LORDKRISHNA TEMPLE AT TIRUVAMBADI-TRICHUR KERALA-COMPILED Dear friends,
With a large number of temples-big and small- flourishing,Thrissur can truly be called a Temple City. Sree Vadkkunnathan Temple,Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu are the foremost among these. The Thiruvambady temple wasoriginally situated in a village 15 km away from Thrissur and the main deityLord Krishna, was, some five centuries ago, brought to Thrissur.This caused the establishment of Thiruvambady Temple at Thrissur. Thrissur iscultural capital of Kerala. Today my posting is about the Thiruvambady Krishna Temple. We know already the participation oftemples headed by Thiruvambadi verses Paramekkavu group in the Trissur Pooram. Hope a divine reading. Gopalarishnan 30-5-2025 Introduction The Thiruvambady Temple and Thrissur Pooram festival aretoday almost synonymous to the general public. However the latter is the climaxto the sustained round the year activities of divine worship aimed at providinga spiritual avenue for peace, tranquillity and mental uplift of thousands ofdevotees far and near. The temple is located 1 kmnorth of the Vadakkunnathan Temple and 800m from Swaraj Round, on the ShornurRoad. It is only 10 mts drive from Thrissur Railway Station and Busstand. In physical appearance the temple is a medium one; but in quality andimmensity of rites of worship, it stands on a par with the Mahakshethras here. The Deities The main deity atThiruvambady is Unnikrishna (Lord Krishna in infant form). Goddess Bhagavathy isconsecrated in a shrine just on the left of Lord Krishna and worshipped with equalardour. Lord Ganesha, Dharmasastha and the founders of the temple areworshipped in separate shrines outside the Nalambalam. Deities known by Dravidian names - Kukshi Ayyapa, Manikanda, Ghandakarna, Raktheswariand Bhairava are also enshrined here, just outside the walls of thetemple. Advent of Krishna The idol of Krishna, now worshipped here, was originally theParthasarathy idol in a temple at Edakkalathur, a sleepy hamlet, about 15kmfrom Thrissur. The temple had the same name - Thiruvambady - and there weremany shrines too, for Bhagavathy, Sastha etc. Some four centuries ago,when life and property inthe village were threatened by communal conflagration, some villagers under thecover of darkness, surreptitiously carried the idol to Thrissur and entrusted the same to a pious Namboodiricouple at Kachanappilly Illam, 200mtrs from the present Thiruvambady temple. The childless couple considered it a blessing in disguisefrom the Almighty and as they fostered the idol for worship, they felt it wastheir own unborn child. The benevolent Lord who appears before a devotee in theform he wants, opted to cast aside Partha Sarathy's whip and to pick up theflute in one hand and extended the other to receive the butter of devotion fromthe 'foster parents'. Asmall temple in the form of a 'sala' was erected 200mtrs, South ofKachanappally Illam and 'Unnikrishna' was enshrined. Bhagavathy The saga of Devi is noless enchanting. The Kachanappally couples were ardent devotees of KodungallurDevi and the male used to walk a distance of 40km, up and down, every month,to have a darshan of the Devi at Kodungallur. With the passage of time anddeteriorating health conditions, per force, he had to bid farewell to the Deityand returned towards home with a broken heart. However, just like a humanmother, the Devi could not bear the pangs of separation from her dedicateddevotee; her 'Chaitanya'followed the Bhaktha to his abode and consequently got enshrined on a granitepillar in the central courtyard within the Nalukettu. It is this consecratedpillar with the Devi 'Chaitanya' which is installed in the Sanctum to the leftof Unnikrishna and worshipped as the compassionate Balabhadrakali (Kali as achild). The aura of the divine duo-Unni and Devi - makes Thiruvambadya spiritual beacon of beatitude, like Brindavan, providing solace and succourto thousands of devotees from far and near. Poojas The poojas and other thanthric rites are performed, asenvisaged in Thanthra samuchaya, with meticulous care, and this has upgradedthe medium temple qualitatively to the stature of a Mahakshethra. Usually the day starts with the blowing of the conch at4.00a.m. the sanctums are opened by 4.30 a.m. At 5 a.m. We can watch the Vakacharthu of Lord Krishna,Vakacharthu is the holy oil bath of the Lord. Oil is poured on the idol,followed by spreading of a herbal paste, a mild massage and then water bath andmilk bath. After decorations, malarnivedyam and venna nivedyam are offered(malar is fried paddy and venna is butter). Usha pooja (early morning nivedya etc.) is done by 7a.m. Usharites culminates with Seeveli. During Seeveli the Thidambu, a metal replica of the stone idol, is carried on an elephant which circumambulates the templenalambalam thrice, while ceremonial offerings of rice toAshtadikpalakas etc. are duly performed. In the evening the temple opens by 4.30 p.m. After thedecorations (Alankarams) the Arathi is performed at dusk (between 6.15 p.m and7 p.m). The Athazha Pooja (Night Pooja) is conducted by 8 p.m and is followedby Seeveli. After the re-installation of the idol at the new sanctum anew item of Pooja has been introduced at our temple. It is 'Thrippuka' an incenseoffering, before sleep to the Lord. The temple closes by8.30 p.m. Specialty This is the only temple in Thrissur which has a gold-covered flag-mast and whichconducts Seeveli thrice, all time carrying the idol on an elephant. The installation of the flag mast and introduction of dailySeeveli took shape less than five decades ago (1965). Festivals The number of festivalsand auspicious days celebrated or observed at Thiruvambady Temple is thehighest, when compared with other Temples, in Thrissur. Sree Krishna Jayanthi Birthday of Sri Krishna is celebrated in the month of Chingom(August -September). The temple opens at 3.30 am and the last pooja suffixed bySiveli is conducted late in the night. The temple closes at about 1.20 am thenext day. Apart from the usual festivities of floral and lamp decorations,between 8.30 am and 11.30 am, there is the Ushassiveli parading 5 decoratedelephants and accompanied by Panchari Melam. Navaratri Navarathri (Dasra) is celebrated for 10 days in the month ofKanni (September. - October) with music concerts, bhajans, dances etc. stagedin the evenings. Goddess Saraswathy is worshipped in a temporary sanctum for 3days. Students and devotees bring their books to be placed for the Pooja andpropitiate the Goddess of learning. Initiations of children to writing, knownas Vidyarambham, is conducted on the morning of the 10th day (Vijayadasami). Kalampattu >From 1st day of Vrischigom (mid November), for 50 to 55days, Kalampattu forms >an integral part of the daily rituals. Goddess Bhagavathy is depicted, on the floor within thenalambalam, using herbal powders of different colours, the temple oracle dances around thedepiction and then blesses the devotees. The culmination of the Kalampattu iscalled Vela.The Vela procession of thedeity with seven fully caparisoned elephants is conducted between 9 pm and 3 am The processionproceeds with 3 elephants and Panchavadyam ensemble towards the VadakkunnathanTemple. As the processionreaches the fringes of the Temple maidan, the number of elephants is increasedto 7 and Panchavadyam is replaced by Pandimelom, a drum concert. After the concert, the deity returns to the temple. Vela iscelebrated in early January every year. Vaikunda Ekadasi The Ekadasi day in the Sukla Paksha of the month of Dhanu(December 15 - January 15) is celebrated on a grand scale. Elephantprocessions, circumambulating the temple, art performances, Oil lampilluminations, panchavadyam, drum concert etc. mark the day. 10 days longSangeethothsava (Festival of classical Music) precedes the Ekadasi Festival.Special Poojas sponsored by individuals and organizations start 13 days aheadof Ekadasi; These are called ‘Vilakku rites’. Thiru Utsava 8 days festival topropitiate Lord Unnikrishna begins on the Pooyam aster of Kumbham (February-March), as the temple flag goes up on the gold covered flag mast. During the last two days the deity is taken out onelephant, with more elephants flanking the idol bearer, to the accompaniment ofpercussion ensembles. These two days are called Pallivetta & Aarattu. Sahasrakalasam The Thiru Utsava is preceded by purificatory rites known as‘Dravya - Sahasra Kalasa’. The kalasa rites last for a week. Prathishta Day The day of consecration of the idol in the sanctum is alsocelebrated on a grand scale. This day is now on the Punartham aster in themonth of Meenam (March - April). The Prathista day will change after everyNaveekarana Kalasa, which is prescribed to be conducted once in every 12 years. Thrissur Pooram The most important festival is Thrissur Pooram. Rigveda Archana Worshiping the Lord usingRigveda manthras and floral tributes, is an 8 day long yagna at the templeevery year. Rigvedaarchana, usually precedes or succeeds Srikrishna Jayanthi, without clashingwith Onam. Lakshaarchana Worshipping Krishna and the Devi, chanting the names of thedeity one lakh times, is conducted on the last Saturday and Sunday of the monthof Thulam (October - November). Illamnira Illamnira is the harvest festival celebrated on the firstSunday after the New Moon day in the Month of Karkitakam (July - August). Thenewly harvested paddy stems are brought in great reverence, to the temple,placed on a special pedestal and Lakshmi-Pooja conducted praying for prosperityto all. The sanctified paddy stems are distributed among the devotees fortaking them to their houses as ‘Prasad’ and keeping them at their households. Krishnanattom Sampoorna Krishnanattam is staged at the temple every year.It is a 9 day programme. The days are fixed every year, as per convenience ofthe performers from Guruvayoor. Bhagavatha Sapthaham Two Bhagavatha Sapthahams are conducted under the auspices ofthe Devasthanam - one in connection with Navarathri and the second inconnection with Vaisakhamaasa observance. More Bhagavatha Sapthahams, Narayaneeya Sapthahams, DeviBhagavatha Navahams etc. are conducted when sponsors come forward with suchprogrammes as their offerings unto the Lord. Ramayana The Ramayana discourses are conducted for 30 consecutiveevenings in the month Karkitakam (July - August). Kuchela Dinam The first Wednesday in the month of Dhanu (this would be aday between December 15/16 and 21/22) is observed as Kuchela Dinam. This is a day of remembrance ofSudama’s visit to Sreekrishna, with a little beaten rice. The momentKrishna ate a part of that, Sudama got endowed with all prosperity. Well cookedsweetened beaten rice, in very large quantity, is offered to the Lord at aspecial Pooja at 3 p.m. and ‘Prasad’ distributed to devotees. Partaking in this offering issupposed to save the devotee from pangs of poverty. Thrissur Pooram. The Thrissur Pooram consisting of processions of fullycaparisoned elephants, choicest percussion ensembles like Panchavadyam andPandimelom, and a colourful display of fireworks has no parallel forcomparison. With illuminations, festoons, pandals and welcome arches, the townturns itself into a varitable paradise during the Pooram season. Pooram was thought about and choreographed, more than 200years ago, by the then ruler of Cochin State , Shri. Ramavarma, more popularlyknown as Sakthan Thampuran (1751-1805), who ruled the state at a period ofcrisis….. Sakthan Thampuran , who was bent upon putting an end to theexcessive Namboodiri domination in the socio-political arena of the state, opted to call the leaders of twotemples, Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu, which were under the governance of thetemple going public of the locality. He held discussion with themand chalked out plans for the festival. It was at this point of time, that the responsible persons ofeight other temples, who were Namboodiri Ooralars /local chieftains approachedthe King with a request to save them from the disgrace inflicted on them by thePerumanam chiefs thro' banning them from participating in the ArattupuzhaPooram which was almost 1200 years then. The king graciously allowed thesetemples to participate in the Thrissur Pooram, to be celebrated on the Pooramaster in the month of Medam (April 14 – May 15)… It remains a pleasant surprise that the prescriptions laiddown by 'Sakthan' in the 18th century are followed even today. Parayeduppu >From the day of Kodiyettam (hoisting of temple flag), thedeity is carried on >elephant to various houses near and not too far. The householders receive the >deity in great reverence and offer paddy and otheragricultural products in >full measures unto the Lord. Full measure is called'Para' and the event is >called Parayeduppu. Para offering can be done at theTemple also. On the Pooram >day during the morning purappadu at the temple andon both sides of the road >thro' which the procession moves, the devotees,householders and shop keepers >receive the deity with lighted lamps and offeringpaddy etc. in 'Paras' and >keeping the places clean and decorated. Annadanam Annadanam for 100 persons is a daily routine in the temple.The cost of one day for Annadanam is Rs.2500. Annadanam is considered tobe one of the most sacred offering to propitiate the Lord. The Devaswom would like to makeAnnadanam a bigger daily routine, once necessary infrastructures are available. Devotees are free to partly or fully sponsor daily Annadanamor Annadanam on special occasions. Large Scale Annadanams Large Scale annadanams areconducted on 1. Sri Krishna Jayanthi 2. Vaikunda Ekadasi 3. Vela Festival 4. 8 days of Thiru Utsavam 5. Prathishta day 6. Thrissur Pooram. Address and Phonenumber Thiruvambady Temple Shornur Road, Thrissur - 680022 +91 487 2334354 [email protected] Convention Centre Thiruvambady Convention Centre is located at Marar Road inthe city of Kerala state. The convention manages day-to-day administration andfunctions of Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple, Thrissur. Phone number +91 4872972442. [email protected] Sandeepani VidyaNiketan The Sandeepani Vidya Nikethan is an ambitions educationalventure of Thiruvambady Devaswom. School has up to 10th Standard, functioningin 2010- 11. The school is affiliated to ICSE, New Delhi. Kuttumukku, Ramavarmapuram (PO), Thrissur – 680631 +91 4873292195, +91 487 3219955. Marriage Halls The Devasthanam owns two halls suited for marriages,conferences and other celebrations. The bigger one, which can contain 800people in the auditorium, is fully air conditioned and is named 'ThiruvambadyConvention Centre' and 'Kousthubham'. Shornur Road Thrissur - 68002204872334901Daily Routine Bank Details foronline vazhipadu Name of Account: Thiruvambady Devaswom, Name of Bank: Bank Of Baroda, Thiruvambady Devaswom Branch Account No: A/c. No. 74830100005903 IFSC CODE: BARB0VJTHRI (Fifth Character is Zero) Cheques/drafts to be drawn in favour of 'ThiruvambadyDevaswom' -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/678662934.2153705.1748597946312%40mail.yahoo.com.
