About:

Guruvayur Temple is located in Guruvayur, which is 33kms away from Thrissur district, Kerala.It has one of the greatest Krishna shrines of India.the temple is built in typical Kerala style with gateways, repeated mandapas, sreekovil, subsidiary shrines around a circumbulatory courtyard.The main shrine is adorned with exquisite 17th century paintings portraying stories from the life of Krishna. The gold plated flag post Dwajasthambam stands in front of the Chutambalam. The central hall or Nalambalam is decorated with oil lamps on its walls. Sreekovil or the main shrine is inside the Chutambalam or outer enclosure. The idol of Vishnu is made up of a particular stone called 'patala anjanam'.Ulsavam: This festival is conducted in the month of Kumbha, i.e., in February or March and lasts for 10 days. The hoisting of the temple flag atop the flagstaff (Dwajastambham) about 70 feet high marks the beginning of the festival. On the 1st day, an elephant race is held. The next 6 days, devotees can witness elephant processions in the morning, afternoon and night. In the morning, there is the Sribhuta Bali (offering of oblation at various altar). Besides this there are also various cultural programs. On the 8th day, during 'Utsavabali' (from 10 am to 4 pm) oblations are offered to the Lord's lieutenants. This festival brings along with it immense joy and fervor all around as it falls in the month of March. The spectacular sight of attractively ornamented elephants, splendid illuminations of lofty customary lamps spell bounds every onlooker.

All the festivals of Kerala are celebrated here with great pomp and show. The temple was constructed between 16 and 17 century and is one of the foremost religious sites of Kerala. Very conservative norms are followed inside this temple and only Hindus are allowed admission inside and elaborate rituals are carried out frequently.Guruvayur Arattu festival starts with Kodiyettam (hoisting of the temple flag atop the flagstaff) on the Punartham Nakshatra (Pushya Star). In 2009, Guruvayur Arat Festival is on March 16th 2009 and the festival starts on 6th March 2009.Chembai Sangeetholsavam, GuruvayurThe famous Chembai Sangeetholsavam (carnatic music festival) will be conducted in November. Application form for participating in the music festival is available at the Devaswom office from July . Application form can also be down loaded from the Guruvayoor temple Devaswom webiste www.guruvayurdevaswom.com.The festivals and deities worshipped at Guruvayur temple are Vishu, Ashtami Rohini, Mandalam, Ekadasi, Ashtami Rohini, Kuchela's Day, Chembai music festival and Narayaneeyam day.

Here are the upcoming festivals in Guruvayur Temple on 2009

February 2009

• Mahasivarathri (Maha Shivaratri) – 23rd February 2009

March 2009

• Poonthanam Day – 1st March 2009

• March 6th to March 16th 2009 Annual Guruvayur Arattu Festival

April 2009

• Vishu – 14th April 2009

July 2009

• Karkitaka Vavu – 21st July 2009

September 2009

• Thiruvonam (Thiru Onam) – 2nd September 2009

• Ashtami Rohini – 11th September 2009

• Pooja Vaippu – 26th September 2009

• Mahanavami – 27th September 2009

• Vijayadasami (Vijaya Dasami) - 28th September 2009

October 2009

• Deepavali (Diwali) – 17th October 2009

November 2009

• Krishnageethi Day – 15th November 2009

• Guruvayur Ekadasi – 28th November 2009

December 2009

• Narayaneeyam Day – 13th December 2009

• Kuchela Day – 16th December 2009

• • Kalabhattam – 26th December 2009.

 

Location info:

History:

The idol of Guruvayoor temple was carved out of "Pathalanjana Sila"and is considered extremely sacred. Mahavishnu in Vaikunta once worshiped this idol of Guruvayur. Vishnu handed it over to Brahma.

Story behind this is, has it that King Suthapa and his wife Prisna were childless.They worshipped Brahma devotedly for a child. Brahma then handed over this idol to them advising them to worship it ardently. Lord Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them that he himself will be born to them in three re-births, in thee different forms and in three different situationsSuthapa and Prisna gave birth to Prasnigarbhan , in their next birth, they were re-born as Kashyapa and Adithi, giving birth to Vamana. The third rebirth was as Vasudeva and Devaki. Lord Krishna was born as their eighth son. In the long run, the Lord Krishna himself installed this idol in Dwaraka and worshipped it.

Before leaving the earth to the heavenly abode, Lord Krishna told Udhava, his foremost disciple that he had installed the image of Lord Vishnu in the temple built by him at Dwaraka and that it should be entrusted to Brihaspathi( Guru of Devas) to take it to a sacred place so that people could worship it to attain salvation in the kaliyuga.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Anakkaya:

Anakkayam is roughly 20 kms from Chalakudy on the Sholayar Peringalkuthu route, famous for its lake with cool and placid waters. The place got its name from a herd of elephants which used to visit the place quite often and the legend goes that the place got its name because some elephants had been drowned in this lake. The place is breathtakingly beautiful with its rushing waters, chiseled rocks and silent streams.

Peechi Dam:

Peechi Dam, 23km fromThrissur is an irrigation project site which offers boating facilities at the reservoir. If you are lucky, you might even spot a wild tusker or two on the forested banks, which form part of the 125 sq. km Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chowalloor Shiva Temple:

Renowned as one of the 108 Shivalayas (Abode of Shiva) the Chowalloor Shiva Temple is in the neighborhood of Guruvayur. The temple location is scenic, calm and cool. The premier deity is Shiva with a special Shivalinga installed in the sanctum Sanctorum.

Elephant Camp:

Elephant Camp in the Punnathur Kotta is the largest elephant sanctuary in India. At present it has more than 60 elephants. All these elephants are offered to Guruvayur temple by the devotees of Guruvayurappan. This elephant sanctuary is a specimen example elephant love and preservation.

This elephant camp has produced many renowned elephants like Guruvayur Kesavan and Guruvayur Padmanabhan. The elephants are well treated in this camp. These elephants are used to carry Guruvayur temple idols in the procession known as Shiveli.

Chamundeswari Temple:

Chamundeswari Temple is located in the close proximity of Guruvayur temple. The presiding deity is Sri Chamundeswari, a revered form of Lord Durga.

Devaswom museum:

Devaswom museum is located very close to Guruvayur temple’s east gate. The museum has many collections of antiques, temple materials, mural paintings, musical instruments and other valuable materials. The temple devaswom museum serves as a place to store valuable offerings in the temple.Devaswom museum displays the images and remains of famous religious poets like Melapthur and Poonthanam.

Mobile range info:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Police Station
Ayyanthole Police StationAddress
Thrissur, Thrissur, Kerala
Get Directions
0487 2363608

Police Station
SH 22, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Kerala

Chalakudi Police Station
Chalakudi, Thrissur, Kerala

Nearest Hospital:

Ayurvedamonline.com
Irinjalakuda,, Thrissur,
Kerala 680121- 0480 2833859
Category: ayurveda hospitals.

Punarnava Ayurveda Hospital.
Thrissut, kerala

Useful Links: