Gosala Krishna is the main upa devata or subsidiary deity worshipped in the famous Thiruvanvandoor Temple in Chengannur, Kerala. Thiruvanvandoor Gajamela 2024 date is May 19. The temple is one among the 108 Divya Desams or 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu Bhagavan. The story of Gosala Krishna is interesting and is filled with miracles. The 51-day annual festival in connection with the murti installation at Sree Gosalakrishna Temple at Thiruvanvandoor concludes with ceremonial procession and the famous Gajamela. It is usually held on May 19.
Gosala Krishna is the baby form of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and the murti is in the form of standing on two folded legs and one hand and showing the left hand containing curd rice. He is seen holding the rice with two of his fingers.
In 1325 CE, the king of Ambalapuzha send his emissaries to bring the murti of Gosala Krishna to the temple at Ambalapuzha as there was some defect in the murti there.
Jnazhapalli Namboothiri who was priest of Thiruvanvandoor was not happy with the decision of the king and therefore hid the murti in the river flowing on the east of the temple. The murti and the Namboothiri disappeared thereafter.
In 1960, one Damodaran who was an art teacher in the local school saw a dream, in which he was told that the murti was now lying in the temple pond of Thiruvanvandoor. He was instructed to recover the murti and consecrate it.
Damodaran with the cooperation of local people dug the pond for 47 days but still could not find the murti. They decided to give up the digging. But on the next day they found the murti of Gosala Krishna. It was again consecrated in a very grand manner.
In memory of this the local people started a festival lasting for 51 days. On the fifty first day, a huge procession starts from Thiruchithat temple and reaches Thiruvanvandoor. A feast in which about 1000 kg of rice is cooked greets the devotees on the day.
Thiruvanvandoor Gajamela
On the gajamela day, a ceremonial procession with caparisoned elephants, floats depicting stories from Hindu Puranas and epics, Mayuranrithom, Krishnanattam, Karakom, Nadaswaram, Panchavadyam, Pancharimelom and other temple art forms are held in the afternoon. The procession begins from Thrichittattu Maha Vishnu Temple at Chengannur to the Gosalakrishna temple.
The procession is witnessed by thousands of people.
Gajamela, parading of more than 21 caparisoned elephants, is held at the Government High School grounds in Thiruvanvandoor marking the culmination of the 51-day annual festival. This is held in evening.
Traditional Kudamattam performance is a major attraction at the Gajamela. Panchari Melam or panchavadyam is part of the festival.
Kathakali and other temple art forms are performed on the occasion.