Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple


Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple in the city of Thrissur in Kerala, India. The main deities of this temple are Lord Krishna in the form of a child, and Goddess Bhadrakali, both having equal importance. There are sub-shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Sastha and Brahmarakshas, and there is a sub-temple for Lord Ganesha behind the temple. The temple is one of the two rival groups participating in the Thrissur Pooram, which is the biggest local festival in Kerala. Bhagavad Gita chanting makes the temple alive. Every day the Devaswom gives free lunch to people.

History

The original seat of the deity was in a village named Edakkalathur, located around 15 km away from Thrissur town towards the north-west. It was also named Thiruvambadi Temple, with the deity installed there as Parthasarathy, meaning the charioteer of Partha. There was another shrine for Lord Shiva too inside the temple, with equal importance. The temple had almost all the features of a Mahakshetra, like golden flag mast. Unfortunately, due to external conflicts, the pious Namboothiris of Edakkalathur were forced to migrate to Thrissur, with the idol of Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy with them. They installed the idol in a Brahmin home named Kachanappally Mana , located 200 m away from the present temple. The pious, but childless Brahmin couple of the Mana insatlled the idol inside their homes, and the idol suddenly turned into the form of child Lord Krishna. After the Mana was extinct, a small temple was built in the form of Shala, and installed the idol of Lord Krishna there. This is how the idol of Lord Krishna came here.
The family head of Kachanapally Mana was a devotee of Goddess Bhadrakali of the famous Kodungallur Temple, located 40 km away from Thrissur towards the south-west. He regularly used to visit the shrine once in a month. Unfortunately, due to old age, he could not travel to Kodungallur.
The dress code is a must with no modern dresses allowed.