Thiruvarppu Sreekrishna Swami Temple

The Thiruvarppu Sreekrishna Temple is unique in many ways. Its antiquity (reckoned as 1,500 years) places it among the most important of Vaishnava temples. But what makes the the temple famous is the unique rituals and practices followed there. An inscription dates the present temple structure to 850 AD, while popular lore places its origins to still earlier centuries. It is no surprise that this temple too, like many temples in the central Travancore area, is connected to the southern sojourn of the Pandavas. Lore has it that the idol of Sreekrishna with four hands is the one worshipped by the Pandavas. The several popular legends about the origin of the temple all point to the fact that the idol was recovered from the lake and that it was kept in a "varppu" (a large, flat bronze vessel -- smaller ones are termed "uruli", while the really big vessels are called "varppu"), and hence the name of the temple. Sage Vilwamangalam, while sailing in a boat discovered the beautiful idol when probably the oar struck it. While deciding on a suitable place to consecrate it, he kept it in a large "varppu" belonging to Kunnamkari Menon, a local noble, who donated the land on which a temple was built.

What makes the temple strangely unique are the rituals followed here. The Lord consecrated here is in the aspect immediately after the killing of Kamsa. The fight with the demon king zapped Him of all his energy and he is in a hungry state-- the reason why the temple opens at 2 am, much earlier than virtually all other temples. Immediately after "abhishekam" (ritual ablution), the Lord's head is dried and then he is offered "Usha Payasam". Only afterwards is he fully dried and clothed and poojas are done. His hunger pangs are so strong that the temple stays open even during eclipses to see that he does not miss out on his early morning "naivedyam"-- a practice that is unique to the Thiruvarppu temple. Another feaure is that this is perhaps the only temple where it is permitted to offer "Pithru Tharpana" (libation offered to dead ancestors).

Built in the timeless Kerala style of architecture, the temple boasts of a square-shaped sanctum (the chief deity faces west) with a two-tier roof adorned with carvings and decorations. Sadly the misguided and over-zealous application of paint over the years has all but obliterated the fine details of the carvings. A notable feature is the pillared and tile-roofed walkway around the sanctum within the Nalambalam -- something that is not seen in other temples. (Of late, the temple admins elsewhere have come up with ugly constructions of steel and tin sheet to serve such a purpose. Perhaps it's time they took a cue from the artistry of the "thachans" of yore.) A unique addition, perhaps prompted by Royal preferences, is a compact "Koothambalam" in the north-west corner, a display of the thachan's artistry. Unfortunately it is in a state of neglect and disrepair. In the north-east corner we have a sub-deity, the Bhoothanatha, to whom is also given all the offerings made to the main deity. A unique practice here is that the Athazha Pooja is around 7 pm, only after which Deeparadhana is offered, with the temple closing immediately after that. An axe is kept near the sanctum to ensure that in case there is a delay in opening the sanctum door, there is the Lord's sanction to break it open with the axe, so that Pooja and Naivedyam could be offered on time . Truly a practice unique to this abode of Sreekrishna!

In the olden days the temple was the hub of a vast complex. Today roads and buildings have cut up the ancient master plan. To the west is "Kochambalam" ( "small temple"), which houses Goddess Devi. On the east, beyond the temple tank, are the small shrines of Ganapathy, Subramonya and Sastha. To the north is the large Siva temple, adjoining which is the abode of the high priests, the Swamiyar Madhom.

Thiruvarppu is distinguished by a grand assemblage of temples, which offers the traveller who is willing to go a little out of the way, a chance for time-travelling into our hoary past.

Excellent ancient temple open at 2:30 am in the early morning

temple not open 24 hours they will be open at morning 2.30am and close 8.30pm. But in google shows all time open in a day when we visit to temple please contact temple management or by phone, email this is my experience

Very old temple. This temple opens very early in the morning by 2.30 am. May be this is the first one to start Pooja in entire India.

Lord Krishna rested here with mata yashode after killing kamsa and asked her for some food as he was very hungry. Lord krishna is always hungry at this place and been fed for atleast 10 times a day. Temple opens at 2:00 am and closes at 12:30 pm and again opens at 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. A must visit place.

This temple is quite unique in its own way considering the daily Poojas.The temple opens at 2 in the morning, making it the first temple to be opened in Kerala.The temple also has an axe equipped to pry open the sreekoovil, in case of any trouble. The Poojas are carried out following strict timings.
Lord Krishna's idol worshipped here is supposed to be kept inside a vessel or "varp" and hence the name.The temple has very powerful divine splendour and energy.
The temple,its history and folklore are not known by many people and is often unrecognised. I think this temple deserves equal recognition on the likes of Aranmula, Ambalappuzha etc.

This is one of the famous temples of Krishna in Kerala which is at least 1500 years old. This temple is located in Thiruvarppu, which is 6-8 km from the town of Kottayam on the shores of Meenachil River. There are several stories about its origin. All of them talk of recovering the idol of Lord Krishna with 4 hands which was kept in an Uruli.
The temple opens very early around 2 AM in the morning. Around 3 AM a special offering called Usha Payasam is offered to this lord. This is prepared using rice, jaggery, ghee, kadali banana fruit and dried coconut. When the rice is cooked well, the melted Jaggery is poured in to it till it stops by itself. This method of preparation is very peculiar to this temple.

peaceful atmosphere. beautiful temple. Kerala style architecture. the idol of Lord Krishna is graceful and pleasant sight to the eye!