Thiruvattar Historical Exploration, Kanyakumari | English Documentary

Thiruvattar, a place surrounded by Kothai, Parali and Thamirabarani rivers, is one of the ancient heritage towns in India. The town is located 6 km north east of Marthandam and 30 km north west of Nagercoil.

Sree Adi Kesava Perumal temple is one of the most ancient vaishnava temple of south India. The temple is situated at a height of 55 Feet from the ground level. The temple consists of a Garbha Griha, having three doorways and an ottakal mandapam in the front. The great antiquity of this place has been described by the Tamil Poet Malkudi Kilar in a verse of Purananuru. The Alwar saint Namalvar has sung few poems in praise of Adi kesava perumal temple.

The temple consists of 224 granite pillars, each of them bearing marvelous sculptural images of Deepa Lakshmi, the traditional lamp bearer images vary from pillar to pillar in dressing and style. Some excellent examples of Dravidian sculptures and stone work can be seen inside the temple.

The wood carvings inside the temple is regarded as a remarkable example of Kerala art and architecture. The history of this temple is connected to the famous battle of colachel where Marthanda Varma, the king of Travancore had defeated the dutch.

Some inscriptions belongs to the period of Rajendra Chozhan I who ruled between 1013 and 1045 AD. Another episode associated with the temple is the attack made by the Nawab of Arcot, Desth-Ali Khan. The Muslim army plundered the temple in 1740 AD and carried away the Golden Idol. After facing some bitter experiences, the Nawab ordered to return the Idol to the temple. As repentance, the Nawab donated a gold cap and a plate of weighting 388 Tholas of pure Gold to the temple.
In the later half of the 17th century, the temple had faced a threat from a petty sardar of the Mughal emperor named Mughil Khan. Umayamma Rani, the queen of Venad sought the assistance of a relative king Raja Kerala Varma who is also known as Kottayam Thamburan. The sardar was pursued by the forces of Kerala Varma. While retreating , the sardar camped on the hill side near Thiruvattar who was later killed by large number of wasps.

The buried place / graveyard of Mughil Khan can still be seen at a place called Khan Kara, near Thiruvattar. The Thiruvattar palace, a left over of the Travancore Kingdom is located near to the Thiruvattar Adi Kesava perumal Temple.

The palace consist of large ceilings with several rooms and a Nallu kettu. Also, a sense of chillness is felt inside the palace.The historic Narasimha madom was founded by Pushpanjali Swamiyar now owned by Thrisur Naduvil Madom. The madom is considered as old as the Adi Kesava perumal temple.

Thiruvattar also has stories connected to Ettuveettil Pillamars and Marthanda Varma.

#Thiruvattar#Kanyakumari#History

Short Documentary, Travelogue.
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