Vasudevapuram SriKrishna Temple Tavanur (ശ്രീ വാസുദേവപുരം ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രം)

Tavanur

Tavanur

Tavanur is a small village on the southern bank of Bharathapuzha, the longest river of Kerala in the Malappuram District of Kerala state in India...

Sri Vasudevapuram Temple

Temple

A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...

 is one among the three ancient great temples (Maha Kshetram) on the Southern bank of the holy river Bharathapuzha. Sri Vasudevapuram Temple is situated to the east of the other two great temples viz. Maha Siva Temple and Brahma temple (these temples along with the famous Thirunavaya

Thirunavaya Temple

Tirunavaya Temple is a historically significant ancient Hindu temple on the banks of the River Bharata dedicated to Nava Mukundan Vishnu with the other deities like Ganesha, and Lakshmi. It is located near the ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre of Tirunavaya, a village 8 km south of Tirur in the...

 Maha Vishnu temple across the river forms the great trilogy in Sanatana Dharma

Hinduism

Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...

)
The area of Tavanur in which the temple is located is called Muvaankara (മൂവ്വാങ്കര). Since Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the presiding deities of the area, it was initially known as Muvalankara, which later became Muvaankara.

This temple is situated in a serene atmosphere in the middle of a wooded area (42 cents) resembling that of Sabarimala

Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage center located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in India with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year. Sabarimala is believed to be the place where the Hindu God Ayyappan...

. The temple belonged to Maravanchery Mana and now it has been handed over to a registered trust of devotees.

The beautiful and unique Sri Krishna idol made of jet black stone is in the form of child Sri Krishna with butter in both hands. It is believed to have been the idol worshiped by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was a Brahmin saint who lived during the middle of 14th century in Kerala. He was such an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he is said to have the ability to actually see the lord whenever he wanted. Even though he is a Keralite, his fame as a poet had spread...

.

"Sri Vasudevapuram" temple is built for Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was a Brahmin saint who lived during the middle of 14th century in Kerala. He was such an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he is said to have the ability to actually see the lord whenever he wanted. Even though he is a Keralite, his fame as a poet had spread...

's mother for offering prayer during her old age. Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was a Brahmin saint who lived during the middle of 14th century in Kerala. He was such an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he is said to have the ability to actually see the lord whenever he wanted. Even though he is a Keralite, his fame as a poet had spread...

 was so great a Bhaktha

Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement is a Hindu religious movement in which the main spiritual practice is loving devotion among the Shaivite and Vaishnava saints. The Bhakti movement originated in ancient Tamil Nadu and began to spread to the north during the late medieval ages when north India was under Islamic...

 (devotee of) Sri Krishna that he was said to possess the ability to actually "see" him. He was instrumental in setting up several famous temples in Kerala such as Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvaarppu, and Cherthala Kaarthiaayani.

Legends

Lord Sri Krishna as a child appeared to a mahatma

Mahatma

Mahatma is Sanskrit for "Great Soul". It is similar in usage to the modern Christian term saint. This epithet is commonly applied to prominent people like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jyotirao Phule and Branch Rickey...

 who was a devout Brahmin and a yathi varyan (Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar

Vilwamangalam Swamiyar was a Brahmin saint who lived during the middle of 14th century in Kerala. He was such an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan that he is said to have the ability to actually see the lord whenever he wanted. Even though he is a Keralite, his fame as a poet had spread...

). He worshiped Lord Sri Krishna in child form in a unique idol. After the disappearance of his mortal body, that devine idol was installed in a temple as per temple rituals for the benefit of common people. The village was dedicated to the Lord of this temple and was rechristened Vasudevapuram. Later a devotee of Lord Shiva brought a Shiva lingam and installed it in the temple for his worship. Ganapathi and Sastha idols were also installed in the temple.

Festivals

Ashtami Rohini in Chingam (August-September) is the birthday of Lord Krishna.
That is celebrated every year with cultural programs, procession, and special poojas including Guru pooja (Yatheeswara pooja). The devotees are given special feast on this day.

Niraputhari: This takes place in the month of Chingam. Puthari means new rice. It is the formal beginning of the use of rice after the new harvest season. It is a tradition in Sanatana Dharma

Hinduism

Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...

that any food, item or work is offered (dedicated) to Lord before it is used. Puthari payasam is offered to Lord.

Kuchela Dinam: The first Wednesday of the month of Dhanu (December) is celebrated as Kuchela Dinam. It is based on the belief that it was on this day that Kuchela, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna offered Avil (parched rice) to him and in return attained eternal bliss and material prosperity . Avil offering is considered auspicious on this day.