Nandikulangara Sree Krishna Temple

Mannam, North Paravur, Dist. Ernakulam.

Nandikulangara Sree Krishna Temple is located at Mannam in North Paravur, Ernakulam district. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple, which is one of the important Hindu places of worship in the Paravur region. The temple has historical and cultural importance and various daily poojas, offerings and festivals are observed here.

The temple is located in the North Paravur region, formerly part of the territory of the Paravur royal family, near the historical boundary between the Kingdom of Cochin and the Kingdom of Travancore. In its early years, the temple was managed by local uranma families, who were traditional landowning families. Its administration later came under local committees and the Travancore Devaswom Board. The daily activities and festivals are coordinated by Nair community organisations and local committees in the Mannam area. There are no widely available inscriptions or clear historical records showing the exact year of its construction or the person who built it. There are, however, assessments that the temple was built under the supervision of the Paravur royal family or local chieftains associated with them. In recent years, extensive renovation and reconstruction work has been carried out, including work on the Sreekovil and the surrounding structure. Some legal proceedings related to these works between the Travancore Devaswom Board and the temple advisory committee were also considered by the Kerala High Court. The construction work was completed with the financial and physical participation of devotees and the advisory committee.

The name ‘Nandikulangara’ is linked to an Aithihyam about Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. According to the story, Nandi appeared before a sage who was performing penance in this area and made a pond by striking the ground with his horn. The area near the pond made by Nandi is said to have come to be known as Nandikulangara. Although places associated with Nandi usually have Shiva temples, the main deity here is Lord Krishna. Another local Aithihyam says that a Krishna idol was found near the pond, or that it was installed here after a devotee had a dream about the deity. The deity is also worshipped in the form of Krishna standing peacefully after subduing Kaliya. It is also said that people once believed the temple pond had divine powers to cure diseases.

From the road, a simple concrete arch marks the entrance to the temple grounds, with a board bearing the temple name above it. On entering through the gate, the large compound wall and the main temple building can be seen inside. A spacious area for parking vehicles is available along the entrance path. The first features seen inside are the large flagstaff and the large concrete elephant shelter protecting it. During festivals, this shelter is used for keeping elephants and conducting various events. A Vilakkumadam, a structure for placing rows of lamps, can also be seen along the walls of the surrounding structure. In front of the Sreekovil is the Namaskara Mandapam, used for prayers and chanting mantras. Its pillars and roof feature wooden carvings.

The temple has a circular, single-level Sreekovil built in the traditional Kerala architectural style. Its base and walls are made of laterite stone and granite. The pyramid-shaped roof is covered with copper sheets and topped with a finial. In front of the deity is the Sopana, a set of steps carved from granite, with carvings and Vyali figures on both sides. The Santhikkaran uses these steps to enter the Sreekovil. Figures of Dwarapalakas can also be seen on either side of the Sreekovil entrance. The main idol is in the four-armed form of Lord Vishnu, but the deity is worshipped here as Lord Krishna. The black stone idol holds a conch, discus, mace and lotus in its four hands. The Sreekovil faces east.

The idol of Lord Ganesha can be seen inside the Nalambalam, at the south-western corner of the main Sreekovil. Outside the Nalambalam, a small separate Sreekovil in the south-western part of the temple houses Lord Ayyappa. The idol of Bhagavathy can be seen in the north-western part, close to the northern entrance. She is worshipped here in the form of Durga as a calm and gentle deity. Outside the temple compound wall, a separate sacred grove at the north-western corner has idols of Naga deities, including Naga-raja and Naga-yakshi.

The main annual festival of the temple is usually held in the Malayalam month of Makaram (January–February). It begins with the Kodiyettam and ends with the Aarattu in the temple pond after the Pooram and Pallivetta ceremonies. Traditional art forms such as Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu and Ottan Thullal, along with Thidambu Ezhunnallippu and traditional percussion performances, are held during the festival. Ashtami Rohini, the birth star of Lord Krishna, is observed in the Malayalam month of Chingam with special poojas, Niraputhari, Akhandanama Japam and a procession involving children. The 41-day Mandala season, from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 11, is also observed with special lamps and poojas for Lord Krishna and Lord Ayyappa. Vishukkani is arranged on Medam 1, while special poojas and Vidyarambham are held at the Bhagavathy shrine during Navaratri. Rohini and Ekadashi observed every Malayalam month are also special days at the temple.

The main offerings to Lord Krishna include Palpayasam, butter offering, Thrikkai Venna, Tulasi Mala, Pushpanjali and Chandanam Charthal. Palpayasam is offered to the deity by devotees as a prayer for success in their careers and family prosperity. Butter is offered in the form of Unnikrishna, while Thrikkai Venna involves placing butter in the hands of the deity. Devotees perform these offerings for the well-being and health of children. Tulasi Mala and Pushpanjali are among the regular offerings. Chandanam Charthal, in which sandalwood paste is applied to the idol, is performed on special days. Ganapathihomam, Ottayappam and Modakam are offered to Lord Ganesha, while Neerajanam is offered to Lord Ayyappa. Noorum Paalum and turmeric powder abhishekam are performed for the Naga deities.

The daily pooja rituals at the temple begin at 05:00 AM with the opening of the sanctum and Nirmalya Darshan. This is followed by Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam. Ushapooja is performed from 06:30 AM to 07:00 AM, followed by Ethirthupooja and Pantheeradi Pooja after sunrise. The Uchapooja is held from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, after which offerings including Palpayasam are made and the temple closes for the morning. The temple reopens at 05:00 PM for the evening darshan. Deeparadhana is held at 06:30 PM, followed by Athazha Pooja at 07:15 PM. The temple closes at 07:30 PM after the day’s poojas, Harivarasanam and Thrippuka. On special days such as Ashtami Rohini and the annual festival in Makaram, the pooja schedule and darshan timings may vary.

Key highlight :-

• Located 13 km from Aluva, 14 km from Kodungallur and 18 km from Angamaly.
• 15 km from Aluva railway station.
• 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.