Guruvayur Temple is referred to as the “Dwarka of the South“. The word Guruvayur can be split into Guru and Vayu, thus giving importance to the fact that the idol of Lord Krishna was installed by Brihaspati, the Guru, and Vayu, the God of Winds.
The presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple is Guruvayurappan (Vishnu, worshipped in the form of his avatar Krishna). The central icon is a four-armed standing Vishnu carrying the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki, and a lotus with a Holy basil garland. This image represents the majestic form of Vishnu as revealed to Krishna.
The idol of the main deity is 4 feet tall and is made of the unique stone named Patala Anjanama stone. The unique stone is believed to possess healing properties. Every day, the water used for Abhishekam (bathing of the idol) is distributed to the devotees for healing purposes.
The temple is well known for providing a healing touch to people suffering from major diseases like Leprosy and Tuberculosis.
ALSO READ: ABOUT DAKORJI TEMPLE
Quick Facts
- Address: Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala 680101
- Timings:⋅ 9:30AM – 3:30 PM
- District: Thrissur
- Festivals: Janmashtami, Kumbham Utsavam, Guruvayur Ekadasi
- Architectural style: Architecture of Kerala
- Deity: Guruvayurappan(Lord Vishnu with four arms at the time of Krishna avatar)
- Function: Hindu Temple
- Best Time to Visit : October to March
DRESS CODE: –
Men are supposed to wear veshti and women are advised to wear sarees while visiting the Guruvayur Temple.
Guruvayur Temple follows the strict dress code for both men and women. Men should wear a traditional costume like a Mundu (similar to a dhoti or a veshti). They should not wear any upper garments like shirts or vests. Women are allowed only wearing sarees, long skirts, and tops or the salwar kameez. Jeans, short skirts or dresses are not allowed inside the temple premises.
History of Guruvayur Temple
According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. In the 14th century Tamil literature ‘Kokasandesam’, references about a place called Kuruvayur is made.
As early as 16th century (50 years after the Narayaneeyam was composed) many references are seen about Kuruvayur. In ancient Dravidic, Kuruvai means sea, hence the village on the coast may be called Kuruvayur.
But according to Prof. K V Krishna Iyer (eminent historian), the Brahmins had begun to come and settle at Kodungalloor during the period of Chandra Gupta Maurya ( 321-297 BC). Trikkunavay in the Guruvayur documents is the same as Thrikkanamathilakam or Mathilakam mentioned in the Dutch and British records.
And this place was in between Guruvayur and Kodungalloor. Guruvayur was Trikkunavay’s subordinate shrine since they were destroyed by the Dutch in 1755. That way Guruvayur must have come into existence before 52 AD.
The story of Pandyan King building a shrine here may be a reference to the Azhavars , but they are all silent in their writing about Guruvayur. It was Melpathur’s Narayaneeyam through which the Temple got publicity.
The concept of Unnikrishna popularised by Poonthanam , Kururamma , and Villwamangalam brought more and more devotees to Guruvayur.
Pooja Timings Guruvayur Temple
Worship proceeds according to routines laid down by Adi Shankara and later written formally in the Tantric way, the inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, by Chennas Narayanan Nambudiri (born in 1427). The Chennas Nambudiris are the hereditary tantris (high priest) of the Guruvayur Temple.
| Time | Pooja |
|---|---|
| 3.00am to 3.30am | Nirmalyam |
| 3.20am to 3.30am | Oilabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam |
| 3.30am to 4.15am | Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram |
| 4.15am to 4.30am | Usha Nivedyam |
| 4.30am to 6.15am | Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja |
| 7.15am to 9.00am | Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja |
| 11.30am to 12.30pm | Ucha pooja (the noon pooja) |
| 4.30pm to 5.00pm | Seeveli |
| 6.00pm to 6.45pm | Deeparadhana |
| 7.30pm to 7.45pm | Athazha pooja Nivedyam |
| 7.45pm to 8.15pm | Athazha pooja |
| 9.00pm to 9.15pm | Thrippuka, Olavayana |
| 8.45pm to 9.00pm | Athazha seeveli |
| 9.15pm | The Sreekovil will be closed. On the day of Special Illuminations called “Vilakku” the Thripuka is performed after that. The Sreekovil will be closed after Thripuka. Then the Krishnanattam, a colourful traditional dance-drama on Lord Krishna’s life is enacted inside the Temple on specified days. |
How To Reach Guruvayur Temple?
BY AIR
The Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Guruvayur. It is located 87 km away. The airport is well connected to major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata.
BY RAIL
Guruvayur railway station is the end destination in the Thrissur-Guruvayur Section. Guruvayur is connected to Ernakulam, Thrissur, Chennai, Kollam, Trivandrum, Madurai and Trichy. Apart from Guruvayur, the nearest railway head is the Thrissur Railway Station at a distance of 28 km. Thrissur is well connected to major parts of the country
BY ROAD
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular buses to Guruvayur from all major cities and towns in Kerala.
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