Ambalapzha Sree Krishna temple is in Alleppey district, Kerala. It is about 16 Kms. from Alleppey, the Venice of the East which is interconnected by lot of lagoons, lakes and sea.
This temple is known as Dwaraka of the South which was built by Chemagasseri Devanarayanan Thampuran between 15-17th AD.This an important Vaishanava temple in Kerala.
The temple here has Krishna's idol in the form of Parthasarathy which Krishna assumed during the great Mahabharata war. He has a whip in His right hand and a conch in the left .This temple is very much popular like the Guruvayur temple. Here also, the deity is worshipped as child Krishna.The temple also has a shrine for Guruvayurappan and there is a nagathara outside the main shrine.
Legend is that, saint Vilvamangalam, an ardent devotee of Krishna while cruising along the backwaters with the Maharajah of Travancore, heard sweet flute music. Swamy Vilvamangalam could see a bright glow and a form of Balamurali Krishna ( young Krishna with flute) on a Peepul tree . Feeling the God's presence, a temple was constructed in that place.
Fascinating facts- Ottam thullal, a performing art form was started here by the great artist Kunjan Nambiar. One can still see his mizhavu which is preserved here in an enclosure. The make up and the costume of this art form is unique.
Thunjathu Ezhuthachan, a great poet and scholar is believed to have penned his famous work Adyathtmika Ramanayam kilipattu here which has no parallel till date.
Ambalapuzha palpayasam is very famous (a porridge made of milk ,hand pounded rice and sugar ) and has exceptional sweetness and one can find devotees queuing up for the same.
How to reach- Alleppey is connected well with rail and road. The nearest airport is at Ernakulam
Accommodation - Good hotels are available in Ernakulam or there are many holiday resorts near Alleppey. The famous boat houses are a huge attraction for the tourists both foreign and local. One would get 5 star to economy boat houses.
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMevOiRS5Lfe-NO3I2yYSSXRsN77asKcKkR5gML
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMevOiRS5Lfe-NO3I2yYSSXRsN77asKcKkR5gML
55 comments:
Stunning pics, i love the old world feel that i can sense from the pics!
Have a great day :)
Chitra,
thanks for this important post!
Ottan Thullal is an interesting form of dance-drama, somewhat like Kathakali but a solo form and it uses less elaborate costumes etc. Its characteristic is that the sacred narrative is modified here to satirize the heroic figures in the original narrative.
Satire here is a form of devotion and also brings the divinised characters closer to the realm of ordinary people. A comparable practice is the chariot festival of Puri, where devotees who pull the chariot of Jagannath curse him. It's believed that the more you curse him, the more Jagannath gets pleased by you. So, curse is a form of showing affection for Jagannath.
It's great to see the temple where this unique performance art form of Ottan Thullal was born.
The Mizhavu is well preserved. Liked the ambiance of the temple
Beautiful .... great temple
Typical Kerala Temple. Beautiful Pictures..
Dear Chitra,
Good Morning!
My day has just begun seeking the blessings of Balagoapalan!This is one of the famous temples of Kerala.
My Amma has written a poem on this temple.The atmosphere and the suroundings are beautiful.
Cows are always dear to Kannan.The statue of the elephant,the mizhavu,the vast compund make the readers visit the temple.
Ambalappuzha Paalpayasam is so famous.
May Kannan Bless You!
Wishing you a wonderful day ahead,
Sasneham,
Anu
I like the temples and the surroundings as well..Thanks for the wonderful tour Chitra!
US Masala
Love the peace in Kerala temples..would definetely like to visit the temple
Arti, Thanks. The temple is of typical Kerala style and hardly any modern constructions inside.
Insignia, Thanks a lot. I too wanted to linger in that temple for long as the tranquility was captivating.
Team G Square
Thanks a lot .
Sridaran
Yes this is typical Kerala architecture, those galleries, the roof with wooden carvings, the corridors, grills made of wood etc.. It has retained its essence till date.
Anu,
You are a krishna bhaktha and I am sure you would have enjoyed my post.I would like to read the poem written by your mother. See you.
Aipi, thanks dear.
EC, you must. The ambiance in Kerala temples are different. You would like it.
Archana,
You are right, this Ottam thullal is presented like a satire and is a solo performance unlike Kathakali .
Chitra
Hoping to have a trip to this famous temple
very nice photos
Aswathi, thanks. Haven't seen your posts for long?
I remember the last time we went to the temple, amma, sister and relatives... had some paal payasam and was enjoying...
I live near to Chottanikkara(4 km),purnathrayeesha(1/2 Km) but still visit occassionally. "Ayalathe mullakyu dash"...
The post was good, and worth a read. I need to plan worshiping some temples for, peace :)
It was heartening to see that the temple still had the old tile roofs! :-)
Many temples in Kerala, in the name of renovation lose some of their character...
I so love it that this temple has such a wonderful story to tell. Those huge conch shells are wonderful though I have to say that the clock on that pillar looks a little out of place to me.
Any pictures of the canals of Alleppey?
hey me too like the ambience of the temple..real proud of u dear friend..for highlighting..
I didn't notice the clock, till I read this comment. yes, there are two of them in fact. Perhaps they should be hung on the walls of some buildings rather than where they are.
Abhilash, I lived very close to Poornathrayeesha and was a regular visitor to the temple. Even now, every Kochi visit I mark my attendance at P. temple.I wanted to live there for ever. But destiny took me elsewhere. I would say you are a blessed one. ..... muttathe mullakku manamilla....
?
Very true, I love temples with their old structures. The ambiance there is entirely different. But many temples are in need of maintenance and when they start the work, then modern and sophisticated materials are used.
PW, what you say is right. The clock could have been moved to some other wall.
Mridula, I have one or two, shall publish in one of my future blogs when my pilgrimage took me along the Alleppey- Kuttanad side.
Ramesh, Nanri nanba.
Archana, You also observed it? While taking pictures , I too felt that.PW is very observant.
Chitra, I will be visiting Allapy middle of February for a day. Will try to see if i can manage sometime to see the boat houses there, about which I have heard a lot. Very informative post with awesome pictures.
Very nice, Chitra.
Thanks Prabhakka.
Beautiful Photography:)...I loved viewing all of the pics captured:)
Sushma, thank you so much..
Genuinely- A nice post. :))
Thanks Kiran, I am happy..
wowow such great pics
loved all of them Thanks chitra :)
Bikram's
very nice and calm temple...
beautiful temple
sm, Thanks
thanks boss
Another very pretty temple and scenery! Have a lovely day Chitra!
Bikram, today only I saw your comment friend. Thanks.
Ramesh, thanks
Martina, thank you.
Hai CHITRAJI... once again wonderful post..... congrats....
Jayaraj, Thanks
Rajeev Kumar, Thanks.
So charming!
Neena, thanks
As usual an excellent post. I looked at the picture on Picasa - look much better.
Thanks A. Picasa viewing is much better, at one click you'll see all the photos.
I also like the architecture of the temple.
Palpayasam...yummy!
nice to read; could you tell me in which year Ezhutthachan lived here and also in which year ottamthullal was started? is this also a place famous for Idukka, will appreciate answers to sury39@gmail.com if possible
long live Chitra.
Ambalapuzha is my motherland and we live very close to temple.there are many amazing facts.
the palpayasam is very much unique that no were they get the colour and taste.
there will be always a mentally retarded person in premises of the temple.
it is believed that Sri Krishna has protected Ambalapuzha during the recent sea rise(tsunami)where the other coast were effected.
it is belived that during Sabrimala Thiruvabbranam yatra,Lord Sri Krishnan finishes his lunch at Ambalapuzha temple and goes on Garuda for protection.Garuda is even seen to Human eyes on the sky during the yatra.
Vinod
Thanks Vinod, for that lovely information...
Very good writing and Pictures about the temple. I recently visited this temple and was amazed at its beauty.
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