Sri Guruvayurappan Temple

Introduction

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple at Guruvayur, in Thrissur district, Kerala, is one of the most important Krishna temples in India and the most famous temple in Kerala. Devotees lovingly call it Bhuloka Vaikuntham – "Vaikuntha on earth" – and the Dwaraka of the South. Lakhs of pilgrims come every year for darshan of the Lord, who is affectionately known as Guruvayurappan or simply Kannan. The temple is administered by the Guruvayur Devaswom.

Dress Code and Entry Rules

The temple follows a strict traditional dress code, and visitors who are not dressed correctly will not be allowed inside. Please plan your clothing before you go:

• Men: must wear a mundu (dhoti) and enter without a shirt or vest. An angavastram (a cloth over the shoulders) may be worn. Trousers, jeans, shorts, lungis and T-shirts are not permitted.
• Women: must wear traditional Indian dress – a saree, set-mundu, churidar / salwar kameez, or a long skirt with a blouse. Jeans, short skirts, sleeveless tops and other western wear are not permitted.
• Children: girls may wear a pavada (long skirt), churidar or a long traditional frock.
• Entry: entry into the temple is permitted only for Hindus. Visitors of other faiths may see the temple surroundings from outside.
• Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside; deposit counters are available near the entrance.

Mundus and other traditional clothes can easily be bought or rented in the shops around the temple.

Main Deity

The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu in his four-armed form, holding the conch, discus, mace and lotus, and worshipped as Bala Krishna – Krishna as a child. The idol is made of a rare sacred black stone (patala anjanam). Devotees believe the Lord here showers the tender love of the child Krishna on all who come to him.

Sthala Puranam (Legend)

According to tradition, this idol was worshipped by Lord Vishnu himself and was later worshipped by Vasudeva and by Krishna in Dwaraka. When Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea at the end of Krishna's time on earth, Krishna entrusted the idol to Brihaspati, the guru of the gods, and Vayu, the god of wind. Searching for a sacred place to install it, they came to this spot in Kerala, where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati welcomed them. The idol was installed here, and the place was named Guru-Vayu-ur – Guruvayur – after them. The nearby Mammiyur Mahadeva temple is associated with Lord Shiva's part in this story.

Devotional Heritage

Guruvayur is closely linked with great devotees and works of devotion. The Sanskrit hymn Narayaneeyam was composed here by Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, and the devotional poetry of Poonthanam in Malayalam also sings of Guruvayurappan. The temple is also known for its classical arts traditions, including the dance-drama Krishnanattam.

Rituals and Offerings

• Thulabharam: devotees offer the Lord a quantity of bananas, sugar, jaggery, coconuts or other items equal to their own weight, in fulfilment of vows.
• Choroonu: the first rice-feeding ceremony of babies is one of the most popular rituals at Guruvayur.
• Weddings: a very large number of marriages take place at the temple, in front of the Lord.
• Elephants: the temple's elephants are cared for at Punnathur Kotta, a short distance away, and take part in the temple's ceremonies.

Architecture

The temple is built in the traditional Kerala style, with a square sanctum (srikovil), sloping copper-clad roofs, wooden carvings and a tall gold-covered flagstaff (dhwajasthambham). A large tank, Rudratheertham, lies beside the temple, and the lamp-lined walls (vilakkumadam) glow beautifully when the lamps are lit in the evening.

Festivals

• Guruvayur Utsavam (Kumbham, February–March): the grand ten-day annual festival, which begins with the famous Aanayottam (elephant race).
• Guruvayur Ekadasi (Vrischikam, November–December): one of the most sacred days of the year, with a month of celebrations leading up to it.
• Ashtami Rohini (August–September): the birthday of Lord Krishna, celebrated with great devotion.
• Vishu (April): the Kerala New Year, when devotees come for the auspicious Vishukkani darshan.

Temple Timings

• The temple opens very early in the morning and stays open until night, with a break in the afternoon.
• Timings and darshan arrangements change on festival days. Please check the official Guruvayur Devaswom website before your visit.

How to Reach

By Train: Guruvayur railway station is close to the temple; Thrissur Junction, about 28 km away, has many more trains.

By Road: Guruvayur is about 28 km from Thrissur. KSRTC and private buses connect Guruvayur with Thrissur, Kochi and other towns in Kerala.

By Air: the nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), about 80 km away.

Visitor Information

• Dress code: please follow the dress code above – it is strictly enforced.
• Crowds: weekends, holidays, auspicious wedding days and festival days are very crowded; early mornings are best.
• Best time to visit: October to March, when the weather is pleasant.
• Nearby places: Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, Parthasarathy Temple, Chavakkad beach, and the temples of Thrissur.