Adhikesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattar – The Temple
The
temple is surrounded on three sides by rivers Kothai, Parali and Tambraparani.
River Paraliyar takes a turn in this place and diverges to flow forming an
island and it is called Vattaru and when the temple of Adhikesava Perumal was
created it came to be known as Thiruvattaru. One must climb 18 steps to reach Sri
Adi Kesava sannidhi (altar). This Temple is older than Sri Ananta Padmanabha
Swamy Temple at Trivandrum (50 km from here). The structure of the temple is
like that of Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy temple at Trivandrum.
The
style and the architecture of this temple is taken as the sample to construct
the Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy Temple. Adi Kesava Perumal is said to be the
elder brother of Anantha Padmanabhan and hence, this place is referred to as
Aadhi Ananthapuram. This temple is also known as Chera Naatu Srirangam. Though
this Divya Desam is in Tamil Nadu, there are no big temple towers that are typical
of Divya Desams in Tamilnadu. The temple has been built in typical Kerala
style. All poojas are done in Kerala style – Thaanthriga Vithi and the priest
is from Kerala as well.
The
sanctum faces west, although the main entrance is on the east. The temple
stands at an elevation and is surrounded by fort like walls. A majestic towered
entrance is reached through a flight of steps. The flag staff of copper and
Dwajasthambam in the outer prakaram was built by the Travancore royal family. It
is an important center of worship and is also referred to as Adi Anandam and
Dakshina Vaikuntam. The temple is situated in a compound of 1½ acres.
It is
surrounded by a massive 30-foot tall wall. The temple architecture is Dravidian style architecture with wooden pillars, doors and
roofs. Going by extant legends, the temple is closely associated with the
famous Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Thiruvananthapuram Anantha
Padmanabha Swamy temple deity lies in the direction as to see the Thiruvattar
Adi Kesava deity. The main deity was originally covered with gold Kavacham in
which diamonds and other precious stones were embedded which the Kerala kings
had presented to the temple.
The lord
is lying on his snake couch and must be viewed through three doors. Presiding
Deity is seen in Bhujanga Sayanam in reclining posture facing west. As in
Thiruvananthapuram, the deity is viewed through three openings in the sanctum.
There is a Siva Linga at the feet of the Lord. Sri Devi and Bhu Devi
Thaayars or goddess are seated in the centre in front of Perumal or Vishnu. Lord
Adhikesava Perumal graces in a reclining form, longer than Lords of this form
in the 108 Perumal shrines. His eyes set on Thiruvananthapuram Lord
Ananthapadmanabhaswamy.
It is a
rare form that Perumal facing west with his left hand hanging and the right
assuring the devotee – Abhayahastha. His head and feet are
south-north directions respectively. The main deity here has a very
serene expression on his divine face, which gets accentuated in the light of
the ghee lamps. There are no electric lights inside the sanctum, and it is an
out-of-the-world experience to behold the Lord in the light of ghee and oil
lamps.
Mother
Marakathavalli Nachiyar graces with Lord. The idol of Perumal is made of a
mixture of materials called Kadu Sarkarai Yogam with 16,008 Salagrama stones
(stones with Narayana forms). Due to this, there is no abishekam (ritual
bathing) for the Lord at this Temple. The procession deity in a standing form
graces with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There is no Lotus or Brahmma on the
naval of Perumal.
It is
believed that the devotee worshipping Perumal here would have no further
births. Garuda, Sun, deities of the five weapons (Panchayudha), demons Madhu
and Kaidaba are in the sanctum sanctorum. Maharshi Hadhaleya is near the head
of the Lord. The sanctum has been designed so that the rays of the setting sun
illuminate the face of the deity in Panguni-March-April from 3 to 9 and from
3-9 in the month of Purattasi-September-October.
One must
climb 18 steps to reach the Adi Kesavan Sannidhi, where the 22 feet Lord, made
from 16008 Saligramams, is seen in a sleeping position in the opposite
direction – Head in the South, Feet in the North). This Maru Sayanam of Lord
sleeping from right to left is also seen in Thiruvekka in Kanchipuram.
The speciality
about this temple is Mother Maragadavalli Naachiyaar. The colour that is
related to Mother (Goddess Lakshmi) is yellow mixed with Red colour. But,
Maragadham (Emerald) (Green color) is related to Vaishnavi Devi. Because of
this, this temple Goddess is said to have the power of Vaishnavi Devi.
The
circumambulatory passage around the sanctum (Sri Balippuram) is lined with 224
granite pillars, each one of which carries sculptured images of Deepa Lakshmi.
Interestingly, no two of these images are alike. The bali peetha mandapam has
life sized images of Lakshmana, Indrajit, Nataraja, Vishnu and Brahma, Rathi
and Manmathan. The sanctum has beautiful wooden carvings. There is also a shrine
to Tiruvambadi Krishnan. The temple is also renowned for its murals.
In front
of the sanctum is the Udaya Marthanda mandapam with ornate woodwork. Mention
must be made of a carving of Ganesha, and that of Shiva engaged in Thandavam. In
the temple, there is a spot, the very place that Lord Chaitanya sat and read
the Brahma-Samhita. On western side of the temple is the Ghat where
Tambraparani river flows. The temple has huge corridors adorned with beautiful
sculptures. There is a separate sannidhi for Sri Krishna.
The
image of Garuda in this temple is made of gold inlaid with precious stones and
is taken out in procession in the Tamil months of Vaikasi and Aippasi. Another
remarkable feature is the Otraikkal Mandapam (single stone hall) outside the
main sanctum of the temple altar is measuring 18 feet by 18 feet by 3 feet that
has been built on a single stone in the 12th Century AD. It certainly shows the
skill of which the stone carvers had during the day when this temple was built.
There is
another Thiru Allah mandapam within the temple and is linked with another
wonderful episode. It is told that a Muslim chieftain wife was suffering
from an unknown disease. The Chieftain prayed Lord to save her from the chronic
disease. As she was recovered miraculously, he decided to honour the Lord
with a 21-day feast. The unique tradition is still followed. A 21-day Thiru
Allah puja takes place even today.
Theertham
associated with this temple are Kadalvaai Theertham, Vattaru and Raama
Theertham. This temple is noted for its beautiful sculptures in stone and
wood. Udaya Marthanda mandapam has exquisite wood carvings and the highlight is
the wedding procession of Lord Ganapathi. The corridor has 222 salabhanjikas
(feminine forms holding a lamp), and are unique.
There
are close to 50 inscriptions inside the temple in the outer prakarams in both
Tamil and Sanskrit including those relating to Kulothunga Chozha I and his
contribution to this temple. The inscriptions in the Balikkal mandapam belongs
to the period of Rajendra Chozhan I (A.D 1013-1045). It refers the deity as the
'Thiruvattaru Pallikonda Arul Kindra Perumal'. In addition to the inscriptions,
one also finds several stunning sculptures on the pillars like the ones in
Krishnapuram and Sri Vaikuntam.
There is
reference to Thiru Vattaru in the more than 2000 years old famous Sangha time
Tamil literature ‘Pura Nanooru’. Hence, this temple can be said to belong to
that time or before. It has been over 400 years since the last Kumbabishekam at
this temple. Initiatives are currently on for the Kumbabishekam. There is also
a small shrine for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy near the river and opposite to
the Adhikesava Perumal Temple.
Representatives
of the maharaja of Travancore accompany processions at Thiruvattar, symbolizing
the living link between the Travancore royalty and the Thiruvattar temple.
There are lot of structural similarities between this temple and the temple of
Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabha Swamy temple. Some of the differences are listed
below;
Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
·
Perumal (Lord) in
Bhujanga sayanam facing east
·
Parama Shiva is seen near
Perumal’s Thirumugam (face)
·
Lord Brahma Emerging from
Lord’s Thirunaabhi
·
Golden Dwajasthambam in
front of Padmanabha Swamy
·
Silver Dwajasthambam in
front of Krishna’s sannidhi
·
Otraikkal mandapam
measuring 20 X 20 X 3½ feet is located outside the main sanctum of the temple.
· Aarattu festival
accompanied by Maharaja of Travancore on Thiruvonam day
Thiruvattaru Adhikesava Perumal Temple:
·
Perumal in Bhujanga
sayanam Facing west
·
Lord Shiva is seen Near
Perumal’s Thiruvadi (lotus feet)
·
Lord Brahma is not seen
here
·
Copper Dwajasthambam in
front of Adhi Kesava Perumal
· Otraikkal mandapam measuring
18 X 18 X 3 feet is located outside the main sanctum of the temple.
· Aarattu festival
accompanied by King’s representatives carrying royal insignia
· On Thiruvonam day
Carpenter makes a bow leaves it in front of the sannidhi without looking back
and next day it is presented to the king.