Evoor Sreekrishna Swami Temple

Kerala, Alappuzha, Thiuvananthapuram

Located in the South of Alappuzha, Evoor Sreekrishna Swami Temple is one of the major Krishna temples in Kerala. The temple is referred as Onattukara's Guruvayoor. It is one of the 26 most important Mahavishnu shrines in Kerala.

Legend

According to the legends, once Agni-deva (Fire God) was suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Agni sought the help of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma advised him to consume the herb-rich Khandava forest. Takshaka the Serpent-king and a close friend of Lord Indra, was residing there at that forest and when Agni tried to consume the forest, Takshaka asked Lord Indra to help him. At that time, Lord Indra with his thundershowers extinguished the fire. Agni sought the help of Sri Krishna and Arjuna when they were visiting this place. Sri Krishna and Arjuna agreed to help Agni. At the same time, Kanva Maharshi arrived there with a request to save his 'Archana Murthy' (a four armed image of Mahavishnu ) and Krishna granted the request and told that the idol will not be harmed by the fire. Soon, Agni started consuming Khandava forest. Indra used thundershowers; however, Arjuna constructed a Sharakoodam (a canopy of arrows) to shelter the agni. Thus Agni's ailment was cured. An immensely grateful Agni sought Krishna's permission to install the Archana Murthy in a new temple to facilitate permanent worship. Arjuna fired an arrow to determine the location. A new temple was soon consecrated where the arrow had landed. (Evoor is the shortened form of 'Eytha ooru', meaning the place from where the arrows were showered to make the 'sharakoodam').
Lord Krishna Himself infused His divine power into the Murthy and Arjuna performed the first pooja after the Prana-Prathishta.

Architecture

Evoor Bhagavan's Deity is the unique "Prayoga Chakra Prathishta". 'Panchajanya Sankha' in rear left hand ; 'Sudarshana Chakra' in rear right hand ; butter in the frontal right hand; left hand is held on the hip as 'mani-bandham'. Lord is supposed to be in a combative mood ready to release His ' Sudarshana Chakra '. He is the 72 year old Sri Krishna at His peak of glory and power.

About 125 years back, this temple was destroyed in a fire. Sri Moolam Thirunal the then king of Travancore ,constructed a huge temple complex. It contained royal facilities such as security trenches atop the roof all around and underground drainage network to discharge the 'abhisheka water' from 'Sreekovil' to the adjacent temple tank.

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 4:45 AM to 8:00 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to dress conservatively.

Famous Festival

Evoor Utsavam Aiyalyam Makam
Shankaranthi Vallam Kali
Tiruonam Ulsavam

Culture

Evoor is a sacred Hindu religious place in the Onattukara area in Alappuzha district. Evoor Sri Krishnaswamy Temple is referred to as Onattukara's Guruvayoor and is one of the important shrines in Kerala.

Temple Rituals

Palliyunathal - 4:45 AM
Nada Thurappu - 4:50 AM
Nirmalyam - 5:00 AM
Usha Pooja - 7:00 AM
Pantheeradi Pooja - 8:00 AM
Kalabha Charthu - 10:30 AM
Ucha Pooja - 11:00 AM
Nadayadappu - 11:30 AM
Nada Thurappu - 5:00 PM
Deeparadhana - 6:30 PM
Athazha Pooja - 7:30 PM
Nadayadappu - 8:00 PM