Ambasamudram Krishnaswamy Temple – A Must Visit Temple on the Day of Krishna Jayanthi !!

Krishna Jayanthi is a very important festival celebrated every year during the month of Avani (Aug- Sep) on the Rohini Star day marking the Birth of Lord Krishna.

Sri Krishnaswamy temple is located in the place called Ambasamudram in Thirunelveli Dist., The main deity of this temple is Lord Krishna and He graces His devotees with both the consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama. The original deity and the temple is believed to have been 1000 years old but the current form of the temple is said to have been built by Chera King Sengutty Vaalithi and this temple is also known as Punnai Vana Kshethram.

The main deity of Lord Krishna is made up of Saligrama stone and is seen in the standing posture playing the flute keeping His right leg slightly back. The divine snake Adisesha is seen above His head like an umbrella. Usually, the 9 hooded Adisesha will be seen atop Lord Vishnu in the sleeping position. But here Adisesha is found atop Lord Krishnaswamy who is in the standing position. Since the main idol is made up of Saligrama stone, the daily Thirumanjanam (Abishekam) is performed with oil and milk only.

One of the important aspects of this temple is that Lord Krishna is always seen with His consorts and He never parts with them. Even during the Garuda Seva, the Lord appears with both the Goddess Rukmini and Sathyabama. During Theerthavari festival, Lord Krishna Himself comes to the holy river with His Consorts (Normally, during such occasions, only Lord Chakrathazhwar goes to the river as the representative of Lord Vishnu). On the day of Vaikunda Ekadesi also, Lord passes through the Sorgavaasal along with His Consorts. Hence the Lord of this temple is known as “Nithya Kalyana Perumal” (i.e. Perumal always in the wedding Form).

Krishna Jayanthi, the Birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated in a very grand and unique manner in this temple. It is celebrated by opening the eyes of a coconut. It is believed that this represents the opening of the eyes of a New Born Baby. Then the procession deity (Utsavar) is fed with milk from a conch. This ritual is done with the belief that they are feeding the Baby Krishna. Later, Paddy is offered as prasadam to the devotees. Giving Paddy as the prasadam represents the fact that the world became prosperous after the Avatar of Lord Krishna. 🙂

Wish You All a Very Happy Krishna Jayanthi !!