Krishnaswamy Temple, Ambasamudram – Legends
Markandeya Rishi's connection with Krishnan Koil:
It is
believed that the sage Markandeya got the darshan of Adi Sesha, the divine
serpent, in this site. As per Sesha’s order, Markandeya installed the idol of
Lord Krishna here. The idol of Krishna and his consorts are made up of Salagrama
stone from Kandigai River in Nepal. The interesting feature is that the
Salagrama idol was carved in the form of Krishna playing the flute without any
help from the sculptors.
Builder of this Temple:
A Chera
King, a staunch Vishnu devotee had the desire of building a temple for
Perumal. Lord appearing in his dream suggested the place in Punnai
Vanam – forest of Punnai trees – on the banks of River
Tambiraparani. He made an idol as he saw in his dream, with his
consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama, installed and built the temple. Though
the presiding deity is named Krishnaswamy, people know the temple as Krishnan
Koil only.
Punnai Vana Krishna:
As the
temple was built amidst the forest full of Punnai tree in those days, it is also
called as Punnai Vana Kshetra. Hence the Lord here is also known as Punnai Vana
Krishna. In memory of this, the Lord goes on a Punnai Vana Vahana on the 7th
day procession of the Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi.