The Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, located in the quaint town of Ambalapuzha in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, is one of the most revered and historically significant Hindu temples in southern India.

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple is renowned for its exquisite Kerala-style architecture, intricate wooden carvings, and vibrant murals depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

Constructed during the 15th to 17th centuries by the local ruler Chembakassery Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran, the temple stands as a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.

The temple’s daily rituals, annual festivals, and the famous Palpayasam offering attract devotees and tourists alike, making it a bustling center of devotion and cultural activities.

Its serene ambiance, coupled with its historical and religious significance, renders the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple a cherished landmark and a beacon of spiritual solace in Kerala.

The Legend of Palpayasam

The legend associated with the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a captivating tale that intertwines devotion, divine play, and local lore.

This legend not only adds to the mystique of the temple but also explains the origin of the temple’s famous offering, Palpayasam (a sweet milk porridge). Here is a detailed account of the legend:

The story begins with the ruler of the region, Chembakassery Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran, who was a pious and devout king.

One day, a sage visited the king and challenged him to a game of chess. Being an avid chess player, the king accepted the challenge.

The sage then made a peculiar request: if he won, he would ask for a reward, but the king had to agree to fulfill it without question. The king, confident in his abilities, agreed.

As the game progressed, it became evident that the sage was no ordinary man but a highly skilled player.

The king realized he was losing the game. When the sage finally won, he made a seemingly humble request.

He asked for some rice to be given to him in a specific manner: one grain of rice on the first square of the chessboard, two grains on the second, four grains on the third, and so on, doubling the amount on each subsequent square.

The king, unaware of the mathematical implications of this request, readily agreed.

However, as they began to calculate the amount of rice required, it soon became apparent that the quantity needed was astronomical. The amount of rice required to fulfill the sage’s request was more than all the rice available in the kingdom.

Perplexed and anxious about how to honor his promise, the king prayed to Lord Krishna for guidance. It was then that the sage revealed his true identity: he was none other than Lord Krishna himself, testing the king’s devotion and humility.

In response to the king’s prayers and devotion, Lord Krishna decreed that instead of rice, an offering of Palpayasam should be made every day in the temple.

This sweet milk porridge would be distributed to the devotees, symbolizing divine grace and the fulfillment of the sage’s request. Thus, the tradition of offering Palpayasam began, and it continues to this day as a revered practice at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple.

Dress Code at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Whether you are visiting as a devotee or as a tourist, modesty is expected in dress code at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple.

For visiting the inner sanctum, men are required to wear a mundu (a traditional white cloth wrapped around the waist and extending to the ankles). Trousers, shorts, and other Western attire are not permitted inside the temple premises.

Women who wish to enter the inner sanctum, should wear sarees, set mundu (a traditional two-piece attire), or salwar kameez. Western outfits such as jeans, skirts, and dresses are not allowed.

If you are visiting as a tourist and do not plan to enter the inner sanctum, some leniency is allowed. Men can wear pants or ankle length jeans. T-shirt is however, frowned upon.

If you are a female tourist in Western attire, consider wearing an ankle-length wrap-around skirt over your dress as a mark of respecting the local traditions. This is what I do if I am not appropriately dressed for a religious site.

Photography Permissions

You can click photographs on your mobile phones inside Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple premises. However, photography is prohibited in the inner sanctums.

Taking videos and using sophisticated cameras inside the temple are strictly prohibited. Also, take care not to snap people without their permission.

Timings

The Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is open from 3:00 am to 12:00 pm in the morning and then again from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the evening. The timing may vary during temple festivals and other religious occasions.

Architecture of Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Thi temple is a stellar example of traditional Kerala temple architecture, renowned for its aesthetic appeal and intricate design.

The structure is primarily built using locally sourced materials such as wood, granite, and laterite, which are well-suited to the tropical climate of the area.

One of the most striking features of the temple is its sloping, tiled roofs. These roofs are designed to efficiently handle the heavy monsoon rains typical of Kerala, preventing water accumulation and ensuring durability.

The gabled ends of the roofs are often adorned with ornamental woodwork, adding to the temple’s visual charm. The roof structure, supported by wooden beams, creates a majestic silhouette against the backdrop of the lush greenery surrounding the temple.

The temple complex includes a series of interconnected structures, each serving a specific purpose in the religious practices conducted there.

The main sanctum, or Sreekovil, houses the idol of Lord Krishna and is a square-shaped building with a pyramidal roof. The sanctum is surrounded by a covered walkway, known as the Nalambalam, which allows devotees to perform circumambulation as part of their worship.

This walkway is lined with wooden pillars and intricately carved wooden brackets, showcasing the craftsmanship of the artisans of the time.

The Namaskara Mandapam, a pillared hall located in front of the sanctum, is where devotees gather to offer prayers and witness rituals.

This hall is an architectural marvel with its finely carved wooden ceiling and pillars, each featuring detailed floral and geometric patterns.

The mandapam also serves as a venue for cultural performances, particularly during festivals and special occasions, further emphasizing the temple’s role as a cultural hub.

Surrounding the main structures is the Chuttambalam, an outer walkway that encircles the temple complex. This space is often used for processions and other ceremonial activities.

The temple pond, located within the complex, is an integral part of the architecture and the religious practices, used for ritualistic purification before entering the temple.

Customs and Rituals

The Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is renowned for its rich traditions and customs, which have been meticulously preserved over centuries. These customs and rituals form the core of the temple’s religious activities, reflecting deep devotion and cultural heritage. Here are some of the key customs and rituals followed at the temple:

Daily Rituals

Nirmalyam: The day begins with the Nirmalyam ritual, which involves the removal of the previous day’s offerings and decorations from the deity. The sanctum is then cleaned and purified before the new day’s rituals commence.

Abhishekam: The deity is bathed with sacred water, milk, ghee, and other auspicious substances in a ritual known as Abhishekam. This is followed by the adornment of the idol with fresh flowers, garments, and ornaments.

Usha Pooja: The morning worship, or Usha Pooja, is conducted with the offering of fresh flowers, incense, lamps, and food. Devotees gather for this early morning prayer to seek blessings for the day ahead.

Pantheeradi Pooja: This is another significant ritual that takes place later in the morning. It is marked by the offering of rice and other items to the deity, signifying the feeding of the divine.

Ucha Pooja: The midday worship, or Ucha Pooja, is an elaborate ritual involving more extensive offerings and prayers. This pooja is considered very auspicious and is well-attended by devotees.

Special Offerings

Palpayasam: One of the most famous offerings at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is the Palpayasam, a sweet milk porridge. According to legend, this offering originated as a divine command by Lord Krishna himself. Devotees believe that partaking in Palpayasam brings blessings and prosperity.

Nivedyam: Various food items, collectively known as Nivedyam, are offered to the deity throughout the day. These offerings include rice, fruits, sweets, and other traditional delicacies. After being offered to the deity, the food is distributed among the devotees as Prasadam.

Thulabharam: This ritual involves devotees offering items equivalent to their body weight. Devotees sit on one side of a balance scale while the other side is loaded with the offerings, which can be anything from fruits to grains or even gold, depending on the devotee’s vow. We were fortunate enough to witness this performed in the temple when we visited.

Annual Festivals

Ambalapuzha Arattu: The annual Arattu festival is a major event characterized by the ceremonial bathing of the deity in the temple pond. The idol is taken in a grand procession to the pond, accompanied by traditional music and dance. This festival is marked by vibrant celebrations and participation from the local community.

Ambalapuzha Utsavam: This ten-day festival includes various rituals, cultural performances, and processions. The temple is beautifully decorated, and special poojas are conducted each day. Traditional art forms like Kathakali and Ottamthullal are performed, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is a significant festival at the temple. Devotees observe fasts and engage in night-long prayers and singing of devotional songs. The highlight is the midnight pooja, which marks the exact time of Krishna’s birth.

Other Rituals

Vazhipadu: Devotees offer various types of Vazhipadu (offerings) as a fulfillment of their vows. These can range from lighting oil lamps to offering specific items like coconut, butter, or flowers.

Processions: Regular processions, particularly during festivals, are a vibrant part of the temple’s customs. The deity is carried in a richly decorated palanquin, accompanied by traditional drummers and musicians, creating a festive and spiritual ambiance.

Thulasi Archana: Special worship involving the offering of Thulasi (holy basil) leaves is conducted regularly. Thulasi is considered sacred and is believed to be dear to Lord Krishna.

Velakali

Velakali is a traditional martial dance form combining elements of Kathakali and Kalaripayattu. The origin of this artform is traced to the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple.

According to the legend, the dance originated when sage Narada, inspired by Lord Krishna’s playful mock battles with his friends, requested sage Villumangalam to capture this martial spirit in a ritualistic performance.

Villumangalam, with the help of the Ambalapuzha ruler and his army chieftains, trained young men in the art form, creating a performance that closely resembles Kalarippayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala.

To this day, Velakali is a prominent feature of the pooram at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple and marks the commencement of the annual Painkuni festival at the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Trivandrum.

Image Credit: Velakali