Adikesava Perumal Temple, Thiruvattaru:

Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple, a Hindu temple in Thiruvattaru, is 7 kilometers from Marthandam and 45 kilometers from Kanyakumari. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Sri Vaishnavas and a popular pilgrimage site in Kanyakumari.

The temple is dedicated to Sri Adikesava Perumal, which means 'Foremost Friend'. According to mythology, Lord Adikesava defeated the demon Kesi. The demon's wife prayed to the rivers Ganges and Thamirabarani, causing disaster. They came in droves to wash off the Lord. Mother Earth just raised the ground level where Perumal was resting. Both rivers circled the Lord, prayed to Him, and flowed about like two garlands. Thus, the formation of rivers in a circle became known as Thiruvattaru.

The temple was built in the Dravidian style, with wooden pillars, doorways, and roofs. The presiding deity is reclining, coupled with Goddess Maragathavalli Nachiar. Though there are parallels between the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the Thiruvattar Temple, the latter is older. The Lord's huge idol measures 22 feet tall and is larger than Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. The reigning deity is composed of mustard, lime powder, and jaggery. The lord is reclining on his snake couch and can only be glimpsed through three doorways. Adikesava Perumal's feet are on the left and his head on the right; this is reversed in the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple. A Shiva lingam is located near Lord Adikesava Perumal within the sannidhi.

There are around 50 inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit inside the temple, including those commemorating Kulothunga Chola I and his contributions to the shrine. In addition to the inscriptions, there are several magnificent carvings on the pillars, similar to those in Krishnapuram and Srivaikuntam. Another notable feature is the Ottakkal mandapam outside the sanctum, which is 18 feet wide and 3 feet high and was built on a single stone in the 12th century AD. The Udaya Marthanda mandapam features excellent wooden carvings, with Lord Ganapathi's wedding procession serving as the highlight. The corridors feature 222 salabhanjikas and are unique. The sun's rays fall squarely on Lord Adikesava Perumal between March-April and September-October.

Vaikunta Ekadasi is commemorated with pomp and ceremony. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Aval, and Appam are some of the exquisite prasadams served at this temple. The pujas are performed in the same manner as those at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.