This famous Sreekrishnaswami temple is popularly known as Thekkan Guruvayoor, facing east. It is Located at Thevalakkara Panchayath near Chavara in Kollam district. The temple is very ancient and the Lord Krishna, the complete reincarnation of Sree Maha Vishnu, resides with all auspiciousness. Devotees can reach this temple by traveling five kilometers from Chavara Titanium Junction in Adoor route towards the east. Thanthram of this Maha Kshethra (Great Temple) is performed by Brahmasree Sreedharan Namboothiri of Puthumana Illam, Ambalapuzha. Three poojas are performed daily. Maha Ganapathy, Siva, Dharmasastha, Durga Devi, Brahmarakshus, Nagadevathas, Madan Thampuran etc are the sub-deities. The festival lasts for 10 days in the month of Kumbam during
more the star Thiruvonam. The festival ends with Aarrattu during the star Rohini. Ashtami Rohini, Sivaratri, Navarathri, vinayaka Chathurthi, Vishu, Mandalakala Celebrations etc. are the major festivals. During the Navarathri festival there is the special decoration of the deity in the forms of the ten different incarnations of Lord Vishnu, known as ‘Dasaavathaara’. It starts on the day before the beginning of the Navarathri (the nine-day festival of the Goddess beginning on the new moon day in the month of Kanni (October- November), and ends on Vijayadasami day with the deity depicted as Mahavishnu. Devotees offer Nirapara to the Sree Krishna Swami after hoisting of the Holy Flag. Pooja articles, vegetables, Agricultural Yield, sweet fruits etc are generally used for offering Nirapara. More than 751 Nirapara’s are offered at this auspicious ritual. The first Nirapara is offered by the famous artists in Kerala and outside. Srimad Bhagavathasapthaha yanja which has been celebrated at the temple for the last 48 years, starts in the month of Karkidaka and ends on the Thiruvonam star. This is considered to be the first Sapthaha in Southern Kerala. Temple is also famous where the large numbers of marriages take place in South Kerala. The Devaswom has been running an English medium school for the last 36 years. Devotees who have participated in Santhanagopalahavana under the guidance of temple Thanthri for the blessings of children, believe it to be highly effective. It is conducted on all second Thursdays of all Malayalam months. There is complete participation of devotees in Mahaswayamvararchana by temple thanthri to remove the obstacles of marriage. There are innumerable incidents of devotees getting their wedding bliss after participating in this. It is conducted on all second Saturdays of all English months during the year. More devotees visit the temple on Sundays and Thursdays. Pilgrims to Palani, Sabarimala, Mandayakkad etc. alight here for the Holy Darsan and continue their journey. Women devotees take Vratha on Sundays by having only Nivedya rice. Sunday Vratha is taken for eradicating doshas that affect in family. So many devotees take part in the Sarva Aiswarya pooja which is offered on Thiruvonam day, which is the installation day of the temple. Main Nivedya at the temple is palpayasa. Besides this, aravana, unniyappam, jaggery payasam, thrumadhuram, thrikkaivenna, thulsimala, ghee lamp etc are offered to the Swami. Navarathri Sangeetholsavam is important in the temple. During this time Musical worship is performed by famous artists for ten days till Vijayadashami. So many artists reach the Navarathri Mandapam of Guruvayoorappa by registering their names early. Kathakali performance by Kerals’s leading artists will be held on the last day of Mandalam (41 days from the 1st of Vrichikam to the 11th of Dhanu). This has been a regular event for many years now. There is also the performance of ‘Santhaanagopaalam’ Kathakali, which is sponsored as an offering by devotees who have been blessed with a child after praying to the deity here. Devotees also come to the temple for Annaprasanam (giving rice to the baby for the first time), Thulaabhaaram (offering a quantity of a material equal to the weight of the devotee), and Vidyaarambham (initiating a child into formal learning). During Ashtami Rohini, Uriyadi Vazhipad is conducted at the temple. This is a very special ritual. Six boys below the age of 12 are selected by lot for this Uriyadi Vazhipad. Thousands of Uriyadi Vazipad are performed by them for devotees. These boys take special Vrthas for 3 days at the temple premises before performing the same. The elephant of this temple named Nandakumaran, who had been carrying the replica of the Lord during ceremonial processions for the last 46 years, passed away on 12th December, 2012. Efforts are on to buy a new elephant for the temple. Devotees and well-wishers may send their contributions to SB A/c No.19980100008061 of Federal Bank, Padappanal Branch. IFS Code FDRL 0001998. Bank Code: PDP. The administration of the temple is executed by a board of 15 members selected from Mullikkala, Mottaikkal and Palakkal areas. Thousands of devotees reach the temple irrespective of caste and creed in order to seek the blessings of Sree Krishna Swami.