Adhikesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar – History
The
entire present day Kanyakumari District formed part of erstwhile Thiruvithaamkoor
or Travancore Kingdom. Up to Marthanda Varma, all kings ruled the erstwhile Venadu
Kingdom (which was expanded by Marthanda Varma to form Thiruvithaamkoor) from
Padmanabhapuram in Kanyakumari District. It was Dharma Raja, the nephew and
successor of Marthanda Varma, who shifted the capital to Thiruvananthapuram.
Padmanabhapuram Palace, the erstwhile royal abode of Travancore Kings, is still
preserved in all its glory and is situated at Padmanabhapuram in Kalkulam Taluk
of Kanyakumari District.
Marthanda
Varma was a staunch devotee of Lord Adhikesava and used to worship at the
temple before all the major war campaigns undertaken by him. King Marthanda Varma
is said to have visited the temple and sought Adi Kesavan’s blessing before he
undertook the battle of Colachel. It has been over 400 years since the last Kumbabishekam
at this temple. Initiatives are currently on for the Kumbabishekam.