Dedicated Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna
Swamy Temple is an ancient shrine in Trivandrum District in Kerala. The temple
is around 20 km south of Trivandrum city. Unnikannan or the baby form of Sri
Krishna is worshipped in the temple.
Legend of Ammachi Plavu
One of the Travancore kings, Marthanda Varma, was surrounded
by his enemies. A boy appeared from nowhere and showed Marthanda Varma a spot
to hide. It was inside the hollow trunk of a jackfruit tree. Later Marthanda
Varma realized that the boy was Lord Krishna. The king then decided to build a
temple dedicated to Sri Krishna near the Ammachi Plavu.
The shrine was built in 1755. The Ammachi Plavu is now
preserved inside the shrine.
The main murti worshipped in the form of baby Sri Krishna
holding butter in both hands. The murti faces west and is made of Panchaloha.
The subsidiary deities worshipped in the shrine are Ganesha,
Sastha and Nagaraja.
Neyyattinkara Sreekrishna Swamy Temple is a classic example
of Kerala style temple architecture. The main gateway has the popular scene of Bhagavad
Gita.
The temple festival is observed in Malayalam Meenam month (March
– April). Important festivals observed in the shrine are Vishu, Gokulashtami,
Navratri and Mandala puja.