Sri Krishna’s deity-worship is an integral part of Bhakti-yoga

A Krishna-bhakta is an eternal servant of Bhagavan Sri Krishna . Any thing associated with Bhagavan is sacred to him .

Once, the great Vaishnava Sage Sri Ramanujacharya was walking through a street . A few small children were playing there using a stone as a “Deity ” of Krishna and doing “archana” by using mud . They offered that mud ( which used for “archana” ) as “prasadam” to Sri Ramanujacharya . The great Acharya bowed down , accepted that “prasadam” and applied it on his forehead . He explained to his surprised disciples that , although these children appear to be playing , they are doing the worship of Sri Krishna with faith and therefore it is a sacred puja .

In a village called Evoor . This is the place where , Bhagavan Sri Krishna in the company of Arjuna had performed the “ Khandava-dahanam “ (burning of Khandava forest) . Upon the successful completion of this task , Agni-deva (Fire-God) was immensely pleased and He installed the Deity of Sri Krishna at the exact spot from where Arjuna fired the arrows to construct “Sarakoodam” (roof of arrows) .


(150) years back there was an accidental fire which destroyed this temple except the “Deity’ . The poor villagers were helpless to do anything further .


Very soon , Lord Krishna appeared in a dream to the then king of Travancore Sri Moolam Thirunal Marthanda Varma Maharaja, and asked him to construct a new temple at Evoor . The king dutifully obeyed this divine instruction and constructed a huge temple complex strictly in accordance with the vedic specifications . This Deity of Sri Krishna is the living God for all of us . If you ask about 'Evoor Bhagavan' to any devotee of that area , he will have at least one mystic experience in own life . (  (a Christian) , once fell down from a running train ; but he was miraculously saved by Sri Krishna Himself who appeared at the spot and held him to safety . Now , he is a loyal Krishna-bhakta ) .


Sri Krishna’s deity-worship is an integral part of Bhakti-yoga . Vedic rituals are necessary to transfer the aura ("Chaithanyam" ) of God to energize the “Murty” and to maintain the Deity's Aura . Such routine and unavoidable temple rituals should not be confused with other “vedic karma-kanda” aspects like the rituals for Forefathers , Demi-gods , etc .

Nama-sankeertana (chanting of Krishna’s names) is the recommended method of Bhakti-yoga in this age . In order to concentrate at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, one needs to have His Deity form . A vedic temple is an abode of Bhagavan Sri Krishna ; and it provides practical Krishna-realisation to the faithful devotees .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !