Among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas, the presiding deity here is Sri Adi Kesava Perumal in reclining posture. The temple architecture is authentic Kerala style. Though there are similarities between the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram, the Thiruvattar temple is older. The gigantic idol stands at 22 ft, bigger than Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. You can have darshan from any of the three doors on the single stone mandapam. Adi Kesava Perumal’s feet is on the left and head on the right; it’s the reverse in Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple. A Shiva lingam is situated right below both deities. The legend goes that both temples are located where the renowned sage Vilvamangala Swamiyar had a vision of Lord Vishnu resting on Anantha. Anantha’s one end is where the Padmanabhaswamy temple is located and the other end where Thiruvattar temple stands. The sage requested the Lord to reduce his size which he did, manifesting himself at both places.
Railway station: Thiruvananthapuram and Nagercoil;
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram