Ambalappuzha is a small coastal town in Alappuzha district of Kerala state. The town is famous for its Sri Krishna temple. The Ambalappuzha temple is one of the three important Sri Krishna temples in the state of Kerala. Constructed in the typical Kerala architectural style, the temple is famous all over India, and is renowned for the Palpayasam, the daily offering of sweet milk porridge.
The Ambalapuzha Temple is a typical Kerala style built temple, dedicated to Sree Krishna popularly known as Ambalapuzha Unni. Ambalapuzha temple is famous for its temple architecture and the milk porridge- Paalpaayasam. Chembakasseri Pooradam built this temple in 800 AD.
One of the legends connected with the origin of this temple is related to the sage Vilwamangalam Swaamiyaar. Devanarayana Raja surrendered his kingdom to Sreekrishnan after the consecration of Ambalapuzha temple and assumed the name Devanarayanan. The idol at Ambalapuzha is likened to Parthasaarathhi with a whip in the right hand and a Shankhu (sacred conch) in the left.
It is also in this temple that 'Pallipana' dance is performed by 'Velans' (sorcerers) once in twelve years. Human sacrifice was conducted in ancient times. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple. During the raids Tipu Sultan in 1789, the idol of Sri Krishna from the Guruvayoor Temple(guruvayoor appan) was brought to the Ambalappuzha Temple for safe keeping. The payasam served in the Ambalappuzha Temple is famous among Hindu devotees. This sweet pudding made of rice and milk has an interesting mythological legend behind it.
