Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur is the most sacred and one of the important pilgrim centers of India, Kerala. It is the fourth biggest temple in India in terms of number of visitors per day. The Guruvayur temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Though the idol at the Temple is of Lord Maha Vishnu with four arms, and other symbolic representations , the devotees worship him as, Lord Krishna, the most popular human incarnation of the second trinity. The idol is carved out of the sacred 'Pathalanjana Sila'.(A sacred Black Stone) There are a lot of traditional mural paintings on all the three walls of the shrine. The doors of the Sanctum Sanctorum is secured with gold plated bars and decorated with 101 golden bells. The steps leading to the Sreekovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) are made of stones with beautiful carvings and designs. The outer enclosure has a 33.5 meter tall gold plated flag post. There is also a 7m high pillar of lamps with thirteen circular receptacles. Within the temple there are also the images of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Bhagavathy. , other popular deities of the Hindu system.
This rectangular temple, which is a testimony of medieval Kerala Architecture is popularly known as Dwaraka of the south. Guruvayur is the perhaps one of the temple in the country that hosts and witness maximum number of Hindu marriages since it is considered as auspicious getting married at this shrine for healthy, long and happy married life.. It can also boast of maximum number of 'infant rice feeding ceremony', the traditional custom of feeding the first solid meal for the infants. It is believed that the idol was once worshiped by Lord Krishna himself. Guruvayur is considered as " Bhooloka Vaikunta "( Earthly abode of the Lord) - the heaven on earth.
In the temple an elaborate protocol for worship is followed in the strictest sense. The entry to the temple is restricted based on faith and there are strict restrictions for clothing. Only traditional modest Ethnic dress is allowed inside the temple.
Legend
Brahaspathi {The preceptor of Devas (means semi Gods)} along with Vayu Deva (The symbolic God of Air), lead by parasurama, found an ideal place, to install the Idol, found flowing in the Arabian sea, once worshiped by Lord Mahavishnu. Parasurama named the place Guruvayur. The place selected for installation is sacred by the presence of Lord Siva, for whom another temple is made in the vicinity of this great spiritual place..
Anayottam (Race of Elephants)
The elephants which are caparisoned to carry the idol of Lord for the festivals of Guruvayur used to be sent by Zamorin the then king Of Calicut, the place landed by the first European ever , Vascodegama the Portuguese sailor and warrior.. Once the King refused to send the elephants. But the elephants came running from the palace of the King to Guruvayur without the mahouts and reached in time. To keep the reminiscence of this event, the elephant race (Anayottam) is conducted every year.
Festivals
The Main festival of the temple of Guruvayur lasts for ten days in the months of February/March. It ends with the 'aarattu'( The holy bath of Lord) on the tenth day. It consists of various processions, illuminations and modest fireworks. Mandala Pooja(41 days of worship) begins on the first day of Malayalam month Vrischikam (November). Thiruvonam, Ashtami Rohini and Niraputhari (August-September)are other important festivals. Guruvayur Ekadasi (November/December) is another important festival of the temple.
Location
Guruvayur is located 29 kms north west to Thrissur the cultural capital of Kerala. The National highway is passing through Kunnamkulam which is just 8 kms away from Guruvayur.
Nearest railway station:- Kuttippram/ Pattambi /Thrissur
Nearest Air ports:- Kochi international airport (Nedumbassery) 80 kms- Calicut airport - 100 kms