Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, situated in the quaint town of Ambalappuzha in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, is a renowned spiritual destination. This ancient temple is devoted to Lord Krishna in his Parthasarathi (charioteer of Arjuna) form.
The Deity of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishnan is so unique and mind-blowing; it is seen holding a whip in one hand and a shanku in another hand. Though the Lord Sri Krishna is in the form of Parthasarathi, He is worshiped in the form of Gopalaka Krishna (Cowherd Boy).
This awe-inspiring temple is revered as Dakshina Dwarka, and it is one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams. This temple has the same sacredness as that of the divya deshams.
Every twelve years, a unique ritual known as Pallipaana is conducted by Velans, who are traditional sorcerers or ritual specialists. This ritual is performed to ward off evil forces that attack the deity, the temple, the surrounding land, and the people.
Ambalappuzha Unni Krishnan (little Krishna) is offered sweet, tasty, delicious Paal Payasam Naivedhyam. It is a tradition of the temple to offer the payasam every day to the Lord. After the naivedyam is offered to the Lord, the payasam is distributed to the devotees, and it gets over very soon by noon. Lord Guruvayoorappan Himself comes every afternoon to savor this delicious dish.
Famous Ambalappuzha Paal Payasam
Ambalappuzha Paal Payasam is a well-known and traditional sweet dish that is offered to Lord Sri Krishna at the Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple. This Paal Payasam is made from only simple ingredients, such as milk, water, rice, Khandasari sugar, and many others.
The preparation of the Paal Payasam follows a meticulous spiritual procedure. The rice and milk are boiled at a very slow pace. This milk is provided from the templs’s own dairy farm. A unique variety of red rice is used, which imparts a soft pink color to the dessert. Water drawn from the temple’s sacred well is also used in the process, ensuring the sanctity and traditional essence of the offering.
It tastes so authentic and mouth-quenching; this recipe has been passed down from many generations and can be dated back.
Here’s the history behind the Ambalappuzha Paal Payasam.
According to history, Lord Sri Krishna performed a wonderful lila to enchant the devotees. Once, Lord Sri Krishna appeared in the form of a Sage and challenged the King of Ambalappuzha to a game of chess. Being a chess enthusiast, he immediately accepted the offer. The king asked the sage to choose the prize for winning the game. The sage, being very modest, asked only for a few grains of rice.
Soon, the game of chess began. In the end, the game was won by the sage. When asked about the prize, the king started counting according to the conditions. As per the conditions, there was one grain in the first square, two grains in the second square, four grains in the third square, eight grains in the fourth square, sixteen grains were placed on the fifth square, with the number of grains continuing to grow in a geometric sequence on each subsequent square. The king became indebted to the sage. He emptied the royal grain treasury, but still could not pay.
King felt very sad and did not know what to do. Seeing the plight of King, the sage revealed his original form. Lord Krishna said to the king that to clear the debt, you must offer payasam to all the devotees daily without any cost. Continue this until the debt is clear.
This is the interesting fact behind the Ambalappuzha Pal Payasam being served daily. Hope you visit this temple to enjoy the tasty Paal Payasam.
Architecture of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
Between the 15th and 17th centuries, this exquisite temple was built in the Kerala style of architecture by Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran.
The Chuttambalam of the temple is adorned with a magnificent painting of Dashavataram, showcasing the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, offering a visual feast for visitors.
Festivals of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
Champakkulam Moolam Vallam Kali: It is the most prominent boat race festival held in the town of Champakkulam. The Chundan Vallams, or snake boat races, are held on the Pamba River. It falls on the Moolam day of the Malayalam masam Mithunam (June-July).
Arattu: It is a 10-day festival celebrated in the Malayalam masam “Meenam,” starting on Atham day.
Temple Timings of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
The darshan timings of Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple are as follows:
Morning: 3:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Best Time to Visit Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
The ideal time to explore the Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is between October and March. During these months, the weather remains pleasant, making it comfortable for pilgrims.
Nearby Places to Visit
Mannarasala Sri Nagaraja Temple: It is a famous Nagaraja temple located in Haripad in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main deities of the temple are Nagaraja and Sarpayakshini.
Sri Ganesh Temple Mullackall: It is located in the Mullackall market area in Allappey. The temple is devoted to the worship of Lord Ganesha. It serves as a sacred site where devotees offer prayers to the elephant-headed deity.
Mullakkal Rajeshwari Temple: This temple is also known as Mullakkal Bhagawati Temple. Goddess Rajeshwari is the main deity of the temple.
Chettikulangara Bhagawathi Temple: It is the most famous temple in Kerala, located in Mavelikara in the Alappuzha district. The main deity of the temple is Chettikulangara Bhagawati. Chettikulangara Bharani is the main festival of the temple.
Vembanadu Lake: It is also known as Vembanadu Kayal, and is a picturesque destination offering stunning views. It holds the title of the longest lake in India.
Krishnapuram Palace: This temple, constructed in the traditional Kerala architectural style by King Marthanda Varma of Travancore, is a must-visit destination for everyone.
How to Reach Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
If you plan to visit Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple and other sacred places, consider taking Tirtha Yatra’s world-famous spiritual Kerala Yatra. All arrangements are well taken care of.
If you prefer to travel by yourself, here are a few options.
By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. From here, you can hire a taxi or an auto to reach the destination. Also, there are frequent buses that ply from the airport to the temple.
By Railway: Ambalapuzzha Railway Station is the nearest railway station. From here, you can hire a taxi or an auto rickshaw to reach the temple.
By Road: Ambalapuzzha Bus Stand is the nearest bus stand. National Highway NH-66 makes it very easily accessible by road.
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