Krishnan Temple, Vadaseri, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari

Krishnan Temple, Vadaseri, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari

Krishnan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Krishnancoil in Vadaseri, a suburb in Nagercoil Town in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. The area was named after this Temple. It is believed to be built 1000 years ago. It is situated on National Highway 944 (India), which connects Nagercoil with Tirunelveli and Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala.

The Krishnan temple at Krishnancoil is described as "The Guruvayoor of South" as the chief deity is visually like the one in the Guruvayoor temple. It connects the realistic tradition of Hindu mysticism to local folklore and happens to be a premiere spot for local devotees to show up and present their prayers.

Legends

The region was under the rule of Adhiya Varma then. As a staunch devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan, he wanted to build a temple here also for the Lord. Lord Krishna with butter in his hands appeared in the dream of the king and directed him to build a temple for him here indicating the place also. The king made the idol in the form he saw in the dream, installed it with all grand ceremonies and named him Navaneethakrishnan – Krishna holding butter.

The Temple

Lord Krishna as a child appears from the sanctum sanctorum in a standing posture with legs slightly bent. The sanctum sanctorum is decorated with flowers showing only the face of Lord.  This darshan blesses the devotees with all mental peace and happiness. Festival deity Lord Rajagopala graces darshan with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The figures of the Ashtathik Palakas are depicted around the flag post – Kodimaram. 

It may be recalled that Lord Krishna was praised as Rajagopala when he was a child grazing the cows, hence Sri Krishna is the presiding deity and Sri Rajagopala as festival deity. As Lord Krishna is very popular here, the place also is praised as Krishnan Kovil. During the Artha Jama pujas at night, Child Krishna is placed in a silver cradle with Thalattu – a melodious song to make the Lord sleep with a smile. 

There are no sub-deities in the temple as Lord Krishna alone is prominent in the temple. Garuda Bhagwan graces from the front mandapam. Noted Vaishnavite Saints Nammazhwar, Periazhwar and Vishvaksena appear jointly in a single shrine. The custodian deity Boothathan appears in the form of Danda made of wood. Special pujas are offered to the custodian deity on the day of Mandala Puja in Sabarimala and on the first day of Thai month falling almost on January 14. 

There is also a Dharma Sastha shrine here with special pujas on Panguni Uthiram in March-April. The temple has a gooseberry tree praised as Mother Mahalakshmi. A Shivalinga is under the Kondrai tree with a Nagar-serpent deity. Those facing Naga Dosha – adverse serpent aspect worship here offering milk abishek to Nagar.

The Krishnancoil temple in the suburb is well maintained, and was renovated in 2008 for Kumbabishekam which took place after many decades. The temple is surrounded by the living population in 4 main streets named according to the direction (south, north, west maada street and Sannadhi street). The pond adjacent to the temple (known in Tamil as "Teppakulam") has two "pipal trees" on its banks, one each on the west and south sides.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

The annual ten-day temple festival is conducted during the Tamil month of Chithirai, which falls between April 14 and May 14. Fourth day of the Brahmmotsavam, is called Vennai Thazhi – butter pot – Utsava, Lord holding the pot in his hands. On the seventh day, he comes in procession in Indira Vahana. During the Chithirai (Apr-May) Brahmmotsavam, Lord Rajagopala Swami comes in car procession. On the Vaikunta Ekadasi day, he alone goes through the Sorgavasal – Gate of Heaven. 

Lord comes to the river Pazhayaru for the Aarattu event. Pushapabishekam – abishek with flowers – is celebrated on the last Saturday in the Aadi month – July-August. Sri Krishna Jayanthi in August-September and Chitra Poornima full moon day in April-May are the other main festivals celebrated in the temple. Special pujas are dedicated to Lord on Krishna Jayanthi day – his birth day at night. He will appear as a little child with all Alankaras-dressing. Next day the Uri Adi festival takes place.

Prayers

People pray to Lord seeking child boon. Devotees offer Vennai Kappu – covering Lord with butter – and offer Milk porridge, Unni Appam, milk, fruit, rice flakes, butter, flakes and sugar Nivedhanas.

Contact

Krishnan Temple,

Krishnancoil, Vadaseri,

Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District

Phone: +91 4652 274 499

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km far from the Vadaseri Bus Stand on the Thiruvananthapuram road. Town bus facility is available. The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Nagercoil Bus Stand, 2 Kms from Nagercoil Railway Station, 3 Kms from Nagercoil, 8 Kms from Suchindram, 10 Kms from Boothapandi, 21 Kms from Kanyakumari, 13 Kms from Eraniel and 74 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nagercoil and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.