Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple

Malayinkeezhu, Kattakada, Dist. Thiruvananthapuram.

Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is an ancient and historically important Hindu temple located in Malayinkeezhu village in Kattakkada Taluk, Thiruvananthapuram district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu in the form of Sree Krishna and features a four-armed idol of the deity. It is an important place of worship for devotees and is managed by the Neyyattinkara Group of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The history of Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is closely connected with Thiruvalla village and the Travancore royal family. It is believed that Brahmins from Thiruvalla had established their influence in this region even before the beginning of the Kollam Era (AD 824). During medieval Kerala, the Pathillathil Potimar, prominent Namboothiri families of Thiruvalla, held extensive land and administrative authority in southern Travancore. A monastery belonging to the Peringara Movidathu Mecheri Illam, another well-known family from Thiruvalla, also stood to the south-east of the temple. For many centuries, the temple functioned as a subordinate temple of Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple. As a result, the main deity was historically known as ‘Thiruvallazhappan’.

In its early years, the temple was managed by the local Potimar. It later came under the rule of the Venad rulers and subsequently under the Travancore royal family. As the Kingdom of Travancore expanded, the administrative rights of the temple were transferred from the Potimar to the royal administration. The Mathilakam records contain references to Malayinkeezhu Temple. These records state that during the reign of , musicians and performers from the temple were invited to take part in special ceremonies at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Later, during the reign of and under the administration of, importance was given to the temple’s administrative reforms and construction works. Today, the temple is managed by the Neyyattinkara Group of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Several legends are associated with the temple. One of the most popular legends is about the journey of the main idol. According to tradition, the idol was being taken to for consecration. During the journey, it became firmly fixed at this place and it is believed that the deity then walked on His own to the foot of Mankunnu Hill, where the temple now stands. This legend is also the reason for the temple’s connection with Thiruvalla and why the main deity was historically known as ‘Thiruvallazhappan’. Another legend says that the idol was found on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River by Sage Narada during the Dwapara Yuga and was consecrated here. A local tradition also says that the chief priests of this temple and Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple received visions of the deity from the other temple in their dreams, symbolising the spiritual connection between the two temples. Another legend explains the restriction on the entry of women into the Nalambalam. According to this belief, a tribal woman who lived near the temple tried to win the affection of the deity and was turned into stone. The deity is believed to be worshipped here in the form of a Brahmachari.

The temple complex stands on slightly raised ground above the road. A broad flight of granite steps leads to the main entrance. The entrance features a traditional Kerala-style gateway built with timber and tiled roofing, along with a gopuram with a traditional wooden roof. Inside the entrance are a large elephant shelter and a flagstaff covered with gold or copper. A spacious temple pond is located outside the temple, while a large Bali stone stands in front of the Nalambalam inside the entrance. The square-shaped Nalambalam surrounding the Sreekovil has rows of traditional oil lamp holders along its outer walls, adding to the temple’s traditional Kerala architectural style.

The main attraction of the temple is the Sreekovil, which is built in the rare circular style of traditional Kerala architecture. The outer walls of the Sreekovil feature murals based on stories from the Puranas, wooden carvings and carvings on the granite pillars. The roof of the Namaskara Mandapam in front of the Sreekovil is also decorated with beautiful wooden carvings. The sanctum houses a four-armed granite idol of Lord Mahavishnu, carved in the traditional Kerala style, holding the conch, discus, mace and lotus. Although the idol is in the form of Lord Mahavishnu, the consecration concept is that of Bala Krishna, the child form of Krishna, the son of Yashoda.

Within the Nalambalam, a shrine dedicated to Lord Ganapathi is located in the south-west corner, facing east. Outside the Nalambalam, a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva stands in the north-west, facing west, while a shrine dedicated to Dharma Sastha (Ayyappa) is situated in the south-west, facing east. Near the Oottupura on the northern side of the temple is the shrine of Bhoothathan, who is worshipped as the temple’s guardian deity. Naga Raja and Naga Yakshi are worshipped at the Naga Thara in the north-west corner of the temple grounds. Shrines dedicated to Brahmarakshass are located in the north-east corner, while a Yakshi shrine stands beneath a pala tree to the south-east of the temple.

The main festival of the temple is the eight-day Thiruvaarattu Mahotsavam, celebrated during the Malayalam month of Meenam (March–April). The festival begins with the ceremonial flag hoisting. During the festival, special poojas, Kazhcha Sreebali, Panchari Melam and cultural programmes such as Kathakali, Ottanthullal, Krishnanattam and devotional music performances are held. On the seventh night, the ceremonial Pallivetta takes place. The festival concludes on the eighth day with the Thiruvaarattu procession, in which the deity is taken on a caparisoned elephant to the Arattu Kadavu near Kuzhakkad Bhagavathi Temple for the ceremonial holy bath. Other important occasions observed at the temple include Ashtami Rohini in the Malayalam month of Chingam, the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, Vishu, Ekadashi every month and Thursdays. On these occasions, special poojas, Venna Nivedyam, Uriyadi, Palpayasam offering, special poojas for Dharma Sastha, Vishukkani Darshan and Vishukkaineettam are conducted.

The main offerings at the temple include Palpayasam, Venna Nivedyam, Thrikkai Venna and Muzhukappu. Devotees mainly offer Palpayasam for the health and well-being of children. As the deity is worshipped in the form of Bala Krishna, Venna Nivedyam and Thrikkai Venna are offered for children’s welfare, good health, wisdom and the fulfilment of prayers. Muzhukappu, in which the idol is covered with sandalwood paste, is an important offering performed for peace of mind and the fulfilment of wishes. Other important offerings at the temple include Purusha Sukta Archana, Sahasranama Archana, Bhagya Sukta Archana, Ney Vilakku, Chuttu Vilakku and Nirapara. Devotees who wish to perform the major offerings are advised to book them in advance through the temple.

The temple is open daily from 05:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM. The daily rituals begin with Palliyunarthal at 04:30 AM, followed by the opening of the sanctum, Nirmalya Darshan, Abhishekam and Usha Pooja at around 06:30 AM. Ucha Pooja is performed at around 10:30 AM, after which Palpayasam, the temple’s main offering, is offered before the temple closes at 11:00 AM. The temple reopens at 05:00 PM. Deeparadhana is performed at around 06:30 PM, followed by Athazha Pooja and the offering of Nivedyam at around 07:30 PM. The temple closes at 08:00 PM. On special occasions such as Ashtami Rohini, Vishu and the annual festival in the Malayalam month of Meenam, the pooja schedule and temple opening hours may vary.

Key highlight :-

• Located 7 km from Kattakada, 13 km from Neyyattinkara and 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
• The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 13 km away.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• The traditional custom of restricting the entry of women into the Nalambalam is still followed at the temple.
• Contact number +91 9387081741