Krishnaswami Ambasamudram

Vaishnavite Temples, Tirunelveli District

God

Venugopala Krishnaswami, facing east

Goddess

Rukmini, Satyabama along with main deity, facing east

Other Deities

Anjaneya, Azhwars

Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is a small east-facing temple with 2 Prakarams. The lord is seen playing his flute with his right leg slightly back. Adhisesha, the multiheaded snake is above his head like an umbrella. The idol is made of Salagrama stone found in Gandaki River in Nepal. The processional deity here is always with his consorts. The Garuda Seva here during the annual Brahmotsavam featuring 5 Garuda mounts and four other processional deities (Navaneeta Krishna, Lakshmi Narayana, Sundararajar, and Purushotama Perumal) from neighboring temples is an important event. The temple tank north of Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is common to this and the nearby Veeramarthandeswarar Temple. The mandapam in the middle has both Krishna and Shiva carvings in it. During the annual Float Festival, both the idols are taken around this tank on alternate days. The large doors of the temple have Dasavatara carvings on them.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Harihara Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Punnai (Calophyllum inophyllum)

Vimaanam – Ananda Nilaya Vimaanam

History

Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is an old temple dating back to the reign of the Cheras and Pandyas. Historical information is not available as of now, though it is said to be more than 500 years old.

Legend

Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is connected with the legend of a Chera King who wanted to build a temple for Lord Krishna. In his dream came the lord and told him to build the temple in a Punnaivanam (forest of Punnai trees – Calophyllum inophyllum) near the river Tamiraparani. He remembered the form of the Lord in his dream and replicated it.

Directions

Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is on your right after crossing the Tamiraparani Bridge when you go from Tirunelveli. Krishnaswami Ambasamudram is just before the Ambasamudram Town Arch and at the fork on the road. The Temple Tank is on the left. Just after this is the Veeramarthandeswarar Ambasamudram Temple on the left. Continuing on this road will take you to Koshtiappar temple at Urkad. Ambasamudram is about 40 kilometers west of Tirunelveli.

Stay and Food

There are many restaurants and a few hotels to stay in Ambasamudram. The food at Gowri Shankar is decent and so are the rooms.

Vaishnavite Temples

Krishnaswami, Ambasamudram