Ambalappuzha literally means 'Temple on the River'. This village is very near a <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/A> major town in Kerala called Alappuzha (a.k.a Alleppey town) and is about 75 km from present day Cochin, now officially known as Kochi. In this village is located a very famous temple of Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna>.
The temple 'uthpatthy' or temple origin is connected with Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, who was a <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/A> great Brahmin saint that lived during the middle of seventeenth century in Kerala. He was such an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he is said to have had the ability to actually see the Lord whenever he wanted. According to legends, when he and the king of Chempagassery, a small kingdom of that region, were traveling in a boat, they heard the melodious sound <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Sound> of a flute being played on the shores of the back waters. Vilwamangalam saw Lord Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Lord_Krishna> sitting on a branch of a banyan tree and playing the flute. This tree was surrounded by water, so the king arranged to buy this piece of land where the Banyan tree stood, and had it filled up and ordered a temple to be built there. This banyan tree still exists at the back of the temple and is called 'Ganapathi aal' meaning Ganapathi's Banyan tree. The king wanted to consecrate Lord Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna> in the shape of a cowherd in the temple. But once the idol was completed, it was found to be defective by a famous Namboodiri, who proved it by tapping the hand of the idol and causing it to break. To replace the defective idol, they brought another idol from a place called Kurichi. Since the king of Kurichi had enmity with the king of Chempagassery, this idol was smuggled from there with the help of a Panikkar (or astrologer). The descendants of this Panikker holds the post of the chief of the temple (designated as 'koyma'). While bringing the vigraham from Kurichi, it was hidden during the daytime in the house <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/House> of a Christian called 'Itty thoman' for a day. Even today the room in which the idol was kept is considered a holy place and a lamp is lit there. The story goes that while consecrating the idol, it was found to be unstable, causing it to shake in its position. Then a sage came by and suggested that the idol be mounted on a betel leaf. Thereafter, it is said to have stood firm. On this basis, the place was named Thamboola Puzha, which as time went by, atrophied to Ambala puzha - the present name of the town. It is believed that this idol was one of the three idols <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Idols> given by Lord Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Lord_Krishna> to Arjuna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Arjuna>. Once, when sage Vilwamangalam visited this temple, the king expressed a desire to see Lord Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Lord_Krishna> in person. Sage Vilwamangalam asked the King to touch him to attain the ability to see Lord Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna>. After this incident, the king dedicated his country to the temple and adopted the name 'Deva <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Deva> Narayanan'. Even today, the eldest member of the king’s posterity is called Deva <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Deva> Narayanan. The famous Pal-payasam, which is a preparation made of rice, boiled in milk and sugar, is the 'prasadam' or offering given to pilgrims from the temple. About 100 liters of this prasadam is prepared daily in this temple. It is believed that Lord Guruvayurappan <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Guruvayurappan> and the Thiruvarpu Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna> come here daily to partake of this Payasam. This Ambalapuzha pal-payasam is so divinely tasty that anyone fortunate enough to taste it will remember its taste for life. The required milk, along with four times the amount of water, is boiled for five hours. Then the required quantity of rice is added and boiled for another forty five minutes. Then for the next six hours, the payasam is constantly stirred. After six hours, Khandasari sugar is added and the payasam is boiled till it dissolves. Before putting the sugar, the cook shouts, “Vasudeva”. According to the locals, some modern day researchers tried to scientifically replicate this in their laboratory to find out what caused this payasam to have such a unique and delicious taste. They concluded that the taste was special on account of the type of firewood used in the kitchen hearth, and also the sooty atmosphere of the kitchen, where this has been prepared for ages, which gave it a special smoky flavor. Though the idol of Kirshna in the temple is in the form of a charioteer, he is worshipped in the form of the divine cowherd - 'Go-pala-Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna>'. It is believed that during the conquest of Tipu Sultan, to avoid plunder and destruction, the idol of Guruvayurappan <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Guruvayurappan> was brought to this temple for safe keeping and was worshiped till the danger subsided. Krishna <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Krishna>’s birth day (Ashtami Rohini) is celebrated here in a grand manner. There are many other festivals <https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Festivals> in this temple. {PRR} K R IRS 22625 On Sun, 22 Jun 2025 at 12:21, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > SREE KRISHNA SWAMY TEMPLE , AMBALAPPUZHA ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT -KERALA - > COMPILED > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about the famous Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy > Temple at Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha district of Kerala. The temple is > believed to have been built during 15th century CE by the local ruler > Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. It is one of the > seven greatest temples in Travancore. It is considered one among the 108 > Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavite tradition. I have visited the temple many > times. The first time *as early as 1964*, at the age of 20, after > attending medical examination of DMO Alleppy, for my employment in Telcom > Department. > > Hope a divine reading > > Gopalakrishnan 22-6-2025 > > Introduction > > Located around 14 kms south of Alappuzha town, in the quiet precincts of > Ambalappuzha is the legendary Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. The > presiding deity of this temple, Lord Krishna is depicted as > 'Parthasarathy', the charioteer of Arjuna from the epic Mahabharata. The > deity is seen bearing a conch on his left hand and a whip in his right. > > Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna situated in > Alappuzha district. Built-in the traditional Kerala style architectural > pattern, the temple is famous for its delicious rice pudding prepared in > sweet milk, popularly known as Pal Payasam. > > Also called as the ‘Dwarka of the South’, the temple is believed to have > been built between 15th - 17th AD by the local king Chembakkassery Pooradam > Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran. > > History > > Considered to be among the seven great Vaishnava temples in the State, > this temple was constructed by the erstwhile ruler of Chembakasserry Sree > Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran during 17th AD (790 M.E.). The > King is said to have offered his State to the Lord and ruled the country as > his regent and assumed the title 'Deva Narayana'. > > Architecture > > The typical Kerala architectural style used in the construction of the > temple is a treat to the eye. The Chuttambalam (building constructed around > the sanctum sanctorum), *adorned with magnificent paintings depicting the > Dasavatharam or 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, is one of the most prominent > features of * > > Chief Deity > > The main deity presiding the temple called Parthasarathi (another name for > Lord Krishna) is carved out of black granite stone and carries the sacred > conch (shankh) in the left hand and a whip in the right. Lord Vishnu the > presiding deity appears here in the guise of Parthasarathy, the charioteer > of Arjuna from the epic Mahabharata. > > Sub- Deities > > The sub-deities of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple include Ganapathi, > Ayyappan, and Bhagavathi. Additionally, there are two sub-temples, one > dedicated to Ganapathi and the other to Nagadevata, located near the main > temple. The temple also features a shrine for Lord Shiva and Sree Sastha > (Ayyappan)The sub-deities of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple include > Ganapathi, Ayyappan, and Bhagavathi. Additionally, there are two > sub-temples, one dedicated to Ganapathi and the other to Nagadevata, > located near the main temple. The temple also features a shrine for Lord > Shiva and Sree Sastha (Ayyappan) > > Palpayasam. > > Payasam, a sweet pudding made of rice and milk is served in the temple and > is believed that Guruvayoorappan visits the temple daily to accept the > offering. > > During the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the > Guruvayoor Temple was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping > for three years. The place is earmarked with a photo of the idol now in > Ambalappuzha. > > Legend-Palpayasam. > > According to the legend, Krishna once appeared in the form of a sage in > the court of the king who ruled the region (Chembakassery) and challenged > him for a game of chess (or chaturanga). The king being a chess > enthusiast himself gladly accepted the invitation. The prize had to be > decided before the game and the king asked the sage to choose his prize in > case he won. *The sage told the king that he had a very modest claim and > being a man of few material needs, all he wished was a few grains of rice*. > The amount of rice itself would be determined using the chess-board in the > following manner: one grain of rice on the first square, two grains in the > second square, four in the third square, eight in the fourth square, > sixteen in fifth square, doubling up to the final, sixty-fourth square. > > The king lost the game and the sage demanded the agreed-upon prize. As he > started adding grains of rice to the chess board, the king soon realised > the true scale of the sage's demands. The royal granary soon ran out of > grains of rice. > > The king realised that he would never be able to fulfil the promised > reward as the number of grains was increasing in a geometric progression > and the total amount of rice required for a 64-square chess board was > 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 grains, translating *to trillions of tons of > rice.* > > Upon seeing the dilemma, the sage appeared to the king in his true-form > and told the king that he did not have to pay the debt immediately but > could pay him over time. *The king would serve paal-payasam (pudding made > of rice) in the temple freely to the pilgrims every day until the debt was > paid off.* > > *However the payasam is not free now.* > > The famous prasad Pal Payassam is a must try at the shrine. However, the > devotees have to book it beforehand. The temple authorities can be > contacted on +91- 477 -2272090. > > Poojas > > The Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple has daily poojas (worship rituals) and > special offerings, including the famous Palpayasam. The temple opens at > 3:00 AM, with various poojas throughout the day, including Usha Pooja > (morning worship), Pantheeradi Pooja, and Ucha Pooja (midday worship). The > temple closes at 1:00 PM, reopens at 5:00 PM, and closes again at 8:30 PM. > > Here's a more detailed look at the poojas: > > Usha Pooja: This is the first pooja of the day, conducted at 3:30 AM, > involving the offering of flowers, incense, lamps, and food to the deity. > > Pantheeradi Pooja: This ritual takes place later in the morning, involving > the offering of rice and other items. > > Ucha Pooja: The midday worship, conducted at 12:15 PM, is an elaborate > ritual with extensive offerings. > > Deeparadhana: This evening worship is performed at 6:30 PM. > > Athazha Sheeveli: The final ritual of the day, performed at 8:00 PM, > followed by the temple closing at 8:30 PM. > > Special Offerings: > > Palpayasam: > > A sweet milk porridge, is a famous offering at the temple and is believed > to bring blessings and prosperity. > > Nivedyam: Various food items, including rice, fruits, and sweets, are > offered to the deity throughout the day as Nivedyam. > > Festivals > > The Amabalapuzha Temple Festival was established during the fifteenth > century CE. At this time, central parts of Alappuzha district were ruled by > the Chembakassery Devanarayana Dynasty. The rulers of this dynasty were > highly religious and decided that an idol of Krishna was to be brought to > the Amabalapuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple from the Karinkulam temple. The > celebration in commemoration of the bringing of this idol of Krishna is the > origin of the Amabalapuzha Temple Festival, also referred to as the > Chambakulam Moolam water festival. This festival is conducted every year on > the Moolam day of the Mithunam month of the Malayalam era. The Aaraattu > festival takes place on the Thiruvonam day in March–April. > > The Arattu is the annual 10-day long festival at the temple. It commences > with the flag being hoisted on the Atham day in the Malayalam month of > 'Meenam' (March-April). *'Seva', 'Uthsavabali' and 'Pallivetta'are* some > of the different rituals conducted at the temple during the festival. > > An interesting belief regarding the 'nataka shala sadya', a feast on the > 9th day of the festival, is that *Lord Krishna comes and serves the > diners ghee in his childhood form, that of 'kannan'*. The 'Arattu' (holy > bath) takes place at the Erattakkulangara Mahadeva Temple. The procession > to and from the temple is a spectacle to behold and is considered > auspicious. > > During 'nataka shala sadya', a feast on the 9th day of the festival, it is > believed that 'Lord Krisha in his child form 'Kannan'' comes and serves > ghee to the diners. The procession to Erattakkulangara Mahadeva Temple for > 'Arattu' (Holy bath) and return are auspicious and spectacular. > > Another festival that draws devotees and tourists to the temple from far > and wide is the Chambakulam Moolam Festival. It is one of the most > important festivals at the temple and is celebrated every year. In fact, it > is the Chambakulam Vallamkali (snakeboat race of Chambakulam) that kicks > start the boat race season in Kerala. Believed to be almost four centuries > old, the Chambakulam Boat Race is considered to be the oldest in the state. > > Dress Code > > Devotees and pilgrims with an interest in entering and viewing the > Garbhagriha part of the temple should take note of their dress style. > > The women should wear Saree or Salwar Kameez (Churidar), while the men > should wear Dhoti or trousers. The men should make sure that their upper > body remains shirtless as soon as they are about to enter the Garbhagriha > (Their shirts and banyans should be removed). > > *Devotees, visitors, and pilgrims in varied dress styles would still be > allowed to view the other parts of the time aside from the Garbhagriha.* > > It is advisable to dress decently and moderately as the temple is a sacred > and holy place. *Photography is prohibited.* > > How to reach Ambalapuzha Temple > > The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple is easily reachable being only 13km > from the Alappuzha Town. Devotees, tourists, and pilgrims can either get to > the temple by road, air, or rail. > > By road-The road to Ambalapuzha lies near the National Highway 47 (NH 47) > which is south of Alappuzha. The distance between the town junction and the > temple is only 1.5km. The temple is 108km away from Ernakulam and 102km > away from Thiruvananthapuram. Auto Rickshaws are also available to take you > down to the doorsteps of the temple. > > *You can also choose to travel by bus*. Thanks to the Kerala state road > transport, regular bus services have now been made readily available to > everyone. > > By Air-The closest airport to the Ambalapuzha Temple is the Cochin > International airport which offers a 2hours 30minutes flight to the temple. > The Trivandrum Airport serves as the next closest airport which offers a > 2hours 37minutes flight to the temple. Direct cabs to the temple are also > readily available at the airport. > > By Rail-The closest railway station to the temple is the Alappuzha railway > station. The station is 15km away from the temple and offers a 30minutes > ride to the temple. Another close railway station is the Alleppey railway > station which offers an hour's ride to the temple. > > Why is Ambalapuzha Temple famous? > > Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple - the popular Lord Krishna ... > > The temple is renowned for its *Pallipaana performance which is conducted > every 12 years by Velans (sorcerers*). It was also here at the > Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple that *Ottanthullal, a satirical folk-art > form was performed for the first time.* This traditional art form > comments on various socio-political issues. It is widely believed that > Kunchan Nambiar, the legendary Malayalam poet crafted this unique art form > on the premises of the Ambalappuzha Temple. > > Historic Krishna temple known for its Parthasarathi idol, sacred payasam > offering, and ties to Guruvayoor Temple. > > Temple Pond > > The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple in Alappuzha, Kerala, features a > temple pond that is a significant part of the temple complex and is known > for its serene atmosphere. The pond is a popular spot for visitors to > relax, reflect, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It's a place where one > can spend quiet moments, admire the natural beauty, and perhaps even feed > the fish. The temple itself is renowned for its traditional Kerala > architecture, the famous Palpayasam (sweet pudding) offered as prasadam, > and the annual Aarattu festival. The Pond is very large. > > Administration > > The temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board, Government of > Kerala. > > Timings > > The Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple is open from 3:00 AM to 12:00 PM and > again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM > > Address of the temple > > Sree Krishna swamy temple, Ambalapuzha, Kerala 688561. > > -- > 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/580137778.740390.1750574938373%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/580137778.740390.1750574938373%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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