Govindapuram Sree Krishna Temple

Vechoor, Dist. Kottayam.

Govindapuram Sree Krishna Swami Temple is an ancient place of worship located in Vechoor near Vaikom in Kottayam district. Set in a peaceful and beautiful natural surroundings, the temple is an important centre of faith and worship for devotees. Lord Krishna is the main deity.

Although no detailed historical records about the founding of Govindapuram Temple are publicly available, it is known as an ancient village temple. The Vechoor area was under the rule of the Vadakkumkoor royal family before 1742 and became part of Travancore in 1742, during the reign of Maharaja Marthanda Varma. During this period, temples of this kind were traditionally maintained under the care of local Nair families and Ooralanmar (temple trustees). With the formation of the Travancore–Cochin Devaswom Boards in 1949, the administration of such temples formally came under the Devaswom system. Govindapuram Temple is currently under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The name ‘Govindapuram’ is believed to have come from ‘Govindan’, another name of Lord Krishna, meaning a place associated with the presence of Govindan.

Vechoor is known as the birthplace of the world-famous Vechoor cattle. In earlier times, cattle rearing was widely practised in this area. ‘Govindan’ is a name of Lord Krishna in his form as the protector and herder of cattle. A popular local legend says that the name ‘Govindapuram’ came from the installation of Lord Krishna as the protector of cattle in this region, where cattle were once found in abundance. The idol is believed to represent Unnikrishna, the child form of Lord Krishna. Devotees believe that the deity is worshipped in the form of the young Krishna who herded cattle and played with butter in Ambadi and that prayers here can bring the blessing of children to couples without children. Vechoor lies close to Vembanad Lake, and Govindapuram is regarded as an ancient Vaishnava centre that once served as a guide and place of protection for boats and canoes travelling through the backwaters. It is also traditionally believed that Govindapurathappan protects this lakeside region from natural disasters and floods.

The temple is approached through a simple gateway with large concrete pillars along the Vechoor–Vaikom Road. A large entrance pavilion and a beautiful Gopuram welcome devotees to the temple premises. Beyond the entrance is a spacious Anakkottil (elephant pavilion) with a traditional tiled roof, used for important temple rituals and prayers. At its centre stands the sacred Garudadhwaja, featuring the figure of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Krishna, which is visible from the road. The temple premises also have traditional tiled pathways, a compound wall and a large sacred banyan tree with a raised platform, known as an Aalthara, where devotees can sit, pray and rest. Inside the main entrance, a beautiful flagstaff and a large bronze lamp can be seen. A large Nalambalam surrounds the Sreekovil, with a structure similar to a traditional Nalukettu. Its outer walls feature rows of wooden Vilakkumadams (lamp stands), which are lit during festivals and in the evenings, adding to the beauty of the temple.

The Sreekovil is built in the ‘Nirandhara’ style of Kerala temple architecture. It is a simple, single-storey square structure without inner passageways around the shrine. The strong Krishna Shila (granite) base gives the Sreekovil both strength and beauty. The sloping roof is covered with traditional clay tiles and topped by a shining bronze finial (Sthoopika). In front of the main deity is a simple Sopana with granite steps. The main deity is Sree Krishna in the four-armed form of Maha Vishnu, holding a conch, discus, mace and lotus in his four hands. The deity has the calm and gentle appearance of Vishnu, along with the form of Unnikrishna, blessing the devotees. The idol is carved from high-quality Krishna Shila. As the temple is set in village surroundings, devotees also worship the Lord in the form of Gopalakrishna, associated with farming and the protection of cattle.

The shrine of Lord Shiva is located outside the main Sreekovil, in the area adjoining the Nalambalam. Behind the main Sreekovil, towards the south-west, there is a separate roofless platform made of granite, where the Rakshassu shrine is located at the Kannimoola. The shrine of Lord Ganapathy is situated at the Kannimoola within the Nalambalam. As devotees walk around the main shrine and exit the Nalambalam, a small separate shrine dedicated to Sastha can be seen towards the south-west. The shrine of Bhagavathi is located at the north-west corner of the Sreekovil. Outside the main compound wall of the temple, the Nagathara is situated at the south-west corner.

The main annual festival, known as the Aarattu festival, is held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January–February) and is usually celebrated for five days. Beginning with the Kodiyettu and ending with the Aarattu, the festival includes special poojas, Sree Bhoothabali, Pallivetta and Aarattu Ezhunnallippu. Traditional art forms and cultural programmes are also organised for devotees under the leadership of the Karayogam. Ashtami Rohini (Sree Krishna Jayanthi), observed on the Ashtami day of the Krishna Paksha in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September), is celebrated on a grand scale as the birthday of Unnikrishna. Special Unniyootu, Butter Offering and a grand Shobhayatra are held on the day, attracting large numbers of devotees. Vishu Mahotsavam is observed on the first day of Medam (around mid-April), with the early morning Vishukkani Darshan being a major attraction, when devotees from Vechoor and nearby areas arrive to have darshan of Lord Krishna and receive Vishukkaineettam. During the 41-day Mandala season, from the first day of Vrischikam to Dhanu 11 (November–January), special poojas are held daily, along with the lighting of Chuttuvilakku in the evenings, creating a beautiful atmosphere around the temple. Thiruvonam star days in every Malayalam month, Ekadashi days and Thursdays are also considered important, with devotees making special offerings and performing vazhipadus to the Lord on these days.

One of the most important offerings at the temple is Thrikkaivennа (Butter Offering), which is considered especially dear to Unnikrishna. Devotees offer butter to seek greater intelligence, good health for children and relief from obstacles. Palpayasam is another important offering, regarded as a special offering in Sree Krishna temples and devotees offer it here for the fulfilment of their wishes. Santhana Gopala Pooja is an important ritual for couples without children, who pray for the blessing of children through the grace of Unnikrishna. Purusha Sukta Pushpanjali is performed for the fulfilment of wishes and general prosperity. Among the offerings to the sub-deities, Ganapathy is offered Ganapathy Homam and Appam Nivedyam for the removal of obstacles, while Dhara, Pinvilakku and Koovalamala are offered to Lord Shiva for good health and long life. For Rakshassu, devotees perform evening Vilakkuveppu and offer Palpayasam for the removal of obstacles and the prosperity of the home and family. Devotees believe that offering Thrikkaivennа and Palpayasam to the Lord and praying with devotion is especially beneficial.

The temple is open from 05:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the morning and from 05:30 PM to 07:30 PM in the evening. The daily worship mainly includes Nirmalya Darshan and Abhishekam at 05:30 AM, followed by Usha Pooja after sunrise, when Malar and butter are offered to the Lord. Ucha Pooja is performed from 09:30 AM to 10:00 AM, shortly before the temple closes for the morning, with Palpayasam and other offerings made to the deity. The temple reopens at 05:30 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at around 06:30 PM, when camphor and ghee lamps are lit before the deity. Athazha Pooja, the final worship of the day, is performed from around 07:15 PM to 07:30 PM, after which the temple closes. The timings may vary on special days, during festivals and on days when Ucha Pooja is conducted.

Key highlight :-

• Located 7 km from Kumarakom, 14 km from Vaikom and 13 km from Cherthala.
• The nearest railway station is Cherthala, about 13 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple from Vaikom and Cherthala.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.