Chali Narayanapuram temple is located at Thanneermukkom Bund Kavala, around 6 km from Cherthala town, in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Sri Krishna and Shiva.
There are two sreekovils or sanctum sanctorum in the temple. Shiva is worshipped in north side and Sri Krishna in the south side. The darshanam of Chali Narayanapuram temple is towards east.
The murti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is nearly 6 feet tall. The sankalpam of Sri Krishna worshipped in the temple is the roudra bhavam – fierce form. The belief is that Sri Krishna is here getting ready to annihilate Jayadratha.
The Shivling worshipped in the temple is swayambhu – of divine origin. It is said that woman who had come to place to cut grass accidently hit the Shivling and blood started oozing out of it.
There are two flag posts or kodimaram in the temple. The annual festival for Sri Krishna begins with Kodiyettam on Chothi nakshatra in Kumbham month. The festival concludes with arattu on Thiruvonam nakshatra day. The festival for Shiva begins on Vishaka nakshatra in the same month and ends on Vavu day.
As per history, only Shiva was worshipped in the temple and then it was known as Sankaramangalam. Sri Krishna prathishta was done later under the guidance of Padmasaliyar.
The sculptures on the Balikal Pura of Sri Krishna are noteworthy.