Thiruvarppu Sri Krishna Temple
This Krishna Temple is 1500 years ancient. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna in this temple is hungry anytime. For that reason, unlike other temples, this temple was open for all 365 days of the year. This Krishna has four hands, the right hand is with food, the backhands are with conch (shankh) and discus (chakra). It is said that after killing Kamsa, Krishna got hungry and angry. Only two temples in Kerala displays Sree Krishna in this Swaroopa, Thiruvarpu Sri Krishna Temple in the Kottayam district & Trichambaram Temple in the Kannur district.
There are several legends associated with the origin of the temple. However all point to the fact that the idol was recovered from the lake and that it was kept in a "varppu" (a large, flat bronze vessel), and hence the name of the temple. Sage Vilwamangalam, while sailing in a boat discovered the idol when the oar struck it. While deciding on a suitable place to consecrate it, he kept it in a large "varppu" belonging to Kunnamkari Menon, a local noble, who donated the land on which a temple was built.
What makes the temple strangely unique are the rituals followed here. The Lord consecrated here is in the aspect immediately after the killing of Kamsa. The fight with the demon king zapped Him of all his energy and he is in a hungry state, the reason why the temple opens at 2 AM, much earlier than virtually all other temples. Immediately after "abhishekam" (ritual ablution), the Lord's head is dried and then he is offered "Usha Payasam". Only afterwards is he fully dried and clothed and poojas are done. His hunger pangs are so strong that the temple stays open even during eclipses to see that he does not miss out on his early morning "naivedyam"-- a practice that is unique to the Thiruvarppu temple. Another unique practice here is that the Athazha Pooja is around 7 pm, only after which Deeparadhana is offered, with the temple closing immediately after that. An axe is kept near the sanctum to ensure that in case there is a delay in opening the sanctum door, there is the Lord's sanction to break it open with the axe, so that Pooja and Naivedyam could be offered on time.
Location
Thiruvarppu
Main Deity
Lord Sree Krishna
Other Deities
Lord Shiva, Bhagavathi, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramaniya, and Yakshi
Festivals
Krishna Jayanti
Main Offerings
Usha Payasam, Niramala, Muzhukappu, Kadum Payasam, Vella Nivedhyam.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is 87 KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Kottayam Railway Station is 8.3 KM from the Temple.
By Road: Kottayam KSRTC Bus Stand is 7.4 KM from the Temple.