Kottayam Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple – Kerala

Address

Thiruvarpu, Kottayam town,

Kottayam district,

Kerala 686020

Krishna

Location and Overview:

Thiruvarppu is a small village in Kottayam district, Kerala, 8 km from Kottayam town.
The village is famous for the Thiruvarppu Sri Krishna Temple located along the Meenachil River.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is one of the renowned Vaishnava temples in Kerala.
The temple is believed to have been constructed around 850 AD.

Puranic Significance and Mythology:

One belief states that Lord Krishna’s idol, with four hands, was once worshipped by the Pandavas during their exile.
After they deposited the idol in the sea, it was rediscovered by a holy sage (either Villwamangalam Swamiyar or Padmapadacharya).
The idol was consecrated at the present temple location.
Another myth mentions the idol being recovered by fishermen near Vembanad backwaters, eventually reaching the current temple.

Special Features:

The temple opens at 2 A.M. daily, and the special offering of Usha Payasam is presented to Lord Krishna at 3 A.M.
The temple is open during eclipses, as it is believed that Lord Krishna cannot tolerate hunger.
The priest is allowed to break the temple door with an axe if there is any delay in opening it.

Temple Structure and Surroundings:

The temple sanctum houses Lord Krishna’s idol, facing west with four hands.
Surrounding temples: Kochambalam (Devi temple) to the east, Shivan Kovil (Shiva temple) and Narasimha Swamy idol to the north, and Ganapathy, Subrahmania, Sastha, and Yaksha Gandharva temples to the south and west.

Unique Drum and Sub-Temple:

A bell metal drum is said to have been used by Lord Krishna to announce the killing of Kamsa.
There is a sub-temple dedicated to Bhoothanatha, where all offerings to Lord Krishna are also offered.

Festivals:

The annual temple festival takes place during the first ten days of the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), culminating in an elephant race.
Special observances include dressing up girl children as Lord Krishna and offering lamps during morning and evening prayers.
Krishna’s birthday (Ashtami Rohini) is celebrated with devotion.
On the tenth day of the festival, a phenomenon called “Pathaam Udayam” occurs, where the rays of the setting sun illuminate the sanctum sanctorum.

Special Celebrations:

Pullattu Pooja: A ritual performed in memory of a wealthy Nair gentleman who donated his wealth to the temple before his death. This includes special poojas on his death anniversary, with offerings like milk payasam, ghee payasam, and appams.

Additional Observances:

Sundays and Thursdays are considered special days in the temple, attracting many devotees.
The temple also observes special offerings like Chathurchathadam during specific occasions.