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Birds eye view photo of Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalappuzha, India

Kerala

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple

Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. An absolutely wonderful, serene atmosphere to visit
Birds eye view photo of Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Ambalappuzha, India
Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. An absolutely wonderful, serene atmosphere to visit
map

January

20.1 - 35.0 ºC

February

21.3 - 35.5 ºC

March

22.5 - 35.8 ºC

April

22.1 - 35.5 ºC

May

22.2 - 35.3 ºC

June

22.0 - 33.4 ºC

July

21.6 - 31.9 ºC

August

21.8 - 31.9 ºC

September

22.3 - 32.8 ºC

October

22.0 - 33.5 ºC

November

22.0 - 34.1 ºC

December

20.4 - 34.9 ºC

Major Airports :

Cochin International Airport (COK), Kochi

Nearest Railway Station :

Alleppey Railway Station

Major Airports :

Cochin International Airport (COK), Kochi

Welcome to a serene spiritual oasis

As you journey through the lush landscapes of Kerala's Alappuzha district, you'll discover a spiritual gem that seems to exist in a world of its own. This is the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, a sacred site where you feel so peaceful that time seems to slow down.

Have you ever explored a temple filled with unique traditions and cultural treasures? Well, that's what awaits you when you visit this sacred place. No wonder, devotees from nearby areas and across the country have been visiting here for centuries. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries by a local ruler, this temple is also one of the seven great Vaishnava temples in Kerala.

Embark on a spiritual sojourn

Step into the sacred precincts of the temple and you'll be greeted by the distinct traditional architectural style of Kerala with sloping roofs and a serene pond. As you walk towards the main shrine, your eyes are drawn to the revered idol of Lord Krishna, poised with a whip in one hand and a sacred conch in the other, reminiscent of the divine charioteer Parthasarathy. As you wander through the temple, you'll be captivated by the Dasavatharam (the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu) paintings that adorn the walls.

A sanctuary that awakens your senses

In the hallowed grounds of Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, a world of sensory wonders unfolds before you. The temple is renowned for Palpayasam, a milk porridge offering that you just can’t miss. This divine dessert is prepared daily; you can book it in the temple and receive it after it has been offered to the deity. What’s fascinating is that it is believed that Lord Guruvayoorappan visits the temple to enjoy Palpayasam daily!

Every twelve years, the temple grounds set the stage for the mystical Pallipaana ritual, in which Velans (traditional sorcerers) perform ancient rites that bridge the mortal and spiritual realms. Yet, this temple's cultural significance extends beyond this ritual. Here, the first notes of Ottanthullal resonated, giving birth to a powerful satirical folk art form that continues to serve as a mirror to society. If you plan your visit during Chambakulam Moolam, the main festival celebrated in the temple on Moolam Day (the 7th day of Onam), you can witness the live performance of Ottanthullal.

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Timings

Opening time - 04:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Where the god played a game of chess

Beyond its cultural significance, this temple is also steeped in a very interesting legend. As per the tale, a humble sage arrived at the royal court to challenge the chess-loving king to a game. The stakes? A single grain of rice doubling with each square on the chessboard. The king accepted the challenge, unaware of the cosmic trick about to unfold. As the game progressed, the king found himself outmanoeuvred. The seemingly simple bet had snowballed into an impossible debt, far exceeding the kingdom's rice reserves. In this moment of despair, the sage revealed his identity: he was none other than Lord Krishna. Then, he asked the king to serve Palpayasam daily at the temple until the debt was cleared. This legend also explains the origin of the temple's famous offering and teaches the importance of humility.

Extend your exploration

After soaking in the spiritual ambience of Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, explore nearby attractions as well. You can start by indulging in the serenity of Alappuzha Beach or simply embarking on a peaceful backwater cruise. If you are an art enthusiast, you will be charmed by the exquisite murals and artefacts at the Krishnapuram Palace, which is just a drive away.