Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is a famous Krishna Temple located in Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha district, Kerala, which is a major pilgrim center.

The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is famous for its unique Prasadam, which is the delicious Ambalappuzha Pal payasam – a sweet porridge made of milk, sugar, and raw rice. Priests believe that Guruvayoorappan visits this temple daily to have Pal payasam at the time of Nedyam.
Usually, sub-priests of the temple prepare Pal payasam. They use the holy water from the Manikinar well to prepare it. The priests seek permission from Krishna before adding each ingredient to the water.
This Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is also known as the Dwaraka of the South.

Legend of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

One day, Saint Vilwamangalam Swamiyar and Pooradam Thirunal Thampuran were traveling along the backwaters when they heard a melodious flute sound. An ardent devotee of Krishna, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar had a vision of Krishna playing the flute under a Peepal tree. As he felt the presence of Krishna, Thampuran decided to build a temple here.

The Architecture of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

The temple is in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. Chembakassery Sree Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran built the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple between the 15th and 17th AD. The Krishna idol in the Guruvayoor temple was supposedly brought to this temple for safety during the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789. The main attraction is an excellent painting of ten avatars of Vishnu on the wall of the temple. Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is famous for its magicians.

The temple is spread over a large area. It has a sloping copper-clad roof. Visitors wash their feet in the large pond before entering the temple. It has eastern and western gates. In the western gate, many shops and ample parking space are available. The outer walls of the Naalambalam have many rows of oil lamps. Visitors light them at night on festival days. The Naalambalam has two doors covered with gold foil. The two doors of the Nalambalam are covered with gold foil. The Sanctum (Sreekovil) does not have windows, and only priests can enter it. The Sanctum is within the four walls of the Naalambalam, and the outer structure is called Chuttambalam. A well is near the temple, and the priests use the well water only for Poojas and rituals.

The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple enshrines Krishna in the form of Parthasarathi. It is a form Krishna assumed during the Mahabharata war. Krishna is popularly known in the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple as Unnikannan (child Krishna). The idol of Krishna is carved out of black granite stone. He holds a whip in his right hand and a conch in his left.
Intricate sculptures and carvings adorn the temple’s gopuram. Its layout showcases traditional Kerala temple architecture, with wooden structures, majestic pillars, and magnificent murals that depict mythological stories.

Thunchathu Ezhuthachan is believed to have written Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu (a translation of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata) in the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. He is considered the father of the Malayalam language.

A huge elephant named 'Ambalappuzha Ramachandran' resides in the compound of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which is an added attraction for devotees.

Festivals in the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Ambalappuzha Moola Kazhcha is an important ritual in the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple during the Malayalam month Mithunam on the day of the star Moolam (Moola Nakshatra). Pilgrims and tourists flock here to invoke the blessings of Krishna on this grand occasion.

The Ambalappuzha Arattu festival is another prominent festival celebrated for ten days between March and April. It starts with the flag hoisting on the Hasta star day.

Ottan Thullal is an art form that is performed once a year. It is based on the social issues of Kerala. Kunchan Nambiar, the creator of this dance form, is also one of the famous poets of Kerala.

Velans (sorcerers) perform the Pallipana dance once every twelve years in this Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. Dancers perform a unique dance during the temple festivals. It is called 'Velakali'.

The temple conducts the Champakkulam Boat Race on the Prathishta day (idol installation day) of Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple.