Ambasamudram Krishnaswamy Temple – Thirunelveli

Address

Krishnan Koil Street, Ambasamudram

Thirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu – 627 401

Phone: +91 – 4634 – 251 445 / 250 555

Moolavar

Krishnaswamy

Introduction

The Krishnaswamy Temple, also known as Krishnan Koil, is a prominent Vaishnavite temple located in Eastern Ambasamudram, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.

History:

The exact age of the Krishnaswamy Temple is not known, but it is believed to be over 1000 years old.
The temple is administered by The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.
The temple’s Thala Virutcham (sacred tree) is Pavalamalli and Pathiri.
Theertham (holy water) of this temple is known as Harihara Theertham.

Legend:

The temple’s history is linked to Sage Markandeya, who is said to have received the divine darshan of Adi Sesha, the divine serpent, at this site. Following Sesha’s guidance, Markandeya installed the idol of Lord Krishna at the temple.
The idol of Lord Krishna and his consorts, Rukmini and Satyabhama, is made of Salagrama stone from the Kandigai River in Nepal.
The unique feature of the temple is that the Salagrama idol of Lord Krishna, playing the flute, was created without the assistance of sculptors.

Builder of the Temple:

A Chera King, a devoted Vishnu follower, had a dream in which Lord Vishnu instructed him to build a temple for Lord Krishna at a specific location—Punnai Vanam, a forest of Punnai trees, on the banks of the Tambiraparani River.
The king created an idol as he had seen in his dream, with Lord Krishna, along with his consorts, Rukmini and Satyabhama. He installed the idol and built the temple.
Although the presiding deity is named Krishnaswamy, the temple is commonly known as Krishnan Koil.

Significance:

Due to the temple’s location in a forest of Punnai trees, it is also called Punnai Vana Kshetram. Consequently, Lord Krishna in this temple is known as Punnai Vana Krishna.
The temple is believed to be a place where separated couples can pray for reconciliation and reunification. Special rituals are performed to bring together separated couples.

Beliefs and Practices:

Devotees visit the temple to seek unity in their families and for their children’s educational excellence.
Long-delayed marriages are believed to be blessed, and people also pray to Lord Krishna to remedy the adverse effects of planetary influences.
Devotees offer Tirumanjanam (ablution) to Lord Krishna, along with Sarkarai Pongal (sweet pudding) as Nivedhana.
Different rituals are performed based on the days of the week to alleviate the negative effects of planetary positions.

Festivals:

Krishna Jayanthi: Lord Krishna’s birth, known as Krishna Jayanthi, is celebrated with the opening of coconuts representing the opening of a newborn’s eyes. A symbolic “feeding the child” ritual is conducted, followed by offering paddy as Prasad to devotees.
Brahmmotsavam: The temple celebrates a nine-day Brahmmotsavam festival, during which various special rituals take place. On the day before Vaikunda Ekadasi, Lord Krishna is adorned as Mohini, an enticing female form.