Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram

Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is situated at Neyyattinkara, 20 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala. The temple is considered as the Guruvayur of Trivandrum city. Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is one of the important temples of Lord Krishna and is also of great historic importance as well. King Marthanda Varma of Travancore built the temple in 1755. Lord Krishna is worshipped in this temple in the form of Unnikannan (Baby Krishna).

Legend

According to the legends about 250 years ago, the Travancore prince Anizhamthirunal Marthanda Varma, who took strong action against "Ettuveettil Pillamar" was surrounded by his enemies. At that time, a boy came there and led the prince to a jack tree, which had a hollow trunk. The prince hid inside it and escaped from the enemies. Later the astrologer said to the king that, the boy who showed him the hideout was actually "Lord Krishna".The maharajah then decided to build a temple for Lord Krishna, near the jack tree as a mark of gratitude for saving his life. The jack tree was popularly called 'Ammachi plavu' (Mother jack tree) as
it protected the maharajah from his enemies. The remnants of the tree is still preserved there.

Architecture

Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is built in Kerala style of architecture. The temple is decorated with beautiful artistic sculptures. The door to the Shri Kovil is painted with gold. A huge Gopura is in front of the Shri Kovil. The walls of the Sanctum are painted with various pictures, depicting the life of Shree Krishna and various other Gods.

Darsan Info

Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is open from 5 AM to 11 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM

Darsan Dresscode

At Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, Kerala traditional attire is preferred. Men are not supposed to wear shirt or t-shirt on upper torso while entering the chuttambalam. Women should wear traditional Indian dress like Saree or churidhar with dupatta.

Famous Festival

March - 10-day annual festival

April - 10-day annual festival

November - Mandala season

December - Mandala season

Culture

Neyyatinkara used to be the main town between Padmanabhapuram, the former capital of erstwhile Travancore dynasty and Thiruvananthapuram. Hence it is closely linked to the history of the land.

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Temple Rituals

The presiding deity at Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is Sreekrishna, in the form of Balakrishna holding butter in both hands. West-facing idol is made of panchaloha.

Special Rituals

Ashtami Rohini, Vishu, Navarathri, Mandalapooja are observed with gret fervour in Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. The main festival of the temple is its Annual Festival, which is during Meenam. It commences with the "Kodiyett", where the main priest of the temple will hoist a Sacred flag atop the gopura, signifying the commencement of the festival. It ends with an "Aaraatt", which falls on a Rohini star day in the Malayalam month of Meenam, when the deity is taken out of the temple, and is dipped in water, in the nearby Graamam in the Neyyar river. In the midst of the festival, jewels of Unnikkannan will be brought from another temple, where they are ceremoniously kept for safekeeping. The main pooja of that evening has much significance, where hundreds throng to get a glimpse of Unnikkannan, adoring all the divine jewels.

During Navarathri, three deities will rest at the temple, on their way to Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum. They are Shri Kumaraswami, from Kumarakoil temple; Shri Munnuutti Nanga; and Shri Sarawathi Devi. They will stay overnight at the Krishna Temple, and leave for Trivandrum next morning. There will be grand arrangements all along the way and at the temple for welcoming the deities.