Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple
The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is one of the most revered Hindu temples in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Krishna, worshipped here in the form of Parthasarathy (the charioteer of Arjuna, as seen in the epic Mahabharata). The idol holds a whip in his right hand and a sacred conch in his left, a uniq ue representation compared to other Krishna temples. Believed to have been built between the 15th and 17th centuries by the local ruler Chembakassery Thampuran, the temple is an exemplary display of traditional Kerala architectural style. Its spiritual significance is deeply rooted in local legend and history. One of the most famous aspects is the daily offering of Palpayasam, a sweet milk pudding. A popular legend linked to this offering involves Lord Krishna himself, who appeared as a sage and challenged the king to a game of chess, resulting in a debt of rice grains that could only be repaid by serving this Payasam to pilgrims daily for eternity. The temple is also believed to have a direct spiritual connection with the famous Guruvayoor Temple in Thrissur, with the idol of Lord Krishna from Guruvayoor having been temporarily housed here for safekeeping during a time of threat from Tipu Sultan. This temple is considered one of the seven great Vaishnava temples of Travancore and holds immense cultural and religious importance for devotees across South India. The inner walls of the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) are adorned with exquisite murals, notably the Dasavatara (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), which are masterpieces of Kerala art. A visit here offers a profound spiritual and cultural experience.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
1 to 2 HoursPlace Type:
Religious/Spiritual, Architectural HeritageEntry Fees:
General Entry:
Free: There is no general entry fee to visit the outer premises and main viewing areas of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. It is a public place of worship, and access is free for all visitors to appreciate the outer archi...General Entry:
Free: There is no general entry fee to visit the outer premises and main viewing areas of the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. It is a public place of worship, and access is free for all visitors to appreciate the outer architecture and atmosphere. This is consistent with the practice of most major Hindu temples in Kerala. Fees for Specific Offerings (Vazhipadu) While entry is free, devotees typically pay a fee for specific offerings (Vazhipadu or Archana) to the deity. These offerings vary in price based on the type, ranging from simple archanas (a few rupees) to complex homams (fire rituals) or special poojas, which can cost significantly more. The famous Palpayasam also requires pre-booking or payment.
Charges for Special Access/Donations: There are no mandatory charges for special access, but visitors may be encouraged to give a voluntary donation (Kanikka) for the temple's upkeep. Certain parts of the temple may have signboards requesting donations for specific services or ongoing construction/maintenance. Dress Code Enforcement (Implicit Fee) While not a direct fee, there is a strict traditional Kerala dress code for entry into the inner premises (especially for non-Hindu visitors). Men must wear a Mundu or Dhoti (around the waist) and be bare-chested; women must wear sarees or traditional Indian attire. If a visitor arrives improperly dressed, they might incur an implicit cost if they need to purchase the appropriate attire from a nearby shop to gain entry.Timing:
Regular Temple Opening Hours: The temple follows a dual-shift timing, closing for a midday break:
Morning: 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Ideal Visit Time (Spiritual Experience) The ideal tim...Regular Temple Opening Hours: The temple follows a dual-shift timing, closing for a midday break:
Morning: 4:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Ideal Visit Time (Spiritual Experience) The ideal time for a spiritually focused visit is during the early morning hours (4:00 AM to 6:00 AM), especially during the Nirmalyam (when the deity is first unveiled) or during the evening Deeparadhana (worship with lamps, around 6:30 PM). These times are the most vibrant and sacred, offering the best atmosphere for prayer. Ideal Visit Time (Palpayasam) To ensure you can receive the famous Ambalappuzha Palpayasam Prasadam, you should aim to be at the temple premises around 11:00 AM, as the distribution usually starts around 11:30 AM and continues until the stock is finished.
Best for Photography: For the best photographs, the 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM window is ideal. The setting sun casts a beautiful, warm light on the traditional Kerala architecture, and the lighting of the traditional oil lamps in the Deeparadhana creates a magical, photogenic scene.Special Events:
The Ambalappuzha Arattu Festival: The primary and grandest special event is the Ambalappuzha Arattu (Holy Bath) festival, usually celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (corresponding to March-April). This ten-day annual festival features colorful processions, traditio...The Ambalappuzha Arattu Festival: The primary and grandest special event is the Ambalappuzha Arattu (Holy Bath) festival, usually celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (corresponding to March-April). This ten-day annual festival features colorful processions, traditional art forms like Kathakali and Ottamthullal, and elaborate temple rituals. The highlight is the Arattu itself—the ceremonial bathing of the deity idol. The sheer scale of devotion and the cultural spectacle make this festival a massive draw.
The Pallipana Ritual: A very rare and special event is the Pallipana ceremony, a ritualistic performance traditionally held only once every 12 years. This ancient offering, dedicated to Bhadrakali, involves specific dances and ceremonies and is a profound cultural and religious spectacle. Its rarity makes it an incredibly unique and important event in the temple's calendar, attracting scholars and cultural enthusiasts globally.
Daily Palpayasam Distribution: While a daily ritual, the mass distribution of the legendary Ambalappuzha Palpayasam is a daily special event in the life of the temple. The sheer volume of this sweet offering, linked to the chess legend and the belief that Lord Krishna himself partakes in it, makes the morning Payasam distribution a moment of significant spiritual and communal gathering every day.Best Photo Spots:
The Temple Pond Reflection: The best time for photography is early morning or late evening. The temple pond (Kulama) offers a magnificent reflection of the tiled, gabled roofs and the overall traditional architecture, especially during the golden hours. The calm water, oft...The Temple Pond Reflection: The best time for photography is early morning or late evening. The temple pond (Kulama) offers a magnificent reflection of the tiled, gabled roofs and the overall traditional architecture, especially during the golden hours. The calm water, often with traditional stone steps, provides a serene and picturesque foreground.
The Intricately Carved Doorways and Entrances: Focus on the close-up details of the temple's various wooden doors, pillars, and entrances. These spots are adorned with intricate carvings of deities and mythological scenes. The natural light falling on the detailed woodwork creates a dramatic texture, capturing the exquisite craftsmanship of the Kerala style.
The Flag Staff (Kodimaram) and Outer Structure: The tall, brass-covered flag staff (Kodimaram) standing in front of the main shrine, framed against the traditional tiled roof, makes for a classic and powerful shot of Kerala temple architecture. Capturing the Kodimaram along with the surrounding Nalambalam (inner courtyard building) and the oil lamps in the evening light provides a sense of the temple's scale and spiritual atmosphere. The Mural Wall (from the outside) While photography inside the Sreekovil (where the Dasavatara murals are) is generally restricted, capturing the exterior wall texture and the simple yet profound architectural lines of the main shrine is a great photo opportunity. The contrasting colors of the natural pigments (if any visible from the outside) and the ancient stone texture are highly photogenic. Shots of Rituals and Devotees (Respectfully) With respectful distance and permission, capturing the atmosphere during the pooja or the Palpayasam distribution can yield powerful human-interest photographs. Focus on the expressions of devotion, the sight of the traditional lamps, and the priests performing rituals, providing a narrative of the temple's living tradition.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Participate in the Daily Worship (Darshan) The primary activity is to participate in the Darshan (viewing) of the principal deity, Lord Krishna (Parthasarathy). Devotees believe that a sincere prayer here, especially during the morning and evening Aarti (worship with light), brings immense blessings.
Note: Only Hindus are permitted inside the main Sreekovil complex.
Taste and Receive the Ambalappuzha Palpayasam: A visit is incomplete without receiving the famous Palpayasam (sweet milk pudding) as Prasadam (blessed offering). This ritualistic sweet is distributed daily, usually around 11:30 AM, and is considered a divine gift. The taste is unique and the spiritual significance attached to the offering makes it a must-try for all visitors. Be prepared for a small queue.
Information
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Why Famous:
The Legendary Ambalappuzha Palpayasam: This temple is most famous for its unique and delicious sweet pudding, the Ambalappuzha Palpayasam. This offering, made of rice, milk, and sugar, is distributed daily to devotees. The legend of Lord Krishna challenging the Chembakasse...The Legendary Ambalappuzha Palpayasam: This temple is most famous for its unique and delicious sweet pudding, the Ambalappuzha Palpayasam. This offering, made of rice, milk, and sugar, is distributed daily to devotees. The legend of Lord Krishna challenging the Chembakassery King to a game of chess and demanding rice grains that culminated in an astronomical debt, only to be repaid by offering this Payasam, is deeply embedded in local culture, making it a powerful spiritual draw. Unique Deity Form (Parthasarathy) Unlike the typical playful or meditative forms of Lord Krishna, the idol here is in the form of Parthasarathy, wielding a whip and conch. This form signifies Lord Krishna's role as Arjuna's charioteer during the war, making the idol a powerful and formidable representation. This specific iconographic form is a major point of interest and reverence.
Magnificent Mural Paintings: The temple is renowned for its splendid mural art, especially the Dasavatara murals inside the Sreekovil. These 15th-17th century paintings are priceless artifacts of Kerala's art history, drawing scholars, artists, and devotees for their beauty, detail, and spiritual narrative. They stand as a testament to the region's rich cultural legacy. -
Architecture:
Traditional Kerala Temple Style: The temple's architecture is a classic and beautiful example of the indigenous Kerala style, characterized by its unique design that blends harmoniously with the tropical climate and landscape. The structure is typically low-slung, often wit...Traditional Kerala Temple Style: The temple's architecture is a classic and beautiful example of the indigenous Kerala style, characterized by its unique design that blends harmoniously with the tropical climate and landscape. The structure is typically low-slung, often with tiled, gabled roofs that resemble a huge traditional house, unlike the towering gopurams (entrance towers) of Tamil Nadu temples. The use of wood for structural elements and intricate carvings is prominent.
Mural Masterpieces: A key highlight is the magnificent mural painting of Dasavatara (the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) adorning the inner walls of the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum). These murals are vibrant, detailed, and reflect the distinct Kerala school of painting, using natural pigments. They are considered one of the greatest artistic treasures of the state, captivating visitors with their spiritual themes and artistic finesse.
Dimension Overview: While exact blueprint-style dimensions are complex and not widely published for public viewing, the temple complex encompasses a significant area, typical of major Kerala temples. The central Sreekovil (sanctum) is the core structure. The outer structure includes a wide Chuttambalam (outer structure enclosing the inner shrine) and a Nalambalam (the inner courtyard). The temple tank (Kulama), located to the side or front, also forms an integral and large part of the entire sacred geometry. The roof structure, made of tiles and timber, is a defining dimension, ensuring good ventilation and protection from heavy monsoon rains. -
How To Reach:
By Air: (Nearest Major Airports) The nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), located approximately 98 KMS north of the temple. The second nearest is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), located about 148 KMS to the south.
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Near Tourist Places:
1.
Karumadikuttan Statue: (Ancient Buddha Statue) - Approx. 5 KMS 2.
Punnapra Beach: (Serene, less crowded beach) - Approx. 8 KMS 3.
Alappuzha Lighthouse: (Historical lighthouse) - Approx. 14 KMS 4.
Alappuzha Beach: (Popular beach with park) - Approx. 15 KMS 5.
Revi Karunakaran Museum: (Private collection of artifacts) - Approx. 15 KMS 6.
Krishnapuram Palace: (Historical palace and museum) - Approx. 20 KMS 7.
Alleppey Backwaters: (Houseboat boarding point in Alappuzha) - Approx. 15 KMS 8.
Marari Beach: (Relaxing, peaceful beach) - Approx. 30 KMS 9. St.
Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal: (Prominent Christian pilgrimage center) - Approx. 35 KMS 10.
Kuttanad: (Rice bowl of Kerala) - Approx. 20 KMS
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety Guidelines:
Dress Code:
Follow the strict traditional Kerala dress code: Men must wear a Mundu or Dhoti and be bare-chested when entering the inner courtyard; women should wear traditional Ind...
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