Kottayam Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple – Kerala

Address

Thiruvarpu, Kottayam district,

Kerala 686020

Moolavar

Krishna

Introduction

Thiruvarppu – a small village at 6-7 kms distance from Kottayam, is known for the Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple. The Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is one of the renowned Vaishnava temples in Kerala. The Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple is located on the coastal line of the Meenachil River in the Thiruvarppu village, and hence the name given to the temple.
Varpu refers to the cast which is used by smiths to make bell metal vessels.

Puranic Significance

This is an ancient temple known to be 1500 years old. An inscription on the temple indicates that the temple was constructed in 850 AD.

There is more than one legend behind this temple and all of them are related to the recovery of a Krishna Idol with four hands attached to a copper vessel which is called Uruli or Varppu in local language Malayalam. And all the legends connect this temple to the period of Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas used to carry an idol of Lord Krishna during their stay in the forests (Vanavasa). Their Vanavasa ended up here in Thiruvarppu and before going in disguise (Ajnjatha Vasa) the villagers request the Pandu brothers to leave behind the idol there so that they can worship it as their village deity. They agreed and handed the same to the head of the village.

The villagers constructed a temple and consecrated this idol of Sri Krishna with four hands. To the utter surprise of the villagers, they had to face many hardships after starting worshiping the idol. They approached an eminent astrologer and he told them that they are not worshipping the idol properly. Since they are not able to meet the level of devotion Pandavas had, they cannot worship it properly in the future also so, he advised them to immerse it in the nearby lake. They did accordingly.

Years have passed. Once, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, a great sage who was a tool in consecrating idols in many Temples in Kerala was traveling on a boat. Suddenly the boat stopped moving and the rowers though tried their best could not move even a bit further. As told by the Swamiyar, one of the rowers dived deep in the lake and found an idol of Sri Krishna. Swamiyar took custody of the idol and started his travel.

In between, he felt to have a bit rest and asked the rowers to anchor the boat near some good place. They did accordingly. Vilwamangalam Swakiyar got down from the boat and went near a tree to have rest. He had the idol with him. He kept the idol on a copper vessel (Varppu or Uruli in local language Malayalam) and kept it near him before he took a nap. After an hour’s sleep, he woke up. When he tried to pick up the idol, he could not as it got stuck to the soil. Hearing this news, the nearby people gathered there. The land where Swamiyar took rest was the property of a person called Kannankari Menon. He announced his consent to give the land for the construction of the temple and requested Swamiyar to consecrate the idol there.

In another legend, it is Padmapada Swamy, a disciple of Sankaracharya who was traveling by boat and he got the idol. It was kept inside Uruli. Then he searched for a place to place and found a temple in a nearby place where no idol has been installed. With the consent of the locals, he placed the idol in that temple.

There is one more variant of the first legend. In that, it is said that a group of fishermen who were catching fish in the sea got the idol but without a vessel. They took it to their village and constructed a temple and installed the idol there. However, many calamities happened in their village after that and hence they threw it back to the sea, and later Villwamangalam Swamiyar got it.

It is Hungry Krishna just after the killing of Kamsa:

It is believed that the bhava of Krishna in this idol is that of the first moments after killing Kamsa. Hence, he is very much hungry. That is why the temple is getting opened so early at 2. Am. After opening it the priests will perform Abhisheka. Then after wiping out the water from the head of the idol, they perform a Naivedya (Feeding the deity with his favorite food) after that they will wipe out the rest of the body parts and perform the decorations and other rituals.

Moreover, this may the only temple where the chief priest is provided with the key to the main door of the Sanctum sanctorum and also an ax. This is to break open the door if he finds any problems with the keys. Lord cannot bear the hunger for a long time and it is necessary to open the door at exactly 2 a.m. If necessary, the priest can break open the door at that time.

Special Features

Unlike other temples in India, this temple will not be closed during eclipses. If it is closed, the lord will feel hungry which he cannot bear. It is believed that once the temple authorities closed the temple during an eclipse. When they reopened it, to their utter shock they saw the decorated belt of the idol slipped down. Fortunately, Vilvamangalam Swamiyar was there during that time and he told the authorities that it happened as the lord is too hungry. Since then, the temple will not be closed during the eclipse.

The temple has a special type of drum which is made with bell metal. It is believed that the lord announced the killing of Kamsa by playing this Drum. The Lord faces west along with his four hands. The temple opens very early around 2 AM in the morning. Around 3 AM a special offering called Usha Payasam is offered to this lord. This is prepared using rice, jaggery, ghee, kadali banana fruit and dried coconut. When the rice is cooked well, the melted Jaggery is poured in to it till it stops by itself. This method of preparation is very peculiar to this temple.

Another peculiar celebration of this temple is Pullattu Pooja,. The story is that there was a rich Nair gentleman without children in the Pullattu house. He wanted to donate all his wealth to the temple and requested them to observe his death anniversary. When astrologers consulted the God, his consent was given. On the Thai poosam day, Pullattu Nair came inside the temple, kept all his wealth including keys to treasures and documents for all his properties before the Lord. Then he prostrated before the Lord and it is said that he died then and there. Even today three special poojas one day before his death and fifteen special poojas on the day of his death are performed in his name and referred to as Pllattu Pooja.

Festivals

The annual festival of the Thiruvarppu Temple is held in the initial ten days of the Medam, according to the Malyalam calendar, which is during the period of April-May. On the tenth day of the festival, an elephant race is held similar to the Guruvayur.

Pathaam Udayam – At the sunset on the tenth day, when the rays of the sun enter the shrine, is marked as the end of the festival.

Girl’s lamp procession
During the ten-day festival, all the girl children who are below 10 years of age dress up as Lord Krishna and offer lamp to the Lord both during morning and in the evening. This ritual is known as Vilakkeduppu by the local crowd.
Other important festivals celebrated in the Thiruvarppu Temple are Thiruvonam and Ashtami Rohini.