Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Overview

Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is a popular Hindu shrine situated at Neyyattinkara, on the Thiruvananthapuram – Kanyakumari route, about 20kms south of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The presiding deity of this historic temple at Neyyanttinkara is Lord Sri Unni Kannan (Infant Krishna). Thrikayilvenna or Thrikayil Venna (butter) is the unique offering to Lord Unnikannan here.

The temple is spread over a huge area surrounded by lush greenery everywhere. This shrine is also popularly referred as the “Guruvayur of Trivandrum district”.

About The Temple

The temple is built in traditional Kerala styled temple architecture and has well crafted sculptures all over. The Rajagopuram (main gateway) of the temple depicts scene from Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna is seen giving the Geetha Upadesham to (teaching) Arjuna. Other deities in this temple include Lord Ganesh and Lord Nagaraja.

The sanctum sanctorum of this shrine is typically Kerala styled with a gold painted door. A Gopura is found in front of the Shri Kovil. The shrines of Lord Ganesha, and Dharmashashtha are located within the main complex while that of Nagaraja is seen outside the complex. A nadappanthal (walkway) around the main shrine is presently under construction now. This walkway was planned by the advisory committee to enable the devotees to go around the main shrine even during extreme conditions. The devotees of Sri UnniKannan also contributed generously towards this noble cause.

Several images of Lord Shree Krishna and other deities are artistically painted around the walls of the main shrine. The temple also houses an elephant named "Neyyattinkara Kannan".

About The Deity

The chief deity of this temple is Lord Sreekrishna, who graces here in the form of Balakrishna who appears holding butter in both his hands. The vigraha of the deity is made up of Panchaloha (A combination of 5 metals). According to Legend, the idol of Lord Krishna was initially made of wood. While carrying the idol in a boat across the Neyyar river, the boat got stuck and unexpectedly and failed to move. This event made the devotees feel that the deity was satisfied with the wooden vigraha and thus made another idol of Panchaloha, which is strong enough to last for several centuries.

Legend and Stories

Neyyattinkara Shri Krishnaswamy Temple by the ruler of Travancore King Marthanda Varma in 1755. Sometime about 250 years ago, during the reign of King Ramavarma, the Travancore prince Anizhamthirunal Marthanda Varma, who took strong action against “Ettuveettil Pillamar” was surrounded by his enemies. At that very moment, a boy appeared for somewhere and had led the prince to a jack tree with a hollow trunk. The Prince had safely hidden inside the tree, thereby escaping from his enemies. An astrologer later revealed to the king that the boy who showed him the hideout was in fact Lord Krishna himself. The astonished Maharajah thus decided to build a temple for Lord Krishna to show his gratitude towards the Lord for saving his life. The jack tree mentioned here is popularly referred as 'Ammachi plavu' (Mother Jack tree) since it protected the Maharaja. The remnants of this tree are still preserved at this place.

Festivals

Vishu, Ashtami Rohini (Sree Krishna Jayanti), Navaratri, Onam, and Mandala Pooja are some of the major festivals celebrated at the Krishnaswamy Temple at Neyyattinkara. The 10 days annual temple festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March – April).

How To Reach Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

Airport

The nearest located airport is Trivandrum International Airport which is around 24 km from the temple.

Railways

The Neyyattinkara Railway Station found on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kanyakumari railway line is hardly a kilometer from the temple.

Road

Sree Krishna Swamy Temple lies at the very center of Neyyattinkara town, in close proximity to the Neyyattinkara Bus Station. A number of KSRTC buses are operated regular from Trivandrum Central Bus Station to Neyyattinkara.

Temple Address

Sri Krishna Swamy Temple,
Neyyattinkara,
Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala, Pincode - 695121.