Adikesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattaru

Sthala Purāṇam

The Adikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattar in Kanyakumari district enshrines Adikesava Perumal, Vishnu in a vast reclining posture, and is revered as a Dakshina Vaikuntham and a Parasurama sthalam. According to the sthala puranam, two asuras, Kesan (Kesi) and his companion, arose to torment the three worlds. The Devas appealed to Vishnu, who as Kesava engaged the demon in a mighty battle and slew him; the Lord then reclined upon the demon's body, while Adisesha coiled around to secure him. Because Kesi was able to touch the Lord's body even while fighting, he attained mukti upon being touched. The demon's wife, grieving, prayed to the rivers to rush forth and destroy the resting Lord; but the Perumal commanded Bhudevi to raise the ground so the waters could not flood it, and the rivers instead encircled him in worship. The rivers flowing in a circle around the shrine gave the place its name Thiruvattaru ('vattam', encircling water). The Lord is called Adikesava, 'the foremost Kesava.' The temple is held to have been consecrated by Parasurama and is mentioned in the Padma Purana; the Travancore ruler Marthanda Varma worshipped here. A Divya Desam, it was glorified by Nammalvar, who sang eleven pasurams in his Tiruvaymoli.

Plan your visit

📍 8.32972, 77.26583

Routes, distances, hotels and restaurants open in Google Maps with live data. Build a phased pilgrimage plan →