வாயுள் வையகம் கண்ட மடநல்லார்* ஆயர் புத்திரனல்லன் அருந்தெய்வம்*;
பாய சீருடைப் பண்புடைப் பாலகன்* மாயனென்று மகிழ்ந்தனர் மாதரே.
The
greatest of Ithihasa Puranas are Sri Ramayan and Mahabaratham. The latter revolves around Bhagwan Sri
Krishna who gave us ‘Srimad Bhagwat Geetha’ at the battlefield of
Gurukshetra. The birth of Lord Sri
Krishna at Mathura to Vasudeva and Devaki is celebrated with gaiety
everywhere. While some celebrate the
coming of Lord Krishna to this Universe on Ashtami day as ‘Gokulashtami’ – in
South India, it is more with the star of ‘Rohini’ and the birth day is being
celebrated as : Krishna Jayanthi, Janmashtami, Gokulaashtami, Sri Jayanthi and
more
Srijayanthi Kannan purappadu at Thiruvallikkeni
Lord
Krishna was born with parents
incarcerated and was moved under heavy showers crossing Yamuna river in spates,
being protected by Adi Sesha – to grow up in Gokul with cowherds. Those there had the fortune of watching
Krishna grow up – every now and then revealing glimpses of His identity. As can be understood from the words of Periyalwar – ‘ the grand ladies of Gokulam,
chased the child with Yasodha chiding Him for eating the earthen sand; when He
opened the mouth, they realised and exclaimed with glee ‘ He is no ordinary
cowherd child; but the blessed Lord Himself – fully imbued with all auspicious
qualities”.
God’s own
country has got some great Temples of Lord Krishna – Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha,
Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple and more .. .. Ambadi is a place where Lord Krishna spent his
childhood and that way it could well be the land and forests of Govardhan,
Gokul, Vrindavan, the Braj bhoomi.
Back in Kerala, in
April occurs the famous Thrissur pooram at Vadakkunathan temple grounds. The Thrissur Pooram is being held since 1798
at Thekkinkkadu ground in front of the famous Vadakkunnathan Siva temple. Two
groups, consisting of five temples each, take part in the Pooram in a
competitive mode. One group is led by Thriuvambadi Srikrishna Temple and the
second one is led by Paramekkavu Bhagavati Temple. The 10 temples send their
pooram (complete procession) accompanied by elephants carrying deities.
Exchange of ornamental umbrellas atop the elephants standing face to face is
one of the spectacular events of the festival. For this grand festival, about
100 captive elephants owned by individuals and religious institutions are
paraded.
Thiruvambadi Sri
Krishna Temple is another famous temple in the city of Thrissur in Kerala. At this temple, the managing Devaswom offers
free lunch to hundreds of people everyday. Devotees entering have to follow dresscode as
applicable in Guruvayur also. The straight
road opposite the temple leads to Poonkunnam Railway station and further up to
Poonkunnam junction. The name of the
parallel road in front is Shoranur road, leading to Vadakunnathan temple on one
side and Paturaikkal and then to Shornur on the other. Lord Krishna is
worshipped along with Devi Vishnumaya at this temple. Though the original
temple was constructed in 16th century, the current structure was ordered by
Raja Rama Varma (also known as Sakthan Thampuran), the ruler of Kochi in 18th
century.
Lord Krishna is
child Krishna here. Even though small in stature in its physical
appearance, Thiruvambadi Krishna Temple is highly significant as a Mahakshethra
due to its extensive rites of worship. The
main deity at Thiruvambady is Unnikrishna (Lord Krishna in infant form).
Goddess Bhagavathy is consecrated in a shrine just on the left of Lord Krishna
and worshipped with equal ardour. Lord Ganesha, Dharmasastha are also worshipped in separate shrines outside the
Nalambalam.
The most colorful
festival of the Thiruvambadi temple, starts off with a ceremonial procession
called Madathil Varavu to the Vadakkumnathan temple. Caparisoned elephants,
giant umbrellas, drum performers and Panchavadyam add color and pomp to the
procession. Paramekkavu & Thiruvambadi temples compete with each other
exhibiting their best art forms, traditional orchestra & fireworks which is
a gorgeous feast of color & sound!
The idol of
Krishna, now worshipped here, is believed to have been originally the Sri Parthasarathy idol in a temple at
Edakkalathur, a sleepy hamlet, about 15km from Thrissur. The temple had the
same name – Thiruvambady – and there were many shrines too. Some four centuries
ago, when life and property in the village were threatened by communal
conflagration, some villagers under the cover of darkness, surreptitiously
carried the idol to Thrissur and entrusted the same to a pious Namboodiri
couple at Kachanappilly Illam, 200mtrs from the present Thiruvambady temple. The
most benevolent Lord who appears before a devotee in the form he wants, opted
to cast aside Partha Sarathy’s whip and to pick up the flute in one hand and
extended the other to receive the butter of devotion from the ‘foster parents’.
A small temple in the form of a ‘sala’ was erected 200mtrs, South of
Kachanappally Illam and ‘Unnikrishna’ was enshrined.
Aside, Thiruvambadi
Sivasundar, fondly called by his fans as King of Beauty (Azhakinthe Thampuran),
(1972-2018) was the cynosure of eyes till recently at the temple. He was first
named Pookkodan Sivan and worked at a
timber factory. In 2003, he was purchased by businessman Sundar Menon for Rs. 28 lakh and offered
to the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple. From then on, the majestic elephant carried the
thidambu and was in the forefront on behalf of the temple during Thrissur's
annual Pooram festival.
~adiyen
Srinivasadhasan
S. Sampathkumar
16.5.2020.
* elephant pics from the FB page of Thiruvambadi Sivasankaran
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