Thiruvattaru is traditionally enumerated as number 84 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.
Tiruvattar is one of the 13 divya desas in Malai nadu. Itis situated in the Kalkulam taluk of Padmanabapuram division and the God Kesava Perumal of that temple is believed to have been worshipped by Moon God and Parasurama.
Tiruvattar is a sleepy village in the district of Kanyakumari. It derives its name from the river Paraliyar which encircles up this place. The temple can historically claim considerable antiquity among the temples of South India. It is situated about 18 miles west of Nagercoil and 28 miles east of Trivandrum. The temple is located in sylvan surroundings. It is a very ancient temple as it finds mention in Purananooru, an old Tamil anthology which has a verse mentioning Tiruvattar as the headquarters of an ancient chieftain called Elini Aadan. That chief was well known for his munificence and patronage to men of letters. His motto was Dharmosmat kula deivatam”. This temple was also eulogised by Nammalwar in his Thiruvaimozhi. He called the place “Valamikkavaatharu” Thus, the temple at Tiruvattar can be held to have been in existence for nearly 1200 years and more. The poet Mangudi Kilar in verse 396 of Purananooru refers to the neervalam (abundance of water) in this place when he describes the place as “Valanir vaatharu”. It is perhaps this proverbial prosperity of the land which added to the wealth of its charitably disposed chief Elini Aadan.
The place is also known as Adi Dhamasthalam, Dakshina Vaikuntam, Parasurama kshetram, Srirangam of Cheranadu. The temple is located in a compound of about 3 acres and 30 cents in extent. The temple stands on an elevated plane at nearly 55 feet above the ground level. A flight of steps from the roadside leads to the main entrance. The four walls surrounding the temple are more than 30 feet in height. From the top of the steps a gigantic gopuram built mostly in the Kerala style with a slant towards the traditional Tamil school is seen standing majestic with the sky as the background. Hundreds of bold reliefs of the gods of the Hindu pantheon beautifully and artistically sculpted are set on the four sides of the gopuram. The daily rituals in the temple are even today done as per Kerala tantram by Malayalee brahmins. The
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