Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is a very famous Lord Krishna temple situated at Neyyattinkara (on the banks of river Neyyar), on the way to Kanyakumari, 20 km south of Thiruvananthapuram city, in Kerala. One of the important temples of Lord Krishna, the temple is also of great historic importance as well. The temple enshrines Krishna as Vennakannan (on who holds butter in both hands) as the presiding deity. Hence, Thrikayil Venna (butter on hand) is a unique offering to Neyyattinkara Srikrishna – the deity of the temple.
Neyyattinkara Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, situated in a vast land with lots of greenery, is regarded as the Guruvayur of Trivandrum. The temple is built in traditional Kerala architecture and is decorated with beautiful artistic sculptures. The main gopuram (gateway) of the temple displays a beautiful scene from Bhagavad Gita, the divine 'Gitopadesh' - Lord Krishna teaching Arjuna. Lord Ganapati, Lord Ayyappa and Lord Nagaraja are other gods worshipped in sub-shrines here.
Neyyattinkara Shri Krishnaswamy Temple was built in 1755, by Marthanda Varma, the Maharaja of the Indian princely state of Travancore. One of the major attractions of the temple is the Ammachi Plavu (an old jackfruit tree) – history has it that Marthandavarma Maharaja once used the huge hole of Ammachiplavu as a hideout to escape from his enemies. It is said that a boy helped the prince by leading him near to the old Jack fruit tree and later on devaprasnam astrologers said it was none other than Lord Krishna himself. Neyyattinkara Railway Station, on the Thiruvananthapuram - Kanyakumari railway line, is just a kilometre from the temple.
Vishu, Ashtami Rohini (Sree Krishna Jayanti), Navaratri, Onam, and Mandala Pooja are some of the major festivals celebrated at the temple. The 10 days annual temple festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March – April).
