Significance of Ammachi Plavu situated in Sree Krishna Temple Neyyattinkara

The remains of Ammachi Plavu, a huge jackfruit tree is preserved inside the temple premises of the famous Sree Krishna Temple Neyyattinkara, which is regarded as ‘Guruvayur of Thiruvananthapuram District’. Ammachi Plavu – literally means ‘Grandmother Jackfruit Tree’. Ammachi means – very old woman, and plavu means – jackfruit tree. Ammachi Plavu is deeply linked to the history of Travancore kings, and is a spot of attraction of tourists as well, for its heritage and cultural value. Do you know why?

History behind Ammachi Plavu of Neyyattinkara 

 Mid 1700s – a period when tensions existed between rulers of Travancore and Ettuveettu Pillamaar. Princely state Travancore was then ruled by the most influential king – Anizhamthirunal Marthanda Varma. He was a prince then when ruler of Travancore, Ramavarma took strong actions against “Ettuveettil Pillamar”. Ettuveettil Pillamar turned his enemies and decided to destroy Marthanda Varma and royal family members. Marthanda Varma frequently received life threats from his enemies, and he was forced to live in exile for many years, travelling from one place to another.

Once Prince Marthanda Varma was travelling from Padmanabhapuram Palace to Thiruvananthapuram. Ettuveettil Pillamar got this piece of information and they followed him. Marthanda Varma got informed about it, and he changed his path to Thiruvananthapuram. He took Maharajamuttom route, and short cuts to reach the banks of Neyyar at Neyyattinkara. He reached Palakkadavu (on the banks of Neyyar) where the place was fully blossomed by white Pala flowers. The river was overflowing and he took the help of a boat to cross the river, and hid behind a bush. But by that time, his enemies had almost reached him. He tried to escape through thorny bushes and felt that the hidden place is not safe. He prayed to Lord Padmanabha to help him.

He heard a response from someone in the bush. He saw a shepherd boy looking after his cattle, and got surprised to see him in that lonely place. He asked the boy to suggest a way to escape, and the boy asked him to hide inside the huge hole of a big jackfruit tree near to him. Thus Marthanda Varma escaped from the enemies. Folklore also tells that the boy diverted the direction of Ettuveettil Pillamar to rescue the king. When enemies got out of the place, king came out of the hole.

He called the boy, and could hear him respond. Though King searched the boy later, he couldn’t find him. Instead he found a stone only. He prayed before it and left the place. King believed that boy who helped him to escape was none other than Lord Krishna himself, who disguised as a shepherd. In fact Krishna during his childhood days used to look after cattle. There is a popular belief that an astrologer too told him the same. So, as a mark of gratitude to Lord Krishna who saved his life, Marthanda Varma built a Krishna temple with ‘Unni Kannan’ (childhood Krishna) as its presiding deity. Once he returned to power, he also visited the place and honoured the jackfruit tree covering it with silk cloth. Since then, many believed that Ammachi Plavu owns some divine power.

The huge jackfruit tree was also preserved, and over the years Krishna temple turned to be a famous pilgrim place of south Kerala. Now Neyyattinkara Krishna Temple is one of the famous Krishna temples of Kerala, nicknamed as ‘Guruvayur of Thiruvananthapuram District ‘. In the past 10 years, the rush in the temple has multiplied many folds, and a lot of renovations are still going on. Ammachi Plavu, synchronous to this famous Krishna temple and its story have only glorified Unni Kannan over the years, and has played a significant role in increasing the popularity of the temple over the years.

Construction of Sree Krishna temple

The temple was built by Marthanda Varma in the year 1755 in traditional Kerala architecture. The temple was built exactly at the place where King saw the boy. The idol was installed on Anizham star day (birth star of King Marthanda Varma). This day is annually celebrated as ‘Prathishta Dinam’.

As the jackfruit tree saved him like a mother (Amma), the tree achieved the name – Ammachi Plavu and entered the history books of Kerala state. Marthanda Varma later became the most powerful ruler of Travancore state, who himself was an ardent follower of Lord Padmanabha. He ruled Travancore during the period, 1705 – 7 July 1758, till his death. Thus Neyyattinkara Krishna temple was built just three years before the death of this great ruler of Kerala.

After the reign of Marthanda Varma, a custom has been followed by every king of Travancore (Thiruvithankoor – in Malayalam language). Just before the king takes the power of princely state of Travancore, he used to visit Neyyattinkara Krishna temple to seek blessings of Unni kannan and Ammachi Plavu. Then only the royal ceremony takes place. 

As per records, till year 1957 Ammachi Plavu blossomed and gave jackfruits also. That means the jackfruit tree was alive for more than a century after it witnessed and became a part of historic events which led to the construction of the famous Krishna temple. But slowly it started degenerating, and the remains were later preserved by Archeology department of Kerala and Travancore Devaswom Board. A roof was also built to preserve the remains of Ammachi Plavu.