Kalady Sri Krishna Temple – Kerala

Address

Muthalakadavu Rd, Thalayattumpilli,

Kalady, Ernakulam district,

Kerala 683574

Phone: + 093888 62321

Moolavar

Sri Krishna

Introduction

Kalady Sri Krishna temple is a very sacred shrine located at Kalady, a scenic village in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Kalady is the holy birth place of Jagadguru Adi Shankara Bhagavadpada, the great religious performer and philosopher. Kalady Sri Krishna temple is situated to the west side of the Sringeri Mutt. Lord Krishna is the family deity of the Jagadguru and the presiding deity of the temple. This Krishna temple has the typical Kerala architectural style. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Brindavan of Aryamba is a must-visit spot in this temple complex where Aryamba, the mother of Sri Adi Shankara, was cremated. There is a lamp post made up of black stone near this holy spot which was in existence even from the time of Sri Adi Shankara. A Ganapathy shrine is also near this.

Puranic Significance

Lord Krishna, fondly known to be Thrikkaladiyappan, was the family deity of Acharya and his mother. Hence they used to visit the temple every day after taking “ablution” holy bath in the nearby river Poorna (Periyar). Once, for this daily holy bath, Acharya and his mother started from their Mana (Home). But on the way, seeing his mother tired of walking, boy Sankaraprayed to Lord Krishna bearing tears in his eyes. And, Lord Krishna blessed the boy saying, “Let the river reach a place marked by your feet”. The river was reaching the spot, marked by boy Sankara after taking a turn. This boon from lord helped Sankara’s mother to lessen her efforts and reduce the distance. The place known to be ‘Sasalam’, there upon was renowned to be Kalady. The people of the place thereon addressed Lord Krishna as ‘Thrikkaladiyappan’ and the bathing ghat, as “ArattuKadavu”. In another incident, on an Akshayathritheeya Day, Acharya was walking in the morning to collect his daily “Alms” (bhiksha), he reached an old doomed Brahmin house. An aged woman suffering and starving, tears on her face, appeared before Acharya holding only a dry gooseberry in her hand. Listening on her face, every sorrow and grief, it came out, the highly renowned “Kanakadharasthavam Sthothram” from Acharya. When it’s 19 slokas were over, a shower was seen which shed golden gooseberries lavishly at her house. This Mana was later well known to be “Swarnathu Mana” (Golden Mana) which is still situating at a distance of some 25 km from Kalady Sri Krishna Temple. As a divine memory of this miraculous event, now on every Akshayathritheeya day, it is felicitated as Kanakadhara Yajnam in Kalady Sri Krishna Temple.

Beliefs

It is believed that if you keep these special golden gooseberries in your possession, you will get rid of financial troubles and achieves eternal life. Devotees from different parts of the world participate in this Yajna every year.

Special Features

Festivals

Kanakadhara Yanjam performed on Akshayathritheeya Day, Sri Sankara Jayanathi and Annuval festival are the prominent fests celebrated every year. The 8-day annual festival in the temple ends on Bharani nakshatra day in Makaram month (January – February).