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Aluva Sree Krishna Swamy Temple – History – Festival

Aluva Sree Krishna Swamy temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Krishna at Aluva on the banks of the Periyar River in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The annual festival in the temple is held in Malayalam Vrischika Masam (November – December).

The temple was constructed on the orders of Amma Maharani, the mother of Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. Once while staying at Aluva Palace she had a serious stomach ache. She prayed to Bhagavan Sri Krishna for a cure. On that Sri Krishna Bhagavan came in the dream of Amma Maharani and told her about a murti lying buried at Karukutty, 15 km away from Aluva.

Official from the Travancore palace reached Karukutty and found a dilapidated Sri Krishna temple. It was destroyed by the army of Tipu Sultan. Two murtis were recovered from the site – one of Balarama and another of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

As per the wish of Maharani, a temple was constructed in 1938 CE. The murti of Balarama was installed and the murti faces east. The Sri Krishna murti was consecrated only in 1984 CE.

Aluva Sree Krishna Swamy temple is spread over one acre. There are two sree kovils (sanctum sanctorum) in the temple. The murti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna faces west. The murti of Balarama, in standing posture, is made in anjana shila (black granite). He holds a plough in his right hand and pestle in his left hand. The murti of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is in standing posture. He holds a conch in his left hand and whip in his right hand.

The other important structures are kodimaram, nadapandal, thidappally, balalayam and balikal. The main upa devatas in the temple is Ganapathi, Brahmarakshas and Nagas.

The temple performs three important pujas daily. The main offering to Bhagavan Krishna is venna or butter. Aval or beaten rice is the main offering to Balarama.

The annual festival in the temple is famous for traditional Vaishnava pujas and rituals. Caparisoned elephants, melam, traditional temple performing art forms of Kerala, and procession are part of the festivities. The festival concludes with the arattu ceremony.