About

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is an ancient Hindu temple built by the erstwhile ruler of Chembakasserry Sree Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran during 15th – 17th AD. situated 14 km south of Alappuzha in Kerala, India.  It is believed that the idol of Sree Krishna of Guruvayoor Temple was brought here for safekeeping during the raids of Tipu Sultan in 1789. The temple is also famous for its unique prasadam, the delicious Ambalapuzha Palpayasam – a sweet porridge made of rice, milk, and sugar. Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple is often referred as Dwaraka of South. Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple enshrines Lord Krishna in the form of Parthasarathy – an aspect of Lord Krishna taken during the Mahabharata war. Lord Krishna is popularly known here as Unnikannan (child Krishna). The idol of Krishna here is carved out of black granite stone holding a whip in His right hand and a conch in the left. It is believed that one-day Pooradam Thirunal Thampuran and Saint Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was traveling along the backwaters and heard melodious sound from a flute. Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, an ardent devotee of Krishna, had a vision of Lord Krishna playing flute on a Peepul tree. Feeling the presence of God, Thampuran decided to build a temple at this place.

The temple is associated with the birth of a famous performing art form of Kerala – Ottamthullal. It is believed that legendary Malayalam poet Kalakkaththu Kunchan Nambiar gave birth to this unique art form in the Ambalappuzha Temple premises. The Mizhavu (a big copper drum used as a percussion instrument in performing arts) used by Kunjan Nambiar is still preserved in an enclosure in the temple. Thunjathu Ezhuthachan, who is considered as the father of Malayalam language, is believed to have penned Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu (a translation of the Ramayana and Mahabharatham or Mahabharatha ) in the temple. 

Tips

• Please note cameras are not allowed inside the temple premises.
•  Kindly note this is not a Picnic or tourist spot as advertised in tourist brochures. If you are keen to visit this place, please be decent in your behavior as well as dressing.
• There is no saught of dress code in this temple but still, we suggest While on a visit to the temple which is a place of worship, you are advised to come decently dressed as a mark of respect.

Timings