Mathilakam Sree Krishna Kshetram is an ancient temple located in Chirakkal, Kannur, 6 km north to Chirakkal Mathilakam temple. This Krishna temple is also known as Udayapureswaram and the presiding deity is Sri Vishnu as Navaneeta Krishna.
Many of us love Sri Krishna songs. But only a few of us know the place, where Cherussery wrote the famous Krishnagadha. Know where this? The answer is the Chirakkal Kizhakkekara Mathilakam Sree Krishna temple in Kannur, Kerala. If you look closely at the Kollavarsham (Malayalam calendar), Cherusseri’s Krishnagatha is 500 years old. But during the last five centuries, nobody has granted enough recognition to the temple where this great work was created, either from the literal world or from the cultural world.
So far there has been debate over the authentication of Cherusseri Namboodiri as the original author of Krishnagadha. Many of these experts and historians regularly quote verses from Krishnagadha to support their views. However, none of them really cared where it was written.
There is a legend behind this great work. It is linked to a chess game played between Kolathiri and Cherusseri. To help her husband, the queen gave the king clues in the form of a lullaby that put her son to sleep. Through the lullaby, the queen hinted to move the pawn, and the king did so to win the match. As soon as the game was over, he asked Cherusseri to write poems praising Krishna at the same rhythm as the queen sang. Krishnagadha was written in the 16th century in recognition of the first Mahakavyam (Brihadkavyam) written in Shudha Malayalam (pure Malayalam).
The Kizhakkekkara Mathilakam temple, which was once controlled by the Udayamangalam dynasty, has become part of the Chirakkal royal family. Today, a large oil painting by Cherusseri Namboodiri is placed in front of the main door. Below the picture, there is also a note that the poet wrote Krishnagadha in this temple. According to archaeological reports, the temple and its Nalambalam are around 1,200 years old.
The Gopuram temple in Mathilakam offers an excellent example of ancient art dating back several centuries. Kiraathaarjuneeyam, Dasavatharam and Sree Krishna Leela are inscribed in the temple works of art. From Krishna’s birth to Balaleela and later, life is drawn as beautiful pictures on the ceiling of the gopuram. Sree Krishna Leela is registered between Kiraathaarjuneeyam and Dasavatharam. The works of art include beautiful elements such as birds, elephants, snakes, horses, etc., in addition to humans. The ceiling is made of teak wood and the stories of Lord Krishna are printed there. The age of the temple goes back to 1200 years.
Mathilakam Sree Krishna Temple Puja Timings:
Temple Opens 6:00 AM
Abhishekam 6:15 AM
Usha Puja 8:00 AM
Temple Closes 10:00 AM
Temple Opens 5:30 PM
Deeparadhana 6:30 PM
Temple Closes 7:30 PM
Mathilakam Sree Krishna Kshetram History:
During those ancient eras of landowners and lower-class people rebelling against them, certain chapters in the history of Kerala are also linked to the Mathilakam temple. Under the direction of A.K. G, once they prevented the landowners from bringing rice to the temple. The strike was successful, and Chirakkal Raja subsequently accepted their demands. Not only did he declare that the rice belongs to the poor and should be reserved for food alms, but he also invited them to the Oottupura temple, where food is prepared for the devotees. Nearly 1200 people can eat at the same time inside the temple.
Currently, the temple is controlled by the council of Malabar Devaswom. Navaneeta Krishna is the presiding deity. Lord Siva in the form of Vaidyanathan also resides here. The Brahmans of Kaattumadath Illam perform rituals and worship, and their rights are passed on to the next generation.
Mathilakam Sree Krishna Kshetram Dress Code:
For Men: Dhoti or Mundu without shirts or banyan.
For Women: Saree with blouse/ Punjabi Dress with Dupatta / Chudidhar with Dupatta/ Half saree.