Thruchambaram Sree Krishna Temple is one of the most famous
Sree Krishna Temples in Kerala, the southernmost Indian State. It is located
near Thaliparamba in Kannur District. It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna,
along with Balarama, Gopas and Gopikas visit this place and replicate their
childhood days with which they enriched the blessed Vrindavan. A beautiful and
highly romantic myth is there about this temple and it goes back to the period
of Dwapara Yug.
Vasudeva and Devaki, the biological parents of Lord
Srikrishna became old and was spending days alone. Sri Krishna visited them
once. Since he found them to be very sad, he asked for the reason. They told
him that, they have been told by many people about the Bala Leelas (Childhood
Jovialities) of Krishna. Since they were in prison at that time they could
not see and experience his naughtiness and they feel sad about it. Then Lord
Krishna consoled them saying that they will be able to see everything shortly.
He asked them to go to the Sahya Mountains. He told them that there is a
village called Lakshmipuram on the western side of Sahya and Saint Shambara is
undergoing penance in a dense forest nearby that village. He informed them that
he has deputed Goddess Durga to maintain the serenity of the place. He assured
his parents that he will come to that place along with Balarama and other
friends to enjoy their childhood jovialities once again before the end of Dwaparayuga.
Meanwhile, Saint Agasthya went to Vaikunta to visit Lord
Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion, Goddess Lakshi presented him with a
beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu which she used to worship. Agasthy came back to
earth with that idol and visited Kancheepuram. There he came across a
great devotee with the name Pushkaran. He presented the idol to Pushkaran as regard to his selfless devotion. Pushkaran started worshiping the idol as per
the rituals instructed by Saint Agasthya and he started experiencing many good
things in life. Saint Narada came to know about this idol and he told the same
thing to Indra. Indra decided to take the idol for his worship but knew that
Pushkaran will not part with that. Hence, he entered Pushkaran’s house and
stole the idol. Pushkaran was outside of the house at that time and he got
shocked when he found the idol missing when he came back.
He started praying to Lord Vishnu for help in finding the
idol. One day Lord Vishnu came in his dreams and told him to start his journey
to find out the missing idol. He ensured Pushkaran that there will be many holy
flowers on his way to show the right path. Pushkaran started his journey in
search of the missing idol and whenever he missed the direction one or the
other holy flower appeared in front of him to guide him. Finally, he reached the dense forest where Saint Shambara is undergoing penance. Seeing the Saint
Pushkaran asked him about the reason why he has chosen this forest for worship
when lots of other calm and quiet places are available in the nearby locality.
Saint told him that Lord Krishna along with Balarama and other friends will
come here soon to replicate their childhood jovialities and Goddess Durga is
keeping this place serene for that. He is spending his days in worship of
Goddess Durga and waiting eagerly to see the childhood jovialities of Lord
Krishna. However, Pushkaran did not show interest in the story as he was eager
to find the missing idol. Saint Shambara ensured him that he will get the idol,
but will have to wait there till Parashurama comes. Obeying Saint’s advice,
Pushkara too started living in that forest worshipping Goddess Durga.
After a few years, Parasurama came there and asked the same
question to Saint Shambara and Shambara told the same story. Parasurama too
waited there to see the childhood jovialities of Lord Krishna. After a few days, one fine morning, they
heard a beautiful humming of a flute followed with beats of drums. Within a
short while, Lord Krishna came there along with Balarama and other friends came
there and started dancing. Then they got engaged in different types of games.
Along with old Vasudeva Devaki, Saint Shambara, Parasurama, and Pushkaran many
saints and gods witnessed this wonderful act and they all praised them with shower
of flowers. Touched with the beauty of the actions, Parasurama came forward and
fell on the feet of Lord Krishna and requested him o came to that place once in
a year and perform the same actions. Pleased with the devotion of Parashurama, He
agreed to come to that place every year in the Kumbham month of Malayalam
Calendar (February-March as per English Calendar) and to replicate his
childhood jovialities. Suddenly Saint Narada came there with a divine Vishnu
Idol and asked Parasurama to construct a temple and to consecrate that idol
there. To the great astonishment of Pushkaran, it was the same idol which Saint
Agasthya Presented to him.
Parasurama did as per the instruction of Saint Narada. Apart
from the temple, he created a beautiful garden, a lake, etc inside the forest to
provide a suitable atmosphere for Sri Krishna Leela. Then Narada came
again with two idols, one of Krishna and the other is of Balarama. He told
Parasurama that Brahmin children should hold these idols on their heads every
year when Lord Krishna is supposed to visit that place and should dance and
should engage in different games. This custom is still being practiced in
Thruchambaram Temple.
The place where Saint Shambaram used to live, later came to
know as Thiru Shambaram (Thiru being the prefix used to show respect to great
people) and then corrupted to Thruchambaram.
There are many more interesting tales about the Lord Krishna
residing at Thruchambaram and will be narrated in the coming parts.
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