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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple located in Kerala is a heaven for people seeking peace. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple. People call the deity as Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy at this temple. Also, Lord Krishna is Lord Vishnu’s other image. There is also a story behind the name of God. Lord Krishna rode the chariot of warrior Arjuna during a battle. Hence people call Him Parthasarathy.

The place is a world heritage site. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage site.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple History

As per myth, the temple was originally built near Sabarimala. The famous Tamil classic, Divya Prabandha mentions this temple. This classic dates back to the 6th to the 9th century.

Planning to visit Sabarimala? Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates for 2019.

This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.

After leaving their capital city, Hastinapur for pilgrimage, the Pandavas arrived at the banks of River Pampa. These temples were built at that time. Every temple has an image of Lord Krishna.

As per legends, Arjuna built the temple as a penance of killing Karna. As it is against ethics to kill an unarmed warrior.

Also, here Lord Vishnu provided information about creating the world to Lord Brahma. This took place when Madhukaitaka demons stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu also came in front of Vedavyasa here.

There is also a story behind the image of Parthasarathy that is present at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. During the great Mahabharata battle, Arjuna did not want to fight against Bheeshma. Lord Krishna was angry and took up his discus. Seeing this Bheeshma surrendered. This image of Parthasarathy with discus is present at the temple. This pose is the Vishvarupa pose.

Another myth states that the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple image was brought on a raft. The raft was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, people call the temple as Aranmula. The word Aranmula means six bamboo pieces.

There is also another myth regarding the name. The place derives its name from the word arin villai. This word means a land near the river.

Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Significance of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is important in the Hindu religious history as:

  • It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples of India. Moreover, the temple is mentioned in Tamil classics.
  • There is a sub shrine in the temple complex. People worship Lord Balarama in this shrine.
  • The temple shows Kerala construction style. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The whole temple is on a raised platform. People need to climb 18 steps to reach the eastern tower. The northern tower is 57 steps high. Sreekovil is the main part of the temple that houses the deity.
  • The base of the central temple is granite while the entire structure is laterite. The conical roof represents terracotta art. There is a kalasam at the temple which is copper.
  • The temple has four towers over its gateways on the outer wall. It has a double storied gopuram. The gopuram is a gateway tower. The upper part has wooden trails. There is a hall on the upper part, the Kottupura. Drum beating takes place during festivals in this hall.
  • The outer wall has places for lamps. These lamps are lit during the festivals. Also, there is a rectangular wall around the temple. This wall protects all the temples which are within the complex.
  • There is a metal flag post in the temple complex. This is the Dwajasthambam which is at the axial to the temple tower. There is also a light post at the temple. It is Deepastamba.
  • There is an outer pavilion to the temple. It is Chuttuambalam. The main temple and the hall is within a rectangular structure. This is the Nallambalam. This hall has pillars and corridors. The Namaskara Mandapa is a square platform. The Mandapa roof looks like a pyramid.
  • There are other parts to the temple as well. The kitchen, Thevrapura is at the left of the Namaskara Mandapa. Balithara is the altar used to make offerings to demigods during festivals.
  • The temple is also famous for its mural paintings. These paintings belong to the early 18th century. The doors have paintings of Dwarpalakas. They are the guardian deities.
  • The temple also has beautiful carvings. The carvings show stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These intricate carvings are present at the pillars. These are wooden and stucco carvings.
  • Besides Lord Krishna, the other deities present at the temple are Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Timings

  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 8 pm. The afternoon break timings are from 11 am to 5 pm.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Food Timings

Devotees can get prasadam after the morning Pooja.

Dress Code at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The dress code of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is quite similar to the other temples of the state.

  • Men have to be in dhoti. Shirts or upper clothing has to be deposited at the temple counter before entering the temple.
  • Ladies have to be in traditional dress. Sari, salwar kameez and half sari are some examples.

Festivals celebrated at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple celebrates Lord Krishna festivals with great pomp and grandeur.

  • Ashtamirohini: This is the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates this festival with great pomp and grandeur. A large feast takes place on this date. This feast also has a name, ‘vallasadya.’ It is one of the largest vegetarian feasts in the world. The festival includes 64 types of dishes. The devotees offer the food to Lord Krishna. Besides feasting, the deities are carried around Aranmula on this day. Another important part of the festival is the boat rides. A special boat, Palliyodam sails over River Pampa. These boats look like snakes and many people ride them. This custom of boat race also has a name, Vallam Kali. People worship the boat before the race starts as locals believe these boats are vehicles of Lord Aranmula. People use many types of flowers to worship the boats. 100 rowers take part in the race. Also, 25 singers take part in this race. They sing songs as the boats sail on the river. The boats sail in pairs. People also play music. The festival goes on from July to October. This is also the time of Onam festival in Kerala.
  • Procession: A large procession on the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River takes place during the Meenam month. Along with Lord Parthasarathy, Goddess Bhagavathy also participates in the procession. The idol of the goddess comes from the Punnamthode temple.
  • Khandavanadahanam: This festival takes place during Dhanus month. Devotees create an artificial forest at the temple front. People use dried plants, leaves and twigs to make the forest. A bonfire is lit after this. This festival shows the fire that took place at the Khandavana forest. This is also a story from Mahabharata.
  • Fasting: This custom takes place during Thiruvonam. Three Brahmin families in Aranmula fast at this time. Brahmin families from Nedumprayar village also fast at this time. This is a two centuries old custom. As per myth, one Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim every day. Lord Krishna was pleased with the vow. Thus, He came to bless the priest. The Brahmin was very happy and he started to conduct a feast every year. This feast takes place after the boat race.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Sevas and Poojas

The temple has its own customs, like:

  • Only Thantri and Melshanthi can enter the Sreekovil. Thantri refers to the main priest while Melshanthi refers to the second priest.
  • Thiruvonathoni: This is a famous custom of the temple. The ritual takes place during the Onam festival.

How to Reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula is easily reachable from all parts of the state as it is just 116 km from Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.

Here’s how to reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:

  • By Air: The Trivandrum airport is very close to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Kochi International Airport is also a choice for the tourists who want to visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Taxis and buses are available from the airport which can directly take the tourists to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is at Chengannur. Tourists can hire cabs from the railway station. Buses are also available here.
  • By Road: Besides planes and railways, you can travel to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on roads. There are many buses and other transport available which connect the various cities of Kerala to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Chengannur is only 10 km from the temple. Pathanamthitta is 15 km and Pandalam is 14 km from the shrine.

Where to stay nearby

Hotel All Season, Hotel Santhi Palace, Bessota International Hotel, Club 7 Hotel, CGA Elite Continental and Contour Backwaters are just 21 km from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. These hotels also have all basic facilities.

Where to eat

There are some good eat outs near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Favourite, Hotel Aryaas Park, J’ Mart Arabian Restaurant, Khyber Pass Bake & Grill, Union Bakery, Arabian Restaurant and Vensec Kitchens serve delicious food. The eat outs are also clean.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, this temple village has some other shrines and groves.

Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also worth a visit. It is just 4 km from Aranmula. As per myth, this was the worship place for the Pandavas. The Pandavas are the main characters in a great Indian epic. This great epic is Mahabharata. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti looks after the temple.

River Pampa flows by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and you can spend some relaxing moments sitting on its banks. The village is also famous for its mirrors. These mirrors are metallic. People call these mirrors as Aranmula Kannadi. Hence visiting Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is just not a pilgrimage but a trip to refresh your inner soul.

Sree Vallabha Temple Thiruvalla Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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Sree Vallabha Temple is located at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is a 400-year-old temple on the banks of the River Manimala. The temple has a beautiful 8 ft idol of Sree Vallabha within the sanctum sanctorum. The legendary architect Perunthachan constructed the unique Garuda Sthambha. 54 ft flag mast is made of a single block of granite.

Sree Vallabha Temple is considered as the most important temple for Vaishnavites all over India due to the presiding deity is Lord Maha Vishnu. As offerings by devotees Kathakali is performed almost on all days in Thiruvalla Temple. It is believed that its bottom touches the water table. Thiruvalla Temple has a Garudathara, which is unique and appeared magnificent. This also has a Garuda’s image atop.

There are sub-shrines around the Thiruvalla temple for Ayyapa, Karuppaya Swamy etc. The idol on the pillar is depicted as like a human form with beaks, and wings stretched and hands bowing. There is a legend that when the Garuda’s idol was erected on those pillar centuries back. It was about to fly off and so placed it in position by chains. It was erected after two years of consecration of Sree Vallabha’s idol. The idol of Maha Vishnu or Sree Vallabha was sculpted by Viswakarma at the behest of Lord Krishna and was given to Satyaki at the end of Dwapara Yuga.

Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga, Lord asked Garuda to keep the idol in safe custody. Keeping this in mind Garuda kept it in Netravati river which flows from Karnataka to Kerala. Later, the royal consort of Cheraman Perumal – the emperor of Kerala had a dream that the idol of Krishna was lying on the bed of Netravati river. All efforts were taken to search the idol.

Thiruvalla Temple

History and Legend of Sree Vallabha Temple

  • In a place called Sankaramangalam nearby, there was a very devout old lady. She was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and was referred to by people as Sankaramangalathu amma. She was very particular about observing Ekadasi. An ogre called Thugala (tholaga) used to trouble her a lot. On Dwadasi day she could not find any Brahmin to partake of her food. Lord Vishnu himself took the form of a Brahmachari and came there as her guest.
  • Sankaramangalathamma requested him to take a bath in the nearby well and come in. Lord Vishnu asked her whether there are any rivers nearby. She then told him that an Asura was living near the river and was not allowing anyone to take a bath there. Lord Vishnu went to the river and killed the Tholagasura with his Sudarshana Chakra and washed the Chakra in the river.
  • This place is presently referred to as Chakrasala ghat. When the lord returned, there were four more Brahmins. Sankakamangalathamma served food to all the five of them in areca nut sheath. Even today this feeding is done in areca nut sheath and is referred to as Paala Bhojanam.
  • Once some Brahmins came to her house and requested for food. She told them that it was Ekadasi, they laughed at her and informed her that the day was Dasami. To prove the same, one of them who was an astrologer, did a Prasna to find out the exact Thithi. The Prasna showed that it was Ekadasi but when they stepped out of the house, it showed it was Dasami.
  • It is believed that when Lord Vishnu came as a Brahmachari to the house of Sankaramangalathamma he consecrated His Sudarshana Chakra there. This Chakra has eight corners denoting Conch, wheel, mace, lotus flower, rope, goad, bow and stick.
  • Sacred ash called Vibhuthi is given as Prasada in this temple of Chakra. The main deity of this temple is Sri Vallabha. This is an eight-foot-tall idol in the standing pose which faces east. Here sandalwood paste is given instead of sacred ash. There is a story about Sri Vallabha.
  • When Cheraman Perumal was ruling Kerala, God appeared in his dreams and pointed out the exact location of the idol and asked him to consecrate it in a temple. The king found the idol and since there was an empty temple in Thiruvalla which was waiting for a suitable idol, the king consecrated the divine idol there. When the original idol ordered for that temple came, it was consecrated in a place called Malayin Keezh.
  • Malayin Keezh calls their God as Thiruvalla Appan even today. There is a stone inscription on the temple indicating that it was constructed in the year 59 AD. Padathi Banana was used as an offering by Sage Durvasa when he visited the temple. Even today Padathi Pazham is offered to the God. If one is looking at the face of the idol, one will not be able to see his feet and vice versa. The temple is built in such away.

Significance of Sree Vallabha Temple

  • Performing Kathakali is one of the main forms of worship to this Lord. It seems when Vilwamangalathu Swamiyar visited this temple, he found the Lord watching Kathakali along with the audience. Thereafter, whenever Kathakali is performed at this temple, they keep a seat covered with silk. And a lamp-lit near this divine seat.
  • Thiruvalla Temple was once a place famous for Vedic schools. There were more than 1000 students and 100 teachers in this Vedic school and was famous as Thiruvalla Sala. It was as famous as Thirumoozhikkulam Sala (Vedic school in Thirumoozhikkulam Temple) and was bigger than Niranam Sala and Kaviyoor sala.

Sree Vallabha Temple Timings

  • Thiruvalla Temple is open from 4:30 AM  to 11:30 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM  8:00 PM  in the evening.
  • The Palli Unarthal and Abhishekam is carried out in the temple from 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM. It is followed by the first pooja at 7:00 AM.
  • Thiruvalla Temple closes in the afternoon after Ucha Shiveli at 11:30 AM. It opens in the evening at 5:00 PM.
  • The Deeparadhana is performed from 6:30 PM  to 7:00 PM. It is followed by the Naalaam Pooja and Ancham Pooja.
  • Thiruvalla Temple closes at 8:00 PM after the Athazha Shiveli.

Festivals celebrated at the Sree Vallabha Temple

Uthra Sree Bali

Vadakkenada remains closed throughout the year except on the day of ‘Uthra Sree Bali’.  All the three Goddesses assemble together in the ‘North Nada’. The doors of the north gate tower are opened only at this auspicious time and the Goddesses are received with all spiritual austerity. Thousands of devotees assemble to see the majestic scene and also to offer their worship to the great Lord Vishnu along with the three goddesses. They are supposed to be the part of the almighty himself. All the three goddesses are taken to the ensign where the goddess Padappadu and Karunattukavu. Alumthuruthy goes inside the temple to invite Sreevallabha and Sudarsanamurthy.

Ekadasi Festival

One of the most important festivals of the town, Ekadasi Festival is celebrated on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. The Vrishchika Ekadasi has special importance in the town. A highlight of this festival is the commemorative plaque for Gajarajan Kesavan.

Utsavam or Annual Festival

This festival is celebrated on the day of Pushya in the month of February-March and is meant for the purification and revitalizing the powers of the deity.

Kathakali had become the greatest offering to Sreevallabha. The devotees of Sreevallabha used to offer Kathakali to him. This is the only temple in India where the maximum number of Kathakali are being performed every year.

Poojas and Rituals at Sree Vallabha Temple

  • In Thiruvalla Temple the deity is worshipped five times a day in different forms. In the early morning pooja, the deity is worshipped as Brahmachari. In the Pandeerati pooja, he is worshipped as a sanyasi. And during the noon Pooja he is worshipped as Vasudeva dressed in royal attire.
  • In the evening Pooja the deity is worshipped as Narayana. During night Pooja he is worshipped as Lakshmi Narayana. While the goddess is dressed in the usual manner, God during this Pooja is dressed as a Sanyasi. There is a custom is to keep all material necessary for doing pooja inside the sanctum sanctorum before closing the door. As it is believed that sage Durvasa would come in the night and do Pooja to the Lord.
  • Poojas for Lord Sudarsana is according to Ahirbhudhnya Samhitha.  After athazha, pooja Lord’s idol will be decorated with a Kavi Mundu and a long tulsi garland. For ucha pooja nivedyam, there must be truppuli, erisseri, parippu, upperi and uppu manga.  After athazha pooja, there is a ritual called Pallikkuruppu for Lord Sree Vallabha and Lakshmi Devi. It is held at Palliyara and closes the doors of the temple. In the morning poojas begin after Palliyyunarthal at Palliyara.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: Trivandrum is the nearest airport. One can also reach the temple from Kochi airport.  There are no flights available between Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvalla, but there are 20 direct trains from Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvalla.

By Train: Thiruvalla Railway station is about 30kms South of Kottayam on the Ernakulam-Kottayam-Kayankulam rail route. The temple is roughly 3 km from the railway station. It is also well connected to major cities like Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai via Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Express, and Kerala Express.

By Road: One can take State transport bus to Thiruvalla. There is Ers Patna Exp from Coimbatore to Srikalahasti if one is coming from Coimbatore.

Where to stay

Thiruvalla has some deluxe accommodation options. Bessota International Hotel (Thiruvalla), John’s Homestay (Thiruvalla) and Hotel Voyage (Thiruvalla) are popular deluxe accommodation options in the city. The hotels are homely and laced with modern amenities.

Where to eat

There are numerous hotels and restaurants for the convenience of the hoards of tourists visiting the destination. Restaurants are the perfect places to eat, drink and be merry. These are restaurants that offer a wide variety of delicacies and most of them are pretty affordable too. It is designed to suit everyone’s budget and taste. 

  • Hotel Aryaas Park Contact: Deepa Junction, Thiruvalla, India
  • The Food Village Contact: Kallisery P.O, Thiruvalla 689124
  • Arabian Restaurant Contact: Thiruvalla, India
  • Phosphorous Restaurant Contact: No 77, Club 7 Hotel | Scs Junction, Thiruvalla

Nearby Temples

Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple: Kaviyoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the most ancient and popular Hindu temples located at the village of Kaviyoor. It is at a distance of 6kms from Thiruvalla town in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Aval Nadyam and Vada Mala is the main offering to the presiding deity at Kaviyoor Mahadevar Temple. This can be offered after making a receipt from the counter. There are a number of rituals that are performed to please the presiding deity on a daily basis. Kaviyoor is another noted shrine which stands on a small hillock. It is built in the gable style architecture peculiar to Kerala.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, Dress Code, and History

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Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the most prominent temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The temple is one of the only few temples dedicated to the Lord in which he is worshiped in the “Ananta Shayanam” position. The temple has been declared as the richest Hindu Temple in the world and as the wealthiest religious institution in the World.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Facts

DeityLord Padmanabhaswamy (Lord Vishnu)
LocationTrivandrum, Kerala
ToursKerala Temple Tour
EntryFree
Darshan Timings3:00 AM to 7:20 PM
PoojasUsha Pooja, Ucha Pooja
Best Time to VisitOctober to March
FestivalsVishu, Ram Navami, Siveli
Padmanabhaswamy Temple Video

What are the timings of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple opens at 3:30 AM and closes at 7:20 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas.

The timings are as follows:

RitualFromTo
Deepardhanai3:30 AM4:45 AM
Early Morning Darshan6:30 AM7:30 AM
Morning Darshan8:30 AM10:00 AM
Darshan10:30 AM11:10 AM
Afternoon Aarti11:45 AM12:00 PM
Evening Darshan5:00 PM6:15 PM
Evening Aarti6:45 PM7:20 PM

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is closed for darshan between 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Padmanabhaswamy-Temple-Timings

What are the poojas and sevas at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Deepardhanai: This is the first ritual of the day and is performed early in the morning at 3:30 AM. The lamps are lit and amidst the chantings of holy mantras and shlokas, God is awakened from his sleep.
  • Usha Pooja: This pooja is performed after the first Deepardhanai. The God is bathed with holy water and then decorated with flowers, Basil, and Sandalwood Paste.
  • Pantheeradi Pooja: This pooja is performed at 6:00 AM.
  • Ucha Pooja: This ritual is performed at mid-day. After the ritual, Naivedyam is offered to the Lord and then the sanctum doors are closed for darshan.

Besides these main poojas, several archanas can be performed dedicated to the Lord on behalf of the devotee. Some of the common Archanas are Ashtotthara Archana, Sahasranama Archana, Bhoosooktha Archana, Sreesooktha Archana, Bhagyasooktha Archana, Swayamvara Archana, and the Lakshmi Narayana Mantra Archana.

What is the significance of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Padmanabhaswamy-Vishnu

The significance of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes of Lord Vishnu) glorified in the famous Tamil literary work Divya Prabandha by the Tamil Alvar Saints between the periods of 6th to the 9th century. In the 8th century, Alvar named Nammalvar sang praises of Sri Padmanabha.

The main idol of the presiding deity is awe-inspiring and unique in itself. The idol is made of 12,008 Shaligramam stones (the aniconic form of Lord Vishnu, taken from the banks of the Gandaki River that flows through India and Nepal). The Lord reclines on Adi Shesha Naga with his right hand atop the Linga of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma can be seen appearing out of the navel of Lord Vishnu on a Lotus. The two consorts of Lord Vishnu can be seen accompanying him on his sides. To a devotee, the idol is visible through three doors, the first one showing Lord Vishnu with hands-on Lord Shiva, Goddess Sridevi and Lord Brahma are visible through the second door and Goddess Bhudevi and Kaudinya Muni through the third door.

The Katusarkara Yogam, which is a special Ayurvedic mixture of Herbs is plastered over the whole idol of Lord Padmanabha. The paste keeps the idol of the deity clean.

It is believed that the Thiruvambadi shrine dedicated to Sri Krishna Swamy situated inside the main Temple complex predates the main shrine. The shrine is built on the site where Sage Vilvamangalathu is believed to have been buried.

It is been established that six sealed vaults are present beneath the temple premises. The contents of these vaults are considered highly valuable and a secret. Among them is the valued Vault B. It remained closed to the public for centuries. However, on an order of the Supreme Court of India, the vault was opened and treasures were discovered whose value is estimated to be about 1 Trillion US Dollars. A small antechamber within the vault still remains closed to the public as the doors are extremely hard to open and are carved with figures of snakes. It is believed that opening the vault will displease the Lord and create havoc in the region.

What is the history of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

According to history, the exact date or year of construction for the temple is unknown. However, the temple, as well as the city, has been mentioned as the Golden Temple in the Sangam literature (Tamil literature) as early as 500 BC and 300 AD. Many scholars believe that the whole city surrounding the temple was extremely rich and was covered in gold.

It is believed by scholars that the temple was a site of worship since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Several records written on Palm Leaf have been handed down through several

As per the legend, Sage Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar performed Tapasya or Penance for obtaining a Darshan of Lord Vishnu. The Lord is believed to have presented himself to him as a small mischievous orphan boy. The Sage allowed him to stay with him on the condition that he will not disturb him during his prayers. After some days, the boy disrupted his Pooja by defining the image of the Lord. The Sage became angry and chased the boy away. Just before leaving, the boy told the sage that is he wants to find him, he must visit Ananthankadu.

The Sage realized that the boy was the Lord himself. He turned repentant and searched Ananthankadu. He eventually found the boy merging into the “Illuppa Tree” (Indian Butter Tree). The tree fell down and transformed into a huge figure of Lord Vishnu in the Anantha Shayanam form. The figure was so huge that the head lay in Thiruvallam (5 km from the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Shrine) and the feet lay at Trippapur (8 km on the other side).

Overwhelmed by the occurrence, the Sage requested the Lord to condense his form so that he could witness his entire form. As per his wish, Lord Vishnu shrank his form. The Sage immediately offered a dry mango in a Coconut shell (the same is offered to the deity till date). The spot where the Sage was given a darshan belonged to Koopakkara and Karuva Potti. A small shrine was built at the site with the help of local Brahmins.

What is the architecture of Padmanabhaswamy Temple like?

Padmanabhaswamy Temple’s architecture is a mix of the Kerala style and the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple architecturally resembles the Adikesava Perumal Temple located in Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu. The Gopuram is dated to the 16th century. The idol of the deity in the main sanctum is mesmerizing and a treat to any devout Hindu. The Lord can be seen reclining on the Shesha Naga with his hand placed on the Shiva Lingam.

Several features of the architecture of the temple are worth noticing. The temple has nine entrances representing the nine orifices of the human body. The Ottakal Mandapam is carved out of single granite stone. The pillars at the corners of the Kulashekara Mandapam produce musical notes when they are struck.

The Moolasthanam or the Garbhagriha of the Temple is located at the Ananthapuram Temple in Kasargod, Kerala. The antiquity and the historical significance of the Temple can be adjudged by the fact that shrine is mentioned in several Puranas like the Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Padma Purana, Matsya Purana, and the Varaha Purana.

The Sabha Mandap is called the Ottakal Mandapam as it is carved out of a single rock. Besides the main shrine, the temple also constitutes the shrines of Sri Ugra Narasimha (Thekkadom) and Sri Krishna Swami (Lord of Thiruvambadi or Parthasarathy). Apart from these two subsidiary shrines, small shrines dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman, Lord Ganesha, Lord Sastha, Garuda, Hanuman, and Balarama.

What is the dress code at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

The temple follows a strict dress code for both men and women. Men must wear Dhoti with or without an Angavastram. Women must wear a Saree or a half saree only. Dhotis are available for hire outside the temple premises. Photography is banned inside the temple premises.

The entry to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is restricted to Hindus only.

What are the festivals celebrated at Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Alpasi and Meenam Utsavam: The temple celebrated two festivals in a year – the Alpasi and the Meenam occurring in October – November, and March – April respectively. Each festival is celebrated for 10 days. The event starts with the flag hoisting ceremony which is meant to be an invitation to all Gods and Goddesses to attend the rituals. Special processions are conducted around the temple premises twice every day. Six different Vahanas are used to carry the Utsava Moorthy of Lord Padmanabhaswamy around the temple. These Vahanas are called the Simhasana, Anantha, Kamala, Pallaku, Garuda, and Indra. On the ninth day, the ritual of Pallivetta is conducted which symbolizes a royal hunt during which the Lord comes down and annihilates all the ills of the society.
  • Swargavathil or Vaikunta Ekadasi: The highly auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu falls on the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Dhanur (December – January). It is ardently believed that Lord Vishnu opens the gates of Vaikuntam on this day. Devotees observe rigorous fast on this day and dedicate the day to worshipping Lord Vishnu. It is believed that one can liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death.
  • Vishu: The day marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. The festival is celebrated with great fanfare with fireworks and Vishukanni playing a major role in the festivities. On this day, the Vishukanni (ritual arrangement of auspicious articles such as rice, fruits, and vegetables around the deity) is arranged inside the inner sanctum.
  • Lakshadeepam: The unique festival is celebrated once in 6 years. The recitation of the holy Vedas is done for 56 days prior to the day of Lakshadeepam. On this auspicious day, one lakh lamps are lit and decorated around the temple premises giving it a grand appearance.
  • Onam: The grand festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of King Mahabali. It is also believed that the day signifies the birth of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. The festival is celebrated for ten days in the month of Chingam (first month of the Malayalam calendar). The Onavillu Charthal is the highlight of the Onam celebrations. Onavillu is a ceremonial bow-shaped wooden piece that is carved out of trees like Kadambu, Jackfruit or Maruthu. They are decorated with miniature paintings of the Anantha Shayanam posture of Lord Vishnu.

Some of the other important festivals celebrated at the temple premises are Ashtami Rohini (Krishna Janmashtami), Vinayaka Chaturthi, Navaratri, Mahashivarati, and Ram Navami.

How to reach Thiruvananthapuram?

  • By Air: The city of Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum is well connected to cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Cochin. The International Airport connects the city to the Gulf countries as well as Colombo and Male.
  • By Train: Thiruvananthapuram is well connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ernakulum, Jammu, Guwahati, and Coimbatore.
  • By Road: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates regular buses to Thiruvananthapuram out of several neighbouring cities and towns within Kerala as well as from other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Where to stay near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

A large number of hotels and lodges are dispersed throughout the city. They offer quality and clean accommodation to the visitors. Some of the five-star options are Vivant any Taj and Hilton Garden Inn. Medium range and budget hotels are available easily. However, advance booking is preferred, especially during the peak season.

Where to eat near the Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Thiruvananthapuram is a bustling city that offers a wide variety of culinary delights to visitors. The city is famous for fresh and delicious seafood. Some of the most popular food joints that one must visit are Hotel Rahmaniya (home of the patented Kethel Chicken Fry), Zam Zam, Sree Guruvayurappan Hotel, and Ayswariya Hotel. The local Kerala Cuisine is simple and delicious. One must try Appam, Puttu, Curry Meen, Fish Moile and Kappa Biryani when visiting the city.

What are some temples near Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

  • Attukal Temple: The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is located just 2 km from the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kannagi who is believed to be a form of Goddess Parvati. The famous Attukal Pongal festival is celebrated every year at the Temple in the month of February – March. The festival holds the Guinness World Record for the feat of Single largest gathering of women for a religious activity.
  • Andoor Kandan Sree Dharma Sastha Temple: The temple is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Dharmasastha or more popularly known as Lord Ayyappa. The deity faces the west. The deity is presented in a posture named Chinmudra or Nyaana Mudra which symbolizes the union of Aatma and Paramaatma.
  • Amunthirathu Devi Temple: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Amunthirathamma, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Bhadrakali. The unique feature of the idol is that it is made of Krishna Shila and represents an Ardha Padmasana posture. The idol length is 48 Angula ( an ancient form of measurement, 1 Angula = 1.76 cm). The 4 represents the four holy Vedas. The digit 8 represents prosperity called Ashtaishwaryam. These are Dhanya, Dhana, Adhi, Veera, Vijaya, Sandhana, Gaja and Bhagya.
  • Janardanaswamy Temple: The 2000-year-old temple is located at Varkala, 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram. The Temple legends state that this is the place where Lord Vishnu displayed the form of “Vishwaroopam” to Lord Brahma, who was conducting a Yagna at the site. This is also believed to be the place where the nine Prajapathis of Lord Brahma conducted a Yagna to seek forgiveness from Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu after they laughed and ridiculed them.

If you have any questions about The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Sabarimala Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

, 22 Comments Filed Under: Kerala Temples Tagged With:

Dharmasastha Sabarimala Temple located at Sabarimala in the Pattanamthittu district of Kerala. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sastha, popularly known as Lord Ayyapan. The Sabarimala Temple is located at the peak of a hilltop named Sabarimala at an altitude of 1535 feet. The temple complex is surrounded by dense forests which have been converted into the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The forest is locally known as Poomkavanam.

Here are the opening and closing dates for Sabarimala Temple for 2019 – 2020.

Sabarimala Temple – Facts

DeityLord Ayyappa (Lord Dharmasastha)
LocationPattanamthittu, Kerala
Entry FeeGeneral Darshan: Free
Darshan
Timings 		4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
PoojasPadi Pooja, Neyyabhishekam, Harivarasanam
Best Time
to Visit		November to January
FestivalsVishu, Makara Jyothi
Sabarimala Temple Video

In Hinduism, Lord Dharmasastha is also popularly known as Manikandan and Ayyapan. He is the son of Harihara, often called as Hariharaputra. Hari refers to Lord Vishnu and Hara refers to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Dharmasastha was born out of the union of Mohini (an avatar of Vishnu) and Lord Shiva. He holds the combined powers of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Ayyapan is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Dharmasastha and a visual representation of the unity of Shiva and Vishnu.

The Sabarimala Temple can be visited by only men. Devotees who wish to get Lord Ayyapan’s blessings must fast for 41 days. They wear a black or blue dress, do not shave and smear Vibhuti or Chandan on their forehead. They wear a Rudraksha or Tulasi mala as a sign of fasting.  The devotees are required to abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol, tobacco, sexual intercourse, foul language, shaving, haircut, and nail trimming.

The Sabarimala Temple is also a fine example of the integration of the Buddhist religious beliefs with the Hindu system of worship. Historically, it is believed that a Buddhist shrine existed in the vicinity where the present temple is situated. The temple was dedicated to the Buddhist God Avalokitesvara, an avatar of Bodhisattva.

Where is Sabarimala Temple

What are the timings of the Sabarimala Temple?

The Sabarimala Temple opens at 4:00 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas. The temple remains closed from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM.

The timings of the Sabarimala Temple are:

RitualTiming
Darshan Starts4:00 AM
Nirmalya Darshanam4:05 AM
Ganapati Homam4:15 AM
Usha Pooja (Morning Pooja)7:30 AM
Ucha Pooja (Noon Pooja)1:00 PM
Deeparadhana (Evening Pooja)6:30 PM
Athazha Pooja (Night Pooja)10:30 PM
Temple Closes11:00 PM

The temple is open to male devotees during the days of Mandalapooja, Makaravilakku (Makara Sankranthi), and Vishu. The temple also remains open on the first five days as per the Malayalam calendar.

What are the poojas and rituals at Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Padi Pooja
  • Neyyabhishekam: The Abhishekam is considered as the best way to do service for God. Pilgrims bring Ghee inside a coconut from their homes. For the pilgrims coming from outside, the temple makes arrangements for the seva. These coconuts are then opened and the deity is bathed with the Ghee. It is believed that the Ghee symbolizes the human soul and by pouring it over the God, one merges himself with the Paramatma.
  • Ashtabhishekam: This Abhishekam is one of the popular Abhishekam performed on request of the devotees. The eight items used for the Abhishekam are Vibhuti, Milk, Honey, Panchamrutam, Tender Coconut water, Sandalwood paste (Chandan), Rosewater and Water.
  • Ayyappachakram: The Ayyappa Chakram can be obtained at the temple counter and this is presented at the feet of the Lord to receive his blessings.
  • Ganapathy Homam: The Homam can be done at the Temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. This Homam should be performed at the beginning of any ventures in life, whether personal or professional.
  • Kalabhabhishekam: The Kalabhabhishekam is performed for strengthening the intelligence and consciousness of the devotee. The special pooja is performed with great reverence and dedication.
  • Laksharchana: The names of the Lord are repeated in the form of a mantra 1 lakh times. The names are repeated in a group.
  • Nithya Pooja: All the poojas of the day are performed for the Lord on behalf of the devotee.
  • Padi Pooja: This unique and grand pooja is performed for the holy 18 steps of the temple sanctum. Each step represents a facet of life and is worshipped separately. It is believed that one attains spiritual enlightenment after performing the pooja and is relieved of all curses and evil effects in his life. The booking for the pooja must be done online or much before in advance.
  • Sahasrakalasam: The ritual involves offering 1000 pots (gold. silver and brass) of holy water to the Lord. The pooja is performed for the general happiness of mankind.
  • Udayasthamana Pooja: This unique pooja is a ritual where 15 special poojas are performed throughout the day (Udaya for Sunrise and Astha for Sunset) for the deity in the name of the devotee. The rituals begin at dawn and proceeds in succession till dusk after which the devotee and other attendees are given prasadam of the pooja.
  • Harivarasanam: The most popular devotional song dedicated to Lord Ayyapan is the famous composition Harivarasanam written by Srinivasa Iyer. It is a lullaby for the Lord and is sung in front of the main shrine after the night pooja every day. The composition is written in Sanskrit and is 8 stanzas long with 352 letters

What is the significance of the Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Ayyapa Swamy

The idol of the presiding deity is made of the special Panchaloha element. The Panchaloha is traditionally an alloy of five metals. The composition of the alloy was kept as a secret for several centuries and is often mentioned in the Shilpa Shastras. The metals involved were later found out to be a mix of Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron and Lead. It is believed that worshipping idols made of the Panchaloha material imparts balance, self-confidence, health, fortune and peace of mind.

The 18 steps that one has to climb to reach the main sanctum are extremely sacred to the devotees. They have been mentioned in several religious texts and several songs and bhajans have been composed about them. Several versions are present regarding the importance of the 18 steps. According to a popular belief, the first five steps represent the five senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), the next eight represent the Ragas (Tatwa, Kama, Krodha, Moha, Lobha, Madha, Matsraya, and Ahamkara), the next three represent the Gunas (Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas) and the last two, Vidya and Avidya. It is believed that anyone who climbs these steps achieves self-realisation. Some also believe that the 18 steps denote the number of weapons with which the Lord annihilated Mahishi and some believe that each step represents each Purana.

It is believed that on the day of Makara Vilakku, Lord Dharmasastha stops his penance to bless the devotees visiting Sabarimala. Thousands of ardent devotees gather at Sabarimala to view the divine Makara Jyothi light up on the other side of the hill. Every year, the evening of Makara Sankranti witnesses the event of Makara Jyothi at the top of the Ponnambalamedu hill. The Makara Jyothi celebration has turned into a controversial issue as recent evidence point that the occurrence of the divine flame is actually manmade.

It is believed that the installation of the deity Lord Ayyapan was done by Parashurama himself on orders of Lord Dharmasastha.

The Sabarimala Temple Complex consists of a Ganapathi shrine, a Homakundam (place to conduct Homams), and a Bhasmakulam (sacred water tank). A small shrine dedicated to Devi Mallikappurathamma is situated at the foot of the hill along with the shrines of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi (God and Goddess of Snakes). The small shrine dedicated to Vavurswami is situated near the sacred 18 steps. Vavur was the Muslim friend and confidante of Lord Ayyapan.

The Sabarimala Temple is one of the largest annual pilgrimages taken by devout pilgrims throughout the country. It is estimated that about 40-50 million devotees visit the shrine during November – January season. The revenue from the temple is estimated at about 230 crores.

What is the history of Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Ayyapan

According to history, the Sabarimala Temple is believed to have been constructed somewhere during the 10th – 11th century. The earlier structure was a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Avalokitesvara. The shrine has consistently grown popular among the population especially among the southern states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka.

The story behind the temple:

A demoness named Mahishi possessed the boon of invulnerability, except by the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. She started torturing public folk and created fear and panic among the residents of the Earth. Seeing the atrocities, the Gods prayed to Shiva and Vishnu to put an end to this. Lord Vishnu took the avatar of the beautiful enchantress Mohini and had a child with Lord Shiva. As per the Brahmanda Purana, this child would possess the combined powers of Durga and annihilate Mahishi. The Skanda Purana mentions that Goddess Durga herself took birth in a masculine form to annihilate Mahishi. Lord Vishnu gifted the child with a precious necklace pendant that hung around the child’s neck. Hence, he is also popular as Manikandan.

The legend associated with the Sabarimala Temple and the Lord’s journey on Earth starts with the decimation of the Pandyan dynasty of Tamilnadu. The remaining descendants left Madurai and settled at various locations throughout Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They established the Pandalam kingdom in Kerala around the tenth century. The King of the Pandalam kingdom, Raja Rajashekhara did not have a child for a long time and together with the queen, worshipped Lord Shiva for a boon. Lord Shiva obliged and ordered Dharmasastha to take an avatar and be born to them as a child. He was handed over a mission to annihilate the buffalo-headed demon Mahishi, the sister of Mahishasura, who was creating havoc in the earth realm.

Sabarimala Temple Shri Dharmasastha

Accordingly, King Raja Rajashekhara found the young baby crying on the banks of the River Pamba. A Sanyasi appeared to him and advised him to give the child home and raise him as his own. He told him that when the child becomes 12, his divine nature will be revealed. The King and the Queen were very pleased and grew the child as their own. The child was named Manikandan and was taught the local martial arts form and all the Shastras. In the meantime, the Queen gave birth to another child named Raja Rajan. However, the King decided to make Manikandan the king.

The Diwan of the Kingdom brainwashed the queen into feigning a sickness so that her child becomes the King instead of Manikandan. The physician gave a false assurance that tigress’s milk was the only cure for the Queen’s sickness. Manikandan decided against his father’s wishes, that he will go into the forest to bring a tigress’s milk. On entering the forest, he decided to annihilate Mahishi first. He entered into a conflict with the demon along the banks of the Azhutha River. Manikandan climbed on her chest and danced violently. Realizing the futility of battling against the avatar of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva combined, the demon prostrated and died.

After killing Mahishi, all the Gods led by Lord Shiva appeared to Manikandan and turned themselves into tigers and tigresses. They accompanied him to the palace. On his return, the Sanyasi appeared and revealed the true identity of Manikandan to the King and the public. King Raja Rajashekhara was overwhelmed with joy and asked Manikandan to stay with him forever. However, Manikandan refused. Then the King requested him to guide him to a place where he could construct a shrine for him as a memory. Manikandan shot an arrow which fell at Sabari, the hill where aeons ago an old woman named Sabari had performed penance and was visited by Lord Rama. Manikandan ordered the shrine to be built there and promised that he will bless his devotees from there. He later disappeared into the forests.

The legend of Makara Vilakku is related to Lord Rama and Lakshman. On their journey towards Lanka, they met a tribal named Sabari at the present day Sabarimala. Sabari offered the Lord, fruits that she was carrying with him. While eating the fruits, Lord Rama observed a divine person doing penance. On enquiring the tribal about the person, he informed that it was Sastha. Lord Rama went to meet Sastha. On seeing the arrival of Lord Rama and Lakshman, Sastha stood up and received him to his abode. The day is celebrated as the Makara Vilakku day.

What is the dress code of Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Dress Code

The Sabarimala Temple follows a very strict dress code for men who wish to seek the blessings of the Lord. One must not wear any upper garment like shirts or vests. One must wear a black, orange, or dark blue dhoti to view the Lord. Ladies between the ages of 10 – 55 are not allowed to visit Sabarimala. Ladies above the age group should wear a saree inside the temple premises.

What are the festivals celebrated at Sabarimala Temple?

Sabarimala Temple Makara Jyothi
  • Makara Vilakku: This is one of the most important festivals celebrated at the shrine. The festival begins on the day of Makara Sankranthi and continues for seven days. It is believed that the idol of Lord Ayyapan was installed in the temple o this particular day. The god is decorated with precious jewellery brought from the Valiya Koyikkal Sastha Temple at Pandalam. A representation of the Lord riding on a tiger is displayed on the platform of the Manimandapam. The idol of Mallikappurathamma is taken around in a procession on an elephant’s back till the holy 18 steps and then returns by circumambulating the shrine.
  • Vishu: The Malayali New Year is celebrated in mid-April and is known as Vishu locally. People wear new clothes and decorate their homes with lights. Offerings are made to God with Payasam, Appam, and milk sweets. The ritual arrangement of items like rice, fruits, betel leaves, arecanut, kanni flowers, mirror, and coins are presented in front of the Lord and pooja is performed for them. After the morning rituals of the day, children burst firecrackers celebrating the birth of the New Year.
  • Onam: The State festival of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Chingam (Aug-Sep). The grand festival is celebrated for 3 days. The day signifies the birth of the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the King Mahabali. It is also considered as a festival of harvest.

How to reach Sabarimala Temple?

  • By Air: The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at a distance of 160 km. Alternatively, one can also land at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport situated at a distance of 170 km. Regular buses are available from these cities till Sabarimala.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is Kottayam at a distance of 90 km. Kottayam is well connected to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Guwahati, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mangalore and New Delhi.
  • By Road: The Kerala State Transport operates buses from major cities and towns in Kerala to Sabarimala. Other nearby towns that can be used as a transfer point to Sabarimala, especially for pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are Thrissur, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.

Vehicles are allowed only until Pamba, 5 km before the main shrine. The new route is comfortable and easy to traverse.

Sabarimala Temple Pamba

However, many devotees still trek through the long and difficult older route through Erumeli. The distance from Erumeli to Sabarimala is roughly 60 km.

Where to stay near Sabarimala Temple?

The Sabarimala Temple Administration operates a pilgrim complex at Nadapanthal and Pandyathavalam. Several guesthouses have been constructed by them to meet the needs of the devotees. The rooms are clean and hygienic and can be booked at nominal rated by visiting their official website.

Where to eat near Sabarimala Temple?

A lot of small hotels have been set up near the base of the Sabarimala hills and at Pamba by the Sabarimala Temple administration. The cuisine provided is pure vegetarian and South Indian.

What are some temples near Sabarimala Temple?

  • Erumeli Ayyapan Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is situated 61 km from Sabarimala. The traditional route to Sabarimala begins at Erumeli where the pilgrims begin their trek to reach the peak of Sabarimala hills known as the Neelimala. The temple’s deity Lord Ayyapan is represented here as an archer. This is also supposed to be the place where Lord Ayyapan killed the buffalo faced demon Mahishi.
  • Pandalam Valiyakoyickal Temple: The temple is closely associated with the Sastha Temple of Sabarimala. The deity worshipped here is the family deity of King Rajashekhara of the Pandalam kingdom. The jewels of Lord Ayyappa are kept at this temple and are taken out in a procession amidst high security. A divine presence of a Garuda can be seen circling around the treasure.
  • Nilakkal Mahadevar Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva lies on the traditional path taken by the devotees to reach Sabarimala. The temple is small and dedicated to Lord Shiva, father of Lord Ayyappa.
  • Chengannur Mahadevar Temple: The famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is located 97 km from Sabarimala. The main Shiva Linga is covered with Gold and represents the image of an Ardhanareeshwara – a Shiva-Shakti form. This Temple legend states that Kannagi, who burnt the city of Madurai down to ashes, came here to perform penance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sabarimala Temple open throughout the year?

No, the Sabarimala Temple is open for all the devotees during certain times in a year. The opening and closing dates vary.
Please refer: Opening dates of the Sabarimala Temple

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Sabarimala Temple is free of cost.

Is there an age restriction in the Sabarimala Temple?

There is no age restriction for men. However, ladies from the ages of 10 to 55 are not allowed inside the temple.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

Yes. There are facilities for specially-abled and senior citizens such as palkis.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Sabarimala starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 38 º C.

What are winters like in Sabarimala?

In Sabarimala, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 15 º C to 25 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

If you have any questions about The Sabarimala Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is situated at Ambalapuzha district in Kerala. The statue resembles the deity of Parthasarthi. Hence it also comes with a whip in the right hand and a Sankha (sacred conch) on the other. Furthermore, this idol depicts the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Lord Krishna of the age of Mahabharata.

The deity is also known by the name of Gopala Krishna. It is made of black granite stone. The especially relevant fact about the temple is that it exhibits Kerala style of architecture. There is also a pond near the temple.

Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple

History and Legend of Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

A visit to the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha is a must when you are in Kerala. It is also a heritage of Kerala.

  • The temple was constructed by Chembakasserry Pooradam Thirunal-Devanarayanan Thampuran. He was the ruler of Ambalapuzha. The temple was built in the 15th – 17th century.
  • As per legends, Lord Krishna once arrived at the court of the ruler of Ambalapuzha. He was in disguise of a sage. Lord Krishna challenged the king in a game of chess. As a winning price the saint asked just for few grains of rice from the king. Lord Krishna demanded amount of rice equal to the chess board. One grain of rice had to be placed on the first square, two in the second square, four in the third square, eight rice grains in the fourth square, sixteen in the fifth square and it would continue till the last square of the board is reached. The king lost the game and as a result he had to give the equal amount of rice to the sage. He started calculating the total quantity of rice and the amount reached millions. It became impossible to provide this gift. Thus the monarch was in a crisis. Finally, Lord Krishna appeared in his true form. He asked the king to serve paal payasam to the worshippers everyday till the debt is paid.Hence the ritual of serving paal payasam started at the temple.
  • There is another myth associated with the introduction of paal payasam as daily offering at the temple. Champakasseri Thampuran (ruler) once borrowed some rice from a brahmin. Thampuran could not repay the rice for a long span of time. The ruler came to visit the temple one day. The Brahmin accosted him. He demanded back the rice. Thampuran asked his minister to repay the debt and left the place. The minister was in a dilemma. As there was not enough paddy in stock to clear the debt. Finally, he managed to collect the required amount from the households. He weighed the paddy in front of the brahmin. The minister asked the brahmin to remove the paddy in one go from the place before the afternoon worship at the temple. As it may disturb the pooja process. He also kept a condition. If the brahmin fails to remove the rice, it will be given to the temple. The rice will be used to feed the poor. This was a conspiracy from the minister’s end. Hence the brahmin could not find even a single porter. Therefore the brahmin was not able to remove the paddy. In the meantime, the shrine closed for its afternoon worship. Hence as per the condition, brahmin donated all the paddy. The paddy was used for making paal payasam. So from this time this golden porridge is distributed among the devotees. The porridge is golden in colour. The paal payasam is popular for the taste.
  • Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar was a renowned architect of Kerala. He spent his youth at Ambalapuzha. There is a mizhavu kept at the temple. The mizhavu was used by the architect. Hence the temple authority has preserved the mizhavu.
  • It is also believed that Thunjathu Ezhuthachan has written his famous work, Adyathtmaka Ramayanam kilipattu at this place.
  • The Champakulam Moolam Snake boat is also associated with the history of this temple.

Significance of the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

The Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha is important to the religious history of South India. The temple is famous for its impeccable architecture.

  • Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple is directly connected to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. The idol of the Guruvayoor temple was kept here during the raid of Tipu Sultan in 1789.
  • The payasam served at the temple is of immense importance to the devotees. It is believed that Guruvayoor himself comes to have the payasam here. There is also a myth that Guruvayoor comes here at the time of Palpayasa Nedyam.
  • Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple is also a treasure of rich Kerala paintings. The interior of the temple is adorned with the pictures of Dasavatharam. Dasavatharam refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
  • Ottan Thullal was first performed at Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple. This dance exhibits social issues of Kerala. Kunchan Nambiar is the creator of Ottan Thullal dance. He is also one of the famous poets of Kerala.

Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple Timings

Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple opens early like the other South India temples. The temple remains open from 3 am to 12 pm. The temple is again open from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple Food Timings

The Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple, Ambalapuzha is famous for its porridge. The porridge is known as payasam. The devotees get paal payasam everyday here. The porridge is popular by the name of Amabalapuzha Pal Payasam. Devotees can also book the prasada. They can also pay for the prasada through money order.

Guidelines for Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

The temple authority also do not allow photography within the temple complex.

Dress Code at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

There is no specific dress code at the temple. But the temple authority suggests decent dressing.

Festivals celebrated at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Festivals are celebration of life at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple. Dances are performed at the festivals. Boat races are also popular here. Hence, every year thousands of pilgrims gather at the temple.

  • Ambalapuzha Temple Festival: Ambalapuzha Temple Festival is another feature. The festival started in the 15th century. The ruler of Travancore, Chembakassery Devanarayana Dynasty started the festival. The rulers decided to bring Lord Krishna idol from the Karinkulam temple. Hence, the festival started from this event. This festival includes shifting the deity from one shrine to another. Chambakulam Moolam water festival is another name for this festival. The celebration takes place every year. The event is on the Moolam day of the Mithuman month. This festival follows Malayalam calendar. The festival is noteworthy for Chundanvallom boat races. Beautiful water floats decorate the water. The visual art forms, Ottan Thullal, Chakiyarkuthu, Krishnanattam and Velakali dance are performed at this festival.
  • Aaraattu Festival: This festival takes place in the Meenam month of Malayalam calendar. This is either March or April. The festival starts with flag hoisting in the Atham star. Also on the Thiruvonam day, Velans perform the Pallipana ritual. Velans are also popular as sorcerers. This festival takes place once in twelve years. Furthermore, cocks are altered at this festivity.
  • Vijayabali: This festival is celebrated every 144 years. Last time Vijayabali was celebrated in 1955.

Poojas and Rituals at Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple, Ambalapuzha follows the traditional pooja style of Kerala.

  • Uccha is another feature of the temple. This is an afternoon pooja ritual. Priests offer Palpayasam to  Lord Krishna at this afternoon pooja.
  • Kalabharam is another ritual performed at the temple. This 30000 old ritual is observed as per the Malayalam calendar. Kalabharam takes place in Edava Masam. This month generally falls between May and June.
  • The Pallipana ritual is also very popular. The Velans perform this ritual. Pallipana ritual takes place every twelve years.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

Ambalapuzha is a small town. It is only at 13 km from Alapupuzha town. The place is easily accessible. Tourists can travel by air, railways and roadways.

By Air: The Kochi International Airport is the nearest airport to Ambalapuzha. It is just at 2 hours 30 minutes from the temple. The Trivandrum airport is the second nearest airport. It is only 2 hours 37 minutes from the place. Tourists can also travel from the Bangalore International Airport. Coimbatore and Calicut airports are also near the temple. There are cabs available at the airport.

By Rail: Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple, Ambalapuzha is almost 2 kilometres from the railway station. There are also other railway stations nearby. Like, one railway station is at 14 kilometres from the shrine.

By Road: Finally, tourists can reach Ambalapuzha via roadways. It lies near NH 47. The temple is at 1.5 km from the town junction. Local vehicles like auto rickshaws will leave you at the doorsteps of the shrine. Pilgrims can travel to the place via buses. Kerala State Road transport has regular bus service.

Hotels in Ambalapuzha: Where to stay

Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple is one of the most famous temples of the Alleppey region. There are multiple hotels that have developed here. These hotels provide a comfortable stay to the visitors. Aquabliss offers airconditioned rooms. Tourists can also book houseboats from this hotel. The hotel is located just at 4.6 km from the temple. The Coir Village Lake Resort is another decent hotel. It is just at 7.8 km from the temple. These mid range hotels provide complimentary breakfast. There is also free parking facility. Tourists cab also use the swimming pool. Hotel Bonanza, Hamlet Heaven, Tamarind KTDC Easy hotel, Green Palace Kerala Resort and Kadavil Lakeshore Resort are the other hotels near the temple.

Where to eat

There are multiple food joints near the temple. The Indian Coffee House serves authentic Kerala coffee and cuisines of the state. The Thaff restaurant offers good food at a budget price. Halais Restaurant, Memories, Cassia, Sisir Palace, Café Paradiso Espresso Coffee Bar and Mushroom are some of the other popular eat outs near the temple.

Nearby Temples

Kerala is also a popular pilgrim centre. Hence there are multiple temples near the Ambalapuzha Srikrishna Temple.

  • Chanvara Bhavan: This is the residence of the Kuriakose Elias Chavara. He is a renowned sage of Kerala. His home is considered as a pilgrimage. Finally, this place was transformed into a temple. Hence, at present thousands of devotees gather here. The beacon of light is another interesting aspect of the shrine. The light is preserved here from past 250 years. You can reach the temple only on boats.
  • Chengannur Mahadeva Temple: This temple is at the same district. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the main deities. The temple is famous for the Thripootha Arattu festival.
  • Bhavaneeswara Temple: The temple is at Munnar. This temple is known for its architecture. The most noteworthy feature is, the temple has a special purpose. The temple is open to people from all caste and creed. This shrine is also known for its beautiful Kerala style of architecture. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity.
  • Vaikom Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. This shrine is one of the oldest temples of the state. The temple is also large. The land spread is massive 8 acres. It is equipped with a courtyard. There are four pillars on four sides of the temple. The temple entrance is made of wood. The sanctum and ceiling are made with stone. A devotee has to pass the six steps to reach the main sanctum. Every step shows the six emotions of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, madha and mathsarya.The Shiva Lingum is located at the main sanctum.
  • Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram Temple, Kerala: Lord Shiva is the main deity here. Also, the Swamyambhu Shiva Lingum established at this shrine has a history.

Hence visit the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple to know the rich history and culture of Kerala. Have fun at the colourful festivals. Most of all, this is considered as one of the five prime Lord Krishna temples of the state.