56457547647, Kari Krishna Perumal Temple, Thiruayarpadi, Thiruvallur
56457547647, Kari Krishna Perumal Temple, Thiruayarpadi, Thiruvallur

Kari Krishna Perumal Temple, Thiruayarpadi, Thiruvallur

Date built:
Deity:Krishna
Architectural style:Dravidian architecture
Major festivals
Locale:Thiruayarpadi
District::Thiruvallur
Address:Kari Krishna Perumal Temple,Thiruayarpadi, Thiruvallur District
Phone+91 44 2797 2290 / 2797 4934

Kari Krishna Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Thiruayarpadi Village near Ponneri in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This is a very ancient Krishna temple, a rarity in Tamilnadu as Krishna temples are few compared to Shiva temples.

The temple was built by the Chola king Karikala II, and that is why the deity has the prefix Kari before his name. The present temple with its carved stone pillars must have been built much later than Karikalan’s time. Maybe the temple built by Karikala crumbled in the course of time and was later replaced with the present one by one of his descendants. The temple is well maintained.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 07.30 am – 10.30 am and 05.30 pm – 08.30 pm.

Festivals

  • 10 days Brahmotsavam beginning with Chitra Pournami.
  • Chitra Festival – meeting of Kari Krishna Perumal with Lord Shiva
  • Puratasi Saturdays special at this temple
  • Vaikunta Ekadesi
  • Rama Navami

Prayers

The Lord is worshipped here by childless couples to be blessed with a child. It is considered as a Prarthana Sthalam for the childless. On Rohini star every month, if childless couples visit the Kari Krishna temple with two plantains, ½ liter milk, 100gms butter and oil (Gingelly lamp oil) and perform an archanai, the Lord is said to immediately bless the couple with progeny.

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

Kari Krishna Perumal:

Ages back a cow belonging to a villager used to graze around in the forests here. One day the master of the cow saw the cow pouring its milk in a bush without any one actually milking it. The master who got confused went and saw the place along with the villagers. There was an ant hill amidst the bushes. They started demolishing the ant hill curiously. While digging out they saw this idol of Lord Krishna showing up.

While digging further, it is said that, Lord Krishna moved his leg a bit and stood slanting to avoid being hit by the crowbar. But one of the crowbars hit him on his shoulders. The villagers took out this beautiful idol of Lord Krishna which stood tilted, holding a whip on his hand. It is said that the mark of the crowbar still remains on the deity and sandal paste is applied on it regularly, to heal the wound.

The villagers installed the idol here adjacent to the ant hill itself. The Lord does not have any Peetam or base and seen standing on the floor, in a tilted posture with one of his leg a bit away. Ancient Chozha king, Karikala Chozha II has built this temple for Lord Krishna and hence the God here came to be known as Sri Kari Krishna Perumal.

Hariharan Sandhippu Urchavam:

Bharadhwaja Maha Rishi is said to have undertaken penance at this temple and Agastya Rishi is undertook penance at this place invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared before Bharadhwaja Rishi and Lord Shiva before Sage Agastya and acceded to their request of providing joint darshan to the devotees. Marking this occasion, a festival called Hari – Haran Sandhippu Urchavam (‘Shiva – Vishnu Meet’ festival) is celebrated annually near this temple.

This is probably the only place where these 2 Gods meet. In accordance with this event, every year on the 5th day of Chitrai, Kari Krishna Perumal leaves on a procession to the bazaar street in Ponneri where he meets with Lord Shiva and exchanges garland. As Lord Shiva met with Lord Vishnu here, this street has come to be called Hari-Haran bazaar street.

Prarthana Sthalam:

It is also a Prarthana Sthalam where childless couples worship and are blessed with children.

Aayarpaadi:

In Thamizh ‘Aayarpaadi’ means shepherd village, the place where Lord Krishna grew up. This village also has the same name, as the Lord here gives Dharshan as a Shepherd.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Ponneri, 13 Kms from Minjur, 8 Kms from Thatchoor, 10 Kms from Thirupalaivanam, 19 Kms from Pulicat, 17 Kms from Gummidipoondi, 31 Kms from Thiruvottriyur, 38 Kms from Chennai and 54 Kms from Tiruvallur.

By Road:

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Ponneri Bus Depot. Take the Kolkata highways (Grand North Trunk road) and go straight beyond the Tollgate at Karanodai. At about 2-3 kms from the Tollgate, you will see a cross road called Thatchur cross road. At this point, turn right towards Ponneri and you will reach Ponneri in about 5 kms. Once you enter Ponneri cross the bazaar and proceed straight under the railway bridge and before the River bridge take a left turn the temple is on the main road on the right.

By Train:

The Temple is located at about 1 Km North East of the Ponneri Railway Station. Auto from the Ponneri Railway Station to the temple is available. Sub-Urban trains ply between Chennai Central and Ponneri (Gummudipoondi route) every half hour. It will take about 1 hour to reach Ponneri from Chennai Central Station.

By Air:

The Temple is located at about 50 Kms from Chennai International Airport.

Contact Details

Kari Krishna Perumal Temple,
Thiruayarpadi, Thiruvallur District
Phone: +91 44 2797 2290 / 2797 4934
Mobile: +91 94447 20636 / 99941 82494

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