Sri Adi Keshava Perumal Temple is a revered Hindu shrine located in Paramandur, a village in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Adi Kesava Perumal, accompanied by his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The divine gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya are found standing on either side of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
The temple’s origins are believed to date back to the early Pandya period, around the 15th to 16th centuries.
The temple features a mix of architectural styles, including a sanctum sanctorum (main shrine), antechamber, and a half-hall (ardha mandapam). The sanctum is built on a raised platform with a three-tiered base called patta kumudam. The pillars are of the Brahma Kantha style and are decorated with intricate designs like pots, lotus motifs, and other traditional patterns. The upper structure (prastaram) has decorative elements, including lotus designs, cornices, and small carvings. A single-tier tower in the Dravidian style (vimana) sits above the sanctum.
The main deity, Adi Keshava Perumal, is depicted standing alongside his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi. The deity holds the conch (shanka) and discus (chakra) in his upper hands, while his lower right hand is in the abhaya mudra (gesture of reassurance), and the lower left hand rests on his thigh in the kadi posture. Due to the stucco composition of the idol, traditional ablutions (abhishekam) are not performed, instead, a ritual application of oil (thaila kappu) is conducted. The temple also houses processional deities (utsava murtis) in front of the main idol. A separate shrine is dedicated to Parimalavalli Thayar, the consort of Adi Keshava Perumal, situated to the right of the main temple.
According to local tradition, the temple’s principal deity, Adi Keshava Perumal, was worshipped by the sage Parashara, the father of Veda Vyasa. This association with such a venerable sage enhances the temple’s sanctity among devotees. Additionally, it is believed that Lord Rama visited this temple to offer his prayers to Adi Keshava Perumal.
Sorga Vasal (Gateway to Heaven): The temple features a ‘sorga vasal’ or ‘gateway to heaven,’ which holds significant religious importance. The opening ceremony of the sorga vasal is organized grandly, with special pujas conducted on the last Saturday of the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October), attracting numerous devotees seeking divine blessings.