Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple
Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha district (14 km south of Alappuzha town) · Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy, holding a whip and a conch (Unnikkannan)
Krishna of the palpayasam, where the Guruvayur idol once sheltered and Kunchan Nambiar is said to have invented Ottan Thullal.
Ambalappuzha's Krishna temple was built by the Chembakasserry ruler Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan Thampuran (the date is given as 790 of the Malayalam Era, around the early 17th century; sources range from the 15th to the 17th century). Krishna here is Parthasarathy, the charioteer, with a whip in the right hand and a conch in the left. The temple is famous for its palpayasam, a rice-and-milk pudding that Guruvayurappan is believed to come and taste every day at the noon pooja. During Tipu Sultan's raids in 1789 the Guruvayur idol was kept here for safety. Entry is for Hindus only.
Timings
- Morning: approx. 3:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Evening: approx. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Palpayasam counter: approx. 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (after Ucha Pooja)
- Note: From secondary sources; the TDB does not publish these online. Confirm locally.
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Palpayasam – approx. ₹80–85 per ½ litre and ₹160–165 per litre (2026 secondary listings; a 2019 news report gave ₹160 per 500 ml) – confirm at counter (Booked by the morning; collected after Ucha Pooja (approx. 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM))
- Online vazhipadu (TDB) – As shown on onlinetdb.com (On the chosen date)
How to book darshan
Darshan is free. Palpayasam is bought at the TDB counter at the temple on the day. Other vazhipadu can be booked at the counter or on onlinetdb.com.
Dress code
Kerala temple dress code. Men wear a mundu and remove shirts and vests. Women wear a saree, set-mundu, churidar with dupatta or a long skirt and blouse.
Best time to visit
October to March. The Arattu festival in Meenam (March–April, Atham to Thiruvonam) and the Chambakulam Moolam boat race (Moolam of Mithunam, June–July) are the big occasions.
How to reach
- air: Cochin International Airport (about 100 km) or Thiruvananthapuram (about 140 km).
- rail: Ambalappuzha station (about 2 km); Alappuzha (about 14 km).
- road: On NH 66, 14 km south of Alappuzha; frequent buses.
Festivals
- Arattu Utsavam – Meenam (Mar–Apr), 10 days from Atham to Thiruvonam
- Chambakulam Moolam Vallamkali – Moolam star of Mithunam (June–July)
- Petta Thullal at Erumely – About 11 January (Sabarimala season)
- Pallipana – Once in 12 years