Inside Thirupalkadal Sree Krishna Swami Temple, An Ancient Dravidian Architectural Marvel

Thirupalkadal Sree Krishna Swami Temple is one of the oldest Hindu shrines located in Thiruvananthapuram dedicated to Lord Krishna. According to Local 18 Malayalam, this temple is not as renowned as Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple and Sree Krishna Swamy Temple in Ambalapuzha. However, Thirupalkadal Sree Krishna Swami Temple is very well known amongst the locals in the Keezhperoor village. This temple has been constructed in the ancient Dravidian style of architecture. It also features the carvings of Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva on the outer wall of a circular garbhagriha containing the form of Parabrahman. Para Brahman is described as the formlessness (in the sense that it is devoid of Maya) that eternally pervades everything, everywhere in the universe and whatever is beyond. Lord Krishna’s four-armed standing idol is considered the central icon and is shown carrying the conch Panchajanya. It is also shown carrying the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki and a lotus with a Holy basil garland.

It is believed that one of the kings of the erstwhile Venad kingdom (Kulashekhara Alwar considered the seventh in the line of the twelve Azhwars) built the Thirupalkadal Sree Krishna Swami Temple. Later the kingdom and family came to be called Venad Keezhperoor Swaroopam. Lord Krishna was the principal deity of this kingdom that ruled during the Sangam Period. Sangam Age is the period from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD in South India.

In the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Tamil Alvar saints (6th-9th centuries AD), the temple is one of the 108 principal Divya Desams (Holy Abodes) in Vaishnavism. It is also glorified in the Divya Prabandha. The Divya Prabandha praises this shrine as being among the 14 Divya Desam in Malai Nadu (corresponding to present-day Kerala and Kanyakumari). Alwars, the Tamil poet-saints of Southern India, composed the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, (a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses).

Thirupalkadal Sree Krishna Swami Temple is known for its calm and composed environment. Festivals like Janmashtami, Medam Utsavam and Ekadasi are celebrated in the temple. Besides Lord Krishna and Brahma, other deities worshipped in the temple are Lord Ganesha, Muruga and Nandi (sacred bull of the Hindu god Shiva).