Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Swamy Temple History and Myth

Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Swamy Temple is a famous temple located in Ambalapuzha in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Swamy Temple is one of the few temples where history and myths are intertwined.

The temple houses a Parthasarathy statue of Lord Krishna in the form of Parabrahma with a whip in his right hand and a panchajanya in his left hand. The temple also houses the deities Shiva, Ganapati, Ayyappan and Bhadrakali. The festival is celebrated in the month of Meena at the temple under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The famous Ambalapuzha Palpayasa and Ambalapuzha Velakali are associated with the myth of this temple.

Myth about Temple

According to a myth, the temple was built by Viluamangalam Swamy. One day the king of Chembakassery was traveling in a boat with a swamiyar. At that moment, the king looked around and heard a beautiful flute. But there was no one in that area. Swamiyar informed the king that he had heard the flute song of Lord Krishna and that a temple should be built there. myth has it that this is how the temple was built there.

Another myth is about Naranathubhranthan 

The tantrics (pudumana and kadikakolu) were worried about not getting the octave tied during the dedication. It is believed that he then put the fish in his hand outside the shrine as he pleaded with Naranathu Bhranthan who came that way, and fixed the idol by spitting (tambulam) to tighten his mouth. It is said that Tambulapuzha was later renamed as Ambalapuzha due to the flow of tamboolam and the idol.

Ambalapuzha Pal Payasam

Ambalapuzha Pal Payasam is the main Nedhyam in the Ambalapuzha temple. It was the King of Chembakassery who started offering Ambalapuzha Pal payasam  as nedhyam which was famous for its taste. The only ingredient in the stew is rice, milk and sugar. When milk, water and rice are boiled, the custom is to bring sugar to add to the stew from the Devaswom office when the cook calls it Govinda. It is also known as Gopala kashayam as it is a stew made with a lot of water as in kashayam.