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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00016 Jul 2003

 
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Dear Sir,

This is regarding Thiruvattar. The writer has stated that,

"This beautiful truth has been realised in full measure in Kerala, with most of 
the divyadesams (but for those located in big towns) retaining their bewitching 
beauty as portrayed by Azhwars, thousands of years ago. One such is TiruvattAr, 
nestling amidst shady groves and plantations."

Whatever is stated about the temple is true but then the temple is situate in 
Tamil Nadu in Kanyakumari District. This temple is one of 108 Vinava Pilgrimage 
and its age more than 1300 years. Please view the attachment - havea glimpse of 
the abode of Sri Adikesava Perumal.

Other interesting facts about this temple,the Lord Mahavishnu, lying on Sesa 
Naga is 18 feet long and is viewed through 3 doors. Though less visited, the 
temple is unique for many reasons. The deity of Lord Kesava faces west instead 
of east as normally He does. The priest says that the Lord is facing west 
because He wants to view the Padmanabha Swami in Trivandrum. Also the left hand 
of the deity is down, while in most other Maha-Visnu temples itis the right 
hand that is down. This deity does not have Brahma on the lotus flower coming 
out of His naval. Though not very big, its architecturallyinteresting. The 
sanctum has been designed so that the rays of the settingsun illuminate the 
face of the deity. What is most unique about the templeis that Chaitanya 
Mahaprabhu, while visiting the temple during His tour, found the great treasure 
called ?The Brahma Samhita?. This ancient temple located in Kanyakumari 
district, on the railroad between Kanyakumari and Tiruvanandapuram, has been
glorified by a decad of 11 verses composed by Nammalwar in the first millennium 
CE. . The architecture here, as with several other temples in Kanyakumari 
district resembles that of the Temples of Kerala. Worship protocols followed 
here are also the same as those of Kerala. This temple is an important center 
of worship and is referred to as Aadi Anantam and Dakshina Vaikuntham. It is 
said that Vishnu vanquished the demons Kesa and Kesi ,(hence the name Aadi 
Kesan) and took abode on the coils of Aadi Seshan here at Tiruvattaar. Kesi 
took on the form of the Tamraparani river. Shiva is believed to have taken on 
12 forms to witness the battle between Vishnu and Kesi, andworship Vishnu. A 
pilgrimage to all of the 12 Shiva temples is considered complete after visiting 
this temple at Tiruvattaar. 

The legend has it that an army of invaders from North India, were miraculously 
turned away by a swarm of wasps, in answer to prayers by the Maharaja of 
Kottayam (17th century). Legend also has it that the festival image was stolen 
by the armies of the Nawab of Arcot and that a mysterious ailment which gripped 
the Nawab's wife was cured, only after he returned the image to the temple. A 
special service by name 'tiru Alla Poojai' is offered . It isalso believed that 
the festival image being returned by him, got stuck to the ground near the 
Shiva temple, and that it came unstuck only after a decision was made to carry 
out the Aaraattu near the very spot.

Regards,

Srimathi Raghavan






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