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 --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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