Good but the Kerala version says that it is from the lake picked up by
Vilwamangalam and there are 2 temples with 4 hands Krishna in Kerala; that
means Mahabharatha cult is a myth as 2 are there. Unlike any temple and
earlier than TTD god wakes up at 2 AM as his hunger is described as so hard
to feel about. That version of Kerala is also added here.

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.

K RAJARAM* IRS 11125*
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2025 at 13:05
Subject: [iyer123] THIRUVARPPU KRISHNA TEMPLE-NEAR KOTTAYAM,KERALA
To: Iyer <[email protected]>


THIRUVARPPU KRISHNA TEMPLE-NEAR KOTTAYAM,KERALA

Dear Frineds,

Today my posting is about the famous  Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple   near
Kottayam. My late periamma was native of Onamthuruthi near Tiruvarpu. Hope
a divine reading.

Gopalakrishnan  11-1-2025

Introduction

The Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple is located on the coastal line of the
Meenachil River in the Thiruvarppu village, and hence the name given to the
temple. Varpu refers to the cast which is used by smiths to make bell metal
vessels. This is an ancient temple known to be 1500 years old.The
Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is one of the renowned
Vaishnava temples in Kerala. An inscription on the temple indicates that
the temple was constructed in 850 AD.The architectural style of the shrine
resembles the typical architecture of the temples found in Kerala.

The Flat Vessel

One of the most popular beliefs about the temple coming into existence is
the recovery of the idol of Lord Krishna having four hands, which was
placed in an Uruli, a flat vessel made out of bell metal.



Legend

This story revolves around the Mahabharata. It is said that when Pandavas
had to live for 14 years in the forest, Lord Krishna gave them his idol for
worship. When the Pandavas had completed their Vanvasa, the residents asked
for the idol which was worshipped by them. After sometime, as circumstances
could not permit them to worship the idol, they dropped the idol in the sea.

After a long time, when a holy saint was crossing the river, his boat stuck
at one point and the sea dried at that place, and the idol of Lord Krishna
was discovered. He took custody of the idol and traveled towards the
present location of the temple. The sage landed at the shore and found one
temple without any idol and established the idol there which is now known
as the Thiruvarppu Temple.

Another story says that the Pandavas after completing their Vanvasa, had
submitted the idol of Lord Krishna and their Akshaya Patra to the seawater.
Sometime later, some fishermen discovered the idol without the vessel and
established it in a temple. Soon, natural calamities attacked the place and
the idol was washed away by the water, this time it fell into the vessel.
The sage, referred above, while crossing the sea, discovered the idol. On
reaching the shore, the vessel with the idol inside was temporarily placed
in Valiya Madam.

On that day, they had only mango pickles and coconut water to offer to the
Lord. Later, the idol was shifted at the present place. During Arattu, the
idol is taken to the Valiya Madam and the practice of offering mango
pickles and coconut water is still carried out.

 About Thiruvarppu Temple

Also known as the Thiruvarppu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, the idol of Lord
Krishna established here has four hands, and the idol faces the west. *The
idol is correlated with Krishna after killing the Kamsa, very exhausted and
hungry.* The Thiruvarppu temple is especially thronged by devotees on
Sundays and Thursdays.

Bell metal drum

The Thiruvarppu temple also has a drum which is made out of bell metal. It
is believed that Lord Krishna announced to kill the Kamsa on this drum. The
temple also has a brass lamp which is made of 12 tiers; it was gifted by a
Christian devotee.

Rituals and festivals

The Thiruvarppu Temple follows the tradition of other Hindu temples of
Kerala and has its own unique set of rituals and festivals.

Unlike the other temples, the Thiruvarppu Temple is opened in the pre-dawn
hours at 2 am and is closed at 1 pm.; is re-opened for devotees from 5 pm
till 7.30 pm.

The priest of the temple possesses an axe along with the keys to the
temple. The locales believe that God cannot tolerate hunger, so *if there
is any delay in opening the lock of the temple, the priest has the
authority to break open the door with the axe.*

offerings

There are five offerings made at the Thiruvarppu Temple.

Usha Payasam (first pooja) at 3 am-The sweet porridge offered at Usha
Payasam has its own unique method of preparation. The main ingredients
include rice, jaggery, ghee, banana, and dried coconut. Once the rice is
cooked, the melted jaggery is poured into the rice until the pouring stops
by itself. This indicates the amount required by the Lord.

Ethrth pooja

Pantheeradi Pooja

Ucha Pooja

Athazha pooja (last pooja) at 7 pm

The Thiruvarppu Temple is peculiar in its rituals from other Hindu temples
in the southern part of India. Unlike other Hindu temples in the
south, Deeparadhana,
worship with lamps, is done after the Athazha pooja.

Also, when all the other temples are closed during the eclipse time, the
Thiruvarppu temple remains open.

Pithru Tharpana

A ritual to satisfy the dead ancestors, is usually not performed in other
temples. But in this temple, the ritual is performed under the name of Pullattu
Pooja, which has its own story.

This pooja is named after a gentleman from the Pullattu house. He did not
have any children and thus decided to donate all his property to the
Thiruvarppu temple, with a request to observe his death anniversary. On
consent of the God, the gentleman entered the temple and surrendered all
his assets to the Lord, sought his blessings from the Lord and died
immediately. His death anniversary is observed as the Pullattu pooja.

Three poojas are performed: one day before his death and fifteen special
poojas on his death anniversary are performed till date.

Festivals at Thiruvarppu KrishnaTemple

The annual festival of the Thiruvarppu Temple is held in the initial ten
days of the Medam, according to the Malyalam calendar, which is during the
period of April-May. On the tenth day of the festival, an elephant race is
held similar to the Guruvayur.

Pathaam Udayam – At the sunset on the tenth day, when the rays of the sun
enter the shrine, is marked as the end of the festival.

Girl's lamp procession

During the ten-day festival, all the girl children who are below 10 years
of age dress up as Lord Krishna and offer lamp to the Lord both during
morning and in the evening. This ritual is known as Vilakkeduppu by the
local crowd.

Other important festivals celebrated in the Thiruvarppu Temple are
Thiruvonam and Ashtami Rohini.

Temples surrounding Lord Krishna

The Thiruvarppu Temple of Lord Krishna is surrounded by temples on all the
four sides by other temples.

Kochambalam, the Devi temple, is situated on the east of Lord Krishna.

The Shiva temple known as Shivan Kovil is situated on the north of Lord
Krishna. The idol of Narasimha swamy is established near the Shivan Kovil.

Ganapathy, Subrahmania, and Sastha temples stand on the west side of Lord
Krishna.

Yaksha Gandharva temple stands in the south of Lord Krishna.

How to Reach Thiruvarppu KrishnaTemple

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station which is approximately 7
km distance.

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport which is about 90 km distant.

Accommodation

The Thiruvarppu village is in the developmental stage and hence no proper
accommodation is available there. One can stay at various hotels found in
the city of Kottayam.

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