Kottayam Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple – Kerala

Address

Kottayam Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple – Kerala

Thiruvarpu, Kottayam district,

Kerala 686020

Moolavar

Krishna

Introduction   

1. Location:
   The Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple is located in the small village of Thiruvarppu, approximately 6-7 km from Kottayam, Kerala. The temple is situated along the coastal line of the Meenachil River.
2. Historical Significance:
   • The temple is believed to be 1500 years old, with inscriptions dating back to 850 AD.
   • It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is one of the prominent Vaishnava temples in Kerala.
   • The name “Thiruvarppu” is derived from the local term Varppu, meaning cast used by smiths to make bell-metal vessels.

Puranic Significance & Legends:

1. The Krishna Idol and the Pandavas:
   The temple is connected to several legends, most notably one that links it to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. According to the story:
   • The Pandavas are said to have carried an idol of Lord Krishna during their Vanavasa (exile) and eventually left it in Thiruvarppu as they prepared to go into Ajnjatha Vasa (disguise).
   • The villagers then constructed a temple and consecrated the idol, but faced hardships due to improper worship, as they couldn’t match the devotion of the Pandavas.
   • An astrologer advised them to immerse the idol in a nearby lake, which they did.
2. Vilwamangalam Swamiyar’s Role:
   • The idol remained submerged until Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, a great sage, discovered it while traveling by boat. The boat became stuck, and when a rower dived into the lake, he retrieved the idol.
   • The Swamiyar placed the idol on a copper vessel (Uruli), and it became stuck to the soil, signifying the place for the temple’s construction.
   • Local landowner Kannankari Menon offered his land for the temple’s construction, where the idol was consecrated.
3. Variants of the Legend:
   • Another version of the legend involves Padmapada Swamy, a disciple of Sankaracharya, who found the idol and installed it in a temple.
   • A different variant tells of a group of fishermen who discovered the idol and built a temple, but faced calamities, leading them to return the idol to the sea, where it was later found again by the Swamiyar.
4. The Idol of Hungry Krishna:
   • The idol represents Krishna just after killing Kamsa, believed to depict Krishna in a hungry state. To honor this, the temple opens early at 2 AM, and a special ritual is performed to feed the deity, symbolizing his hunger.

Special Features:

1. Temple Opening:
   • The temple opens early, around 2 AM, and the idol is fed through a ritual known as Naivedya (feeding). The chief priest has a special key and ax for emergencies, as the door must be opened exactly at 2 AM.
2. No Closure During Eclipses:
   • Unlike other temples, the Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple is not closed during eclipses, as it is believed that the Lord cannot bear hunger during such times. Once, the temple was mistakenly closed during an eclipse, and the idol’s decorated belt slipped down due to Krishna’s hunger.
3. Drum Made of Bell Metal:
   • The temple has a special bell metal drum, believed to be used by Lord Krishna to announce the killing of Kamsa.
4. Usha Payasam:
   • A special offering known as Usha Payasam is prepared early in the morning using rice, jaggery, ghee, banana, and coconut. This unique preparation is offered to the deity at 3 AM.
5. Pullattu Pooja:
   • This unique ritual is dedicated to a rich man from Pullattu house who had no children. On his death anniversary, special poojas are conducted in his memory, following his request to donate his wealth to the temple. The ritual commemorates his sudden death after offering his wealth to Lord Krishna.

Festivals:

1. Annual Festival:
   • The temple’s annual festival is held over ten days during the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). The festival culminates with a sunset ritual on the tenth day, where the sun’s rays enter the shrine, marking the end of the celebrations.
2. Elephant Race:
   • On the tenth day of the festival, an elephant race is held, similar to the famous Guruvayur temple race.
3. Vilakkeduppu (Girl’s Lamp Procession):
   • During the festival, girls under ten years old dress as Lord Krishna and offer lamps to the deity in the morning and evening.
4. Other Important Festivals:
   • Thiruvonam
   • Ashtami Rohini (Krishna’s birthday)

Century/Period

850 Years Old

Managed By

Devasthanam board – Kerala

Nearest Bus Station

Thiruvarppu

Nearest Railway Station

Kottayam Station

Nearest Airport

Cochin 

Location on Map

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