At Tiruvattaru in Kanyakumari district is the Adikesavaperumal temple, one of the 108 Divyadesam shrines. Eulogised by Nammazhwar, the over six metre long deity is made up of kadusakkarayogam containing 16,008 salagramams. There are separate shrines for Sri Krishna and Sastha.
The temple is on an elevated platform encircled by the Parali and Kodai rivers. It is referred to as Madakkovil, on the lines of Sri Rangam and Sri Rangapattinam in Mysore. Archaeological findings reveal that Kulothunga Chola I looked after the temple with great reverence.
The Venad kings later maintained the temple, the architecture revealing the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The stone and wooden sculptures are of high aesthetic value. The temple is designed in such a way that the rays of the sun from the third to ninth days of the Tamil months of Purattasi and Panguni touch the feet of the Urchavar idols.
The wooden carvings on the ceilings of the othaikkal mantapam and namaskaramantapa are exquisite. The murals on the walls have both religious and historic significance. The rituals and festivals are conducted on the lines of the Tiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy temple.
The temple, last refurbished by Vira Marthanda Varma (1595-1609), is in a bad shape. The renovation estimate is Rs. 2 crores out of which the Government has granted Rs. 50 lakhs. Funds are mobilised through the sale of tickets. Those who wish to contribute may remit money to all branches of SBT all over India A/C 57062320652. Cheques and drafts may be sent to the Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, In and Unincorporated Devaswoms, Suchindrum, Kanyakumari district. For details contact the Executive Officer 04652-241270.
