Guruvayur Temple, Thrissur District, Kerala

Religion is bliss especially if we talk about India. Although India is home to varied cultures and religions Hindutva or Hinduism is one of the most well-known and followed religions among people. temples in India A must-visit for all the religions and travel enthusiasts.

Talking about temples, let’s takes you to a beautiful journey to the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple located in Thrissur district in God’s own country Kerala.

Introduction

Often called Bhuloka Vaikunta (i.e Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth) Guruvayur Temple is devoted to the Hindu God Guruvayurappan, who is the four-armed form of Sree Vishnu holding the Panchajanya, the Sudarshan Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki, and the lotus in each one of his hands. This idol depicts the magnificent avatar of Lord Vishnu which they show to Vasudeva and Devaki at the time of their birth.

That is why the devotees of guruvayurappan consider their Idol as Bal Krishna (Little Krishna). Believed to be around 5,000 years old, with an elevation of 12 m i.e. 39 feet, this temple consists of a lot of murals.

History of The Guruvayur Temple

Legend says that Janamejaya (a Kuru king who reigned during the Middle Vedic Period), perform the sacrifice to eliminate all the snakes around the world, including Takshaka, who was the reason for his father Parikshit’s demise. After brutally killing hundreds and thousands of snakes, the sacrifice was put to an end by Astika, a brahmin, saving Takshaka.

Janamejaya suffered for his sins. He was gripped with leprosy and had lost all hopes in the belief of a cure. Atreya (a sage and the son of Atri) instructed him to bow down in front of Lord Krishna at Guruvayur and accept his sins and told him that he would be forgiven because lord Vishnu will have mercy on him just as he does on his devotees.

After 10 months of worshipping lord Guruvayur, he returned home healthy and happy.

After his return, he took an astrologer and ask him to give false predictions. the astrologer denied by telling him that he survived the snake bite only because he was present inner temple where the emperor of serpents, Anantha was present, who was the brother of lord Guruvayur from where he had just returned home.

After listening to the astrologer the king came to a decision of building a temple at Guruvayur.

The temple was downgraded with time and hit by poverty in the era of Perumals. Because of the immense dedication of the Perumals towards lord Shiva, Guruvayur flourished with time Nevertheless, the temple again began Magnum to the heights of its prosperity after a few years.

Popular Devotees of The Guruvayur Temple

Some of the well-known devotees of the Guruvayur temple are listed below.
1. Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was a Sanskrit scholar known for his Mangnum Opus, Narayaneeyam.
2. Poonthanam Namboothiri
3. Manjula
4. Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar

Some Interesting Facts about The Guruvayur Temple

The Punnathur Kotta (Elephant Yard)

Thissur District has an Anakotta (Elephant Yard) namely The Punnathur Kotta which is home to fifty-six elephants. These elephants are gifted by the true devotees of the temple and this place holds the largest population of captive Asian Elephants (Male) in the world.

There is a strict dress code for people visiting the Guruvayur Temple. No shirts or short dresses can be worn by men and women respectively. Main have to wear Mundu around their wastes with their bare chest and boys are permitted to wear shorts. on the other hand, women have to wear saree and girls have to wear a long skirt and blouse.

VIP Facility at The Guruvayur Temple

There is a facility of “Special Darshan” to the people who offer ‘Neyvilakku‘, which is a 1000 rupees lamp lit with Ghee at Guruvayur Temple starting from Saturdays. After the amount is paid the receipt has to be given to the manager of the temple.

Shopping Areas around The Guruvayur Temple

Guruvayur is not only just a sacred place but it also offers amazing shopping experience to its visitors. Mural paintings, religious books, brassware, and Kerala handicrafts are a specialty of this place and you can shop them from East Nada and West Nada. This place undoubtedly offers you things you wouldn’t find anywhere else on the Earth.

The Magnificence of The Guruvayur Temple

No one can ever deny a trip to this beautiful and holy temple of Lord Guruvayurappan at the heavenly Thissur District of Kerala. Be it any time of the year, any season, Lord Guruvayurappan’s devotees won’t find any excuse worth not to travel to their deity’s home place.

Changaramkulam town located at a distance of 30 to 45 minutes from the Guruvayur town Would be perfect to spend the night at. Reaching the temple only at about 5 p.m. would be better if you want to explore the Thissur district and its marvelous beauty.

The huge gathering of people visiting the temple to catch a glimpse of their beloved deity mind care some people but remember you have the option of a VIP darshan by offering a thousand rupees Nevvilakku Ritual.

The ceremony of bringing the idol of Lord Krishna out in front of their devotees steals the spotlight and the charismatic site of the ceremony accompanied by the priest standing prayers will leave you awestruck for the rest of your life wanting to visit this place again and again.

Also Read: Vrindavan and Mathura: Must 15 Best Places to Visit

Travel to The Guruvyur Temple

By Road

You can travel to Guruvayur by road from Kochi via NH 66, starting from edappally in Kochi and interchanging from Chavakkad. from the Thrissur city, the temple can be visited via SH 49 starting from guruvayoor and ending in SH-69 at Choondal.

The state-owned Kerala State Road transport corporation (KSRTC) buses are used by locals from the city itself to reach the temple. To catch all the North and South Indian trains, Thrissur Railway Station is the best pick as it is the railhead around the Guruvayur area.

By Train

Their R4 passenger trains operated by the southern railway zone of India. First two operating from Guruvayur railway station to Ernakulam Junction and the next two operating from Thrissur Railway Station every day.

By Flight

The nearest airport from Guruvayur is Cochin international airport that is 72 kilometers from guruvayoor.