Aheendrapuram.

The serpent God Adisesha made a well in this sacred place by digging it with his  tail as per the instruction of Lord Vishnu as He was thirsty. This well, known as Sesha theertham can be seen in the outer prakaram of the temple. There is an idol of Adisesha on this well .  Read that devotees make offerings of milk, turmeric ,salt in the well akin to that is offered for serpents on anthill. But presently I saw this covered and locked. The water from this well is used for making Prasadam for the Lord here


 There is also a theertham brought here by Garuda which is a  free flowing river at the backside of the temple known as  garuda Nadi. Water from garuda nadi is used for Tirumanjanam.

 The Utsvar is known as Deivanatha Swamy.  Lord's consort is Hemambujavalli. There are shrines for Ranganatha Swamy ,Andal, Ganesha, Rama and  Rajagopala Swamy.

 Opposite side of the main temple there is a shrine for   Lord Hayagreevar which is situated on a small hill known as Oushadagiri. It is full of medicinal plants. It is believed that  when Hanuman carried the Sanjivini hill a small portion fell here, The  temple here is frequented by students as Hayagreevar is  embodiment of knowledge and learning.

It is believed Desikacharya stayed here for about 40 years doing penance in the  Oushadagiri hills . There are special niches here for the great Acharya and Manvala mamunigal .

More details here and here

Opening time 6 Am-11 Am

4.30 pm -8 pm.

                                                                      Garuda nadi

                                                        Hayagreeva shrine