Kottayam - Balakrishna Ambalam

Kottayam, the renowned cultural centre of Kerala boasts of a few ancient temples that have fascinating legends. The Mahadev temple lying in the heart of the town on the Tirunakkara Hill is said to have emerged at the instance of Vadakkunathan of Trichur. The Tekkumkur Raja, an ardent devotee of SIva of Trichur was visiting every month the Vadakkunatha temple. Once he piteously prayed that his old age was posing a problem and so he could not visit thereafter. The Omnicompassionate Siva assured him that he himself would dwell on Tirunakkara Hill thenceforward for his uninterrupted worship. Accordingly a Sivalinga emerged from the ground, when farmers hoeing the ground for raising crops. A big temple was built and it attained eminence due to Sivalila.

The very same story is attributed to the Krishna temple situated at the foot of the same hill. The icon of archamurti Balakrishna of infinite charm and ethereal beauty was found likewise and was installed in a small but elegantly built shrine that is attracting a steady stream of bhaktas round the year. It is a superb specimen of great artistry and mesmerizes the beholders infinitely. It is a typical Kerala temple with a circular Sri koil mandapam, kuttambalam, balikapura etc. More than these essentials, the masterly decoration of Balakrishna with colourful garlands and dazzling jewels is a sight that arrests attention and wrings soulful veneration. The small size archamurti in his chandanalakara casts such enchantment that the devotees feel oblivious of surroundings for a while. The garbhagriha lit by the hanging lamps lends inexplicable sobha to the idol. It is only to be seen than described. Agamic prayer services are offered daily and the annual festivals celebrated on a grand scale draw thousands of bhaktas, who overflow the compound and environs during these occasions.

It lies in the heart of Kottayam, accessible by walk from bus stand.

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