Kanthalloor Sree Krishna Temple

Vellinezhi, Dist. Palakkad.

The historic Kanthalloor Sree Krishna Temple is located at Vellinezhi in Palakkad district, a village widely known as the cradle of traditional arts and Kathakali in Kerala. Set amidst beautiful natural surroundings, the temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. The main deity is Lord Sree Krishna in the form of Ambadikannan, the young cowherd Krishna. As Vellinezhi is well known for its rich artistic and cultural heritage, the temple holds an important place in the cultural life of the village. The temple courtyard serves as a venue for various cultural programmes. The annual temple festival attracts large numbers of devotees and visitors, including many from distant places.

According to historical references, the Kanthalloor Sree Krishna Temple is believed to have been built during the golden period of the Valluvanad kingdom in the medieval era, around 300 to 500 years ago. Traditional belief holds that the temple was established under the leadership of local chieftains during a period when the Zamorin and the Valluvakonathiri were engaged in conflicts for control of the region, with the aim of ensuring the safety of the area and supporting the spiritual well-being of the people. In later years, the Olappamanna Mana, one of the prominent Namboothiri houses at Vellinezhi, along with leading local Nair families, played an important role in the temple’s maintenance and development. As Vellinezhi is also home to the renowned Olappamanna Mana, a major centre of Kathakali, the temple courtyard became an important venue where many celebrated Kathakali and traditional percussion artists made their debut performances and presented their art.

Several legends are associated with the Kanthalloor Sree Krishna Temple. According to one legend, this area was once covered with forests and grasslands where cowherds used to graze their cattle. They are believed to have experienced the divine presence of the Lord in the forest, following which the deity was consecrated in the form of Ambadikannan, representing young Krishna as the cowherd of Ambadi. Another legend says that Valluvakonathiri, the ruler of Valluvanad, had a vision of Lord Sree Krishna in a dream and that the temple was built at the place indicated by the Lord. There is also a long-standing belief in Vellinezhi, a village renowned for its artistic heritage, that Kathakali performers and traditional percussion artists should offer their first performance before Kanthalloorappan and seek the Lord’s blessings. It is believed that doing so brings fulfilment to their artistic journey and that performances held in the temple courtyard receive the Lord’s divine grace.

The temple is entered through a simple yet elegant gateway built in the traditional Valluvanad style. Just inside the entrance stands a small elephant shelter. The temple is enclosed by a laterite stone boundary wall with a traditional tiled roof, reflecting the distinctive Kerala style of architecture. Beyond the entrance lies the Nalambalam, which surrounds the Sreekovil. The Nalambalam is supported by natural wooden pillars decorated with traditional woodwork, adding to the beauty and architectural charm of the temple.

Inside the Nalambalam is a spacious circumambulatory path paved with black stone, surrounding the Sreekovil. Directly in front of the Sreekovil stands a square-shaped Namaskara Mandapam, with beautifully carved wooden pillars and an ornately crafted roof. The Sreekovil is a single-storey, square structure built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. Its foundation and walls are constructed using laterite stone, granite and clay, following the traditional Valluvanad style. The sloping roof is fully covered with copper plates and is crowned with a gilded bronze Thazhikakkudam (temple finial). Simple carvings can also be seen on both sides of the granite Sopanam leading to the sanctum. The main deity is a black stone idol of Maha Vishnu in a standing four-armed form, though devotees worship the deity as Ambadikannan, the child form of Lord Sree Krishna. In addition to the main deity, shrines for Lord Ganesha, facing east, are located at the south-west corner (Kannimoola) inside the Nalambalam, while Lord Ayyappa is consecrated outside the Nalambalam on the south-west side. Bhagavathi, in the form of the Divine Mother, is worshipped on the northern side of the temple. The temple also has a sacred grove in the north-west corner housing the idols of Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi, while a shrine dedicated to Brahma Rakshas is situated in the north-east corner within the temple grounds.

The main annual celebration is the Aarattu Festival, held during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (November–December). The festival usually begins in the last week of November and concludes in the first week of December. It starts with the ceremonial flag hoisting and ends with the Pallivetta and Aarattu rituals. As the temple is located in Vellinezhi, the renowned home of Kathakali, the festival also features a rich programme of cultural events, including Thayambaka, Panchavadyam, dance performances and devotional music. Sree Krishna Jayanti (Ashtami Rohini), celebrated on the Rohini star in the Malayalam month of Chingam, is observed with special rituals, processions and festive programmes. Vishu is also celebrated with great importance at the temple. In addition, the Mandala season, observed from Vrischikam to Dhanu, is one of the major annual observances. The annual re-consecration day is also celebrated with great devotion.

The main offerings made to Lord Sree Krishna include Chandanam Charthal (sandalwood paste offering), Palpayasam, Neypayasam, Venna Nivedyam (butter offering), Appam Nivedyam, Tulasi Mala and Pushpanjali. Chandanam Charthal is offered for mental peace and good health, while Palpayasam and Neypayasam are offered for family prosperity and well-being. Venna Nivedyam and Appam Nivedyam are commonly offered for the welfare of children and success in education. Offerings to Brahma Rakshas include Palpayasam and the offering of cloth, which devotees perform to remove obstacles and seek relief from family-related difficulties. Ganapathi Homam and Appam are offered to Lord Ganesha for the removal of obstacles, Neerajanam is offered to Lord Ayyappa for relief from the effects of Saturn (Shani Dosha) and Sarpa Bali and Ayilyam Pooja are performed for the Naga deities to seek relief from Sarpa Dosha.

The temple opens daily at 5:00 a.m. with Palli Unarthal (awakening of the deity). This is followed by Nirmalya Darshan at 5:05 a.m. and Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam at around 5:30 a.m. Usha Pooja and Usha Payasam Nivedyam are performed at 6:30 a.m., followed by Ucha Pooja and the main offerings at 10:00 a.m. The temple closes at 10:30 a.m. after the morning rituals. It reopens at 5:30 p.m., with Deeparadhana taking place at around 6:30 p.m. and Athazha Pooja at 7:30 p.m. The temple closes for the day at 8:00 p.m. after the completion of the evening rituals. The pooja timings may vary on special occasions such as Ashtami Rohini, the annual festival and the Mandala season.

Key highlight :-

• Located 25 km from Ottapalam and 30 km from Shoranur.
• The nearest railway station is Ottapalam Railway Station, about 25 km away.
• Local bus services are available to the temple from Cherpulassery and Ottapalam.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.