5000 Years Old Mystery of Guruvayur Temple Kerala

Guruvayur Temple Kerala: A Heavenly Abode on Earth! Hi everyone! Welcome to Guruvayur, a quaint little town in the beautiful state of Kerala, in India. As you step here, you’ll be feeling like you’re in a place right out of a dream! This temple is so popular and so significant that people often refer to it as “Bhuloka Vaikuntha,” or “Heaven on Earth.” Can you think of a place so divine that it’s like heaven? Well, Guruvayur Temple Kerala is just that! It’s a temple for Lord Krishna, who is revered here as Guruvayurappan, a very affectionate name for Him. He’s frequently depicted as a little child, so cute and naughty!

A Glimpse into the Past: Guruvayur Temple History

Now, let us go back in time, way, way back, to find out how this incredible Guruvayur Temple Kerala originated. It is like reading a very, very old fantasy storybook!

Though we don’t have super ancient photos or videos of that period, folks think that this temple is around 5,000 years old! Can you imagine? That’s older than your great-great-great-granddad and granny combined! The temple building that stands here today was largely rebuilt during the 16th century by some influential rulers named the Zamorins of Calicut. But its history of how it started is even ancient and fascinating.

Do you know that the Guruvayur Temple Kerala is referred to in some very ancient books? For instance, in a Tamil book dating back to the 14th century entitled “Kokasandesam,” there is a reference to a location named “Kuruvayur.” This indicates to us that the location was famous even at that time! So, even though we don’t know the exact dates for all of this, we do know that humans have been visiting this magical spot for a very, very long time. It’s witnessed so much history, like a wise old grandparent with a million stories to share.

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The Grand Story: Legend of Guruvayur Temple

My favorite part, because it informs us of the enchanting story of how the principal idol, the stunning Guruvayurappan, arrived here!

According to the legend, at the close of a very prolonged age known as Dvapara Yuga, Lord Krishna’s city, Dwarka, was to be engulfed by the sea. Lord Krishna, just before he left the world, requested his dearest friend, Uddhava, to rescue a very special statue of Lord Vishnu. The statue was extremely valuable because it had been prayed to and worshipped by Lord Vishnu Himself in His heavenly kingdom, Vaikuntha! Then it was given to Lord Brahma, the creator, and further to Lord Krishna’s own father and mother, Vasudeva and Devaki. So, this idol has a really, really special journey!

Uddhava was able to rescue this idol from the floods. Then Lord Krishna instructed a very learned teacher of the gods, named Brihaspati (we usually call him Guru for short), to take this idol to the south of India and plant it in a perfect location, so people would still worship it. Guru set off on his way, and who assisted him? It was Vayu, the Wind God! Vayu showed the way to Guru, and in concert, they floated the idol right up to Kerala.

While they were on the lookout for the ideal place, they encountered another extremely powerful god, Lord Parasurama, who took them to a stunning, green place with a gorgeous lotus pool. And lo! Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were already there, dancing! They invited Guru and Vayu in, and Lord Shiva informed them that this was the most holy place to place the idol.

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So, Guru and Vayu, in tandem, established the idol here. And thus this location came to be known as: Guru + Vayu + Oor (the word for “place” in Malayalam) = Guruvayur! And the idol here is named Guruvayurappan, which means “Lord of Guruvayur.” Isn’t that a great legend? It really does feel like a place ordained by the gods themselves!

You see, this tale is so significant that it even appears in ancient Hindu scriptures.

“King Janamejaya, according to the Narada Purana, was healed of leprosy by seeking refuge at Guruvayoorappan’s feet. Janamejaya, having taken part in a sacrificial ritual that caused the death of a multitude of snakes, was afflicted with leprosy through the curse of the snakes. Seeking the help of Sage Atreya, he was told to seek refuge in Lord Krishna at Guruvayoor.”

Also, “The Srimad Bhagavatam states that Lord Shiva earlier worshipped Lord Vishnu below the waters of the ‘Rudra Teertham,’ a holy pond adjacent to the temple, and imparted the ‘Rudra Geetha’ to the Prachethas.” This informs us that the ground this Guruvayur Temple Kerala stands on is extremely holy!

Why This Place is So Special: Significance of Guruvayur Temple

The Guruvayur Temple Kerala is not an ordinary temple; it’s where millions of individuals visit in order to feel close to Lord Krishna and receive His blessings. It’s among the most significant sites of worship for Hindus around the globe. Individuals believe that if you pray here with a true heart, your desires can be fulfilled.

One of the most popular items of offering here is Thulabharam. Think, folks offer items like bananas, sugar, jaggery, or coconuts, which are equal to their own weight! It’s a means of expressing how much they adore and have faith in Guruvayurappan. It is a lovely scene to witness.

Many families also come here for special ceremonies, like Annaprasanam, which is when a baby is given their first solid food. It’s a way of asking for blessings for the child’s health and happiness. And guess what? Many, many weddings also happen here every year! It’s considered very auspicious to start your new life together under the watchful eyes of Guruvayurappan. The air here is always filled with prayers, devotion, and a sense of calm.

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A Glimpse of Its Splendor: Guruvayur Temple Architecture

And now, let’s discuss the temple itself, as it is really a masterpiece! The Guruvayur Temple Kerala temple is constructed in a very unique style referred to as traditional Kerala temple architecture. It features stunning wooden carvings and ornate sculptures.

The first thing you notice as you step in is a very tall, golden flagpole known as the Dwajasthambam. It’s really, really tall, around 33.5 meters! And then there is the Deepastambham, a lamp pillar, which is really divine-looking when all the lamps are aglow in the night. It resembles a giant Christmas tree, but filled with twinkling lights!

The inner sanctum of the temple, where Guruvayurappan lives, is known as the Sreekovil. It’s surrounded by a round walkway known as the Pradakshina Patha, where people walk around, praying. The walls of the Sreekovil are adorned with very old paintings, known as murals, that depict stories about Lord Krishna. It’s like a giant comic book on the walls! You’ll also notice a building known as the Nalambalam, which is the inner courtyard that surrounds the sanctum. And there’s a sacrificial stone known as Balikkal. Each aspect of the temple is special and steeped in history, constructed with such love and dedication.

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Whispers of the Past: Myths and Beliefs at Guruvayur Temple

Apart from the main myths, there are a number of lovely stories and beliefs that people cherish dearly at Guruvayur Temple Kerala. These stories make the temple even more vibrant and enchanting.

One such endearing story is of a young priest called Nenmini Unni. He was responsible for presenting food to the deity. When he presented the nivedyam (food offering), the idol didn’t appear to “eat” it. Little Unni, being innocent and dedicated as he was, began to weep because he believed Guruvayurappan wasn’t pleased. And guess what? The deity performed a miracle and consumed the meal! This tale indicates the immense love and dedication Guruvayurappan possesses for his devotees, particularly innocent ones.

Another firm belief is that a tour of Guruvayur Temple Kerala is incomplete without visiting the Mammiyur Shiva Temple as well, situated nearby. It is believed that after Guru and Vayu placed the idol of Guruvayurappan, Lord Shiva and Parvati shifted to the other side of the lake. Therefore, to receive full blessings, people ensure they visit both temples.

And of course, Guruvayur is well known for elephants! The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, very near by, is home to a number of elephants that have been donated to Lord Guruvayurappan by people. These magnificent animals are a lovely element of the temple custom and festivities. It’s well worth seeing, in fact, to observe these gentle giants being looked after and respected.

When to Visit: Guruvayur Temple Timings

If you are going to visit Guruvayur Temple Kerala, it’s nice to know during which time the temple is open, just like you know the opening time of your favorite toy store!

The Guruvayur Temple is open extremely early in the morning, which is a sacred time for prayer.

Morning Darshan: Generally from 3:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Afternoon/Evening Darshan: Generally from 4:30 PM to 9:15 PM.

Please note that these timings do fluctuate sometimes, more so on special festivals or specific days. The temple has a very rigid timetable of poojas and rituals throughout the day, beginning with the Nirmalya Darshanam at morning (sight of the deity after morning toilette) and concluding with Ekanta Seva prior to closing.

Please feel free to visit official website for more details about online booking etc.

Additionally, keep in mind a couple of things while visiting:

Only Hindus are permitted within the main temple complex.
There’s a special dress code: Men typically wear a dhoti (a cloth wrapped around the waist) and no shirt within the inner sanctum. Women typically wear a saree or salwar kameez. It’s a matter of respect for the sacred site.
Occasionally, particularly when festivals are on, it gets extremely crowded, and you may be delayed seeing Guruvayurappan. But it’s worth waiting!

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Additional Adventures: Where to Go Around Guruvayur Temple

Your Guruvayur visit does not need to finish at the temple! There are a few other places worth visiting around it.

Mammiyur Sri Mahadeva Temple (Guruvayur):

Why go here? The temple is literally a stone’s throw from Guruvayur Temple (around 1 km). As discussed in our Guruvayur trip, it’s said that a Guruvayur pilgrimage is not complete without a visit to Mammiyur. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are the deities here. It’s a peaceful spot with lovely mural paintings. It goes perfectly with your Guruvayur visit.

Vadakkunnathan Temple (Thrissur):

Why go here? Situated in the “cultural capital of Kerala,” Thrissur, this ancient Lord Shiva temple is a work of art of traditional Kerala architecture. It’s said to be one of the first temples constructed personally by Lord Parasurama himself! The temple compound is enormous, with beautiful mural paintings within them illustrating scenes from the Mahabharata. It’s also the central stage for the world-famous Thrissur Pooram, one of the most spectacular temple festivals of Kerala. It is about 28 km from Guruvayur.

Triprayar Sree Rama Temple (Thrissur):

Why go? Temple dedicated to Lord Rama, located about 25 km from Guruvayur. It is one of the popular “Nalambalam Yatra” (pilgrimage to four temples), in which believers visit four temples dedicated to Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana, and Shatrughna on a single day in the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam. The idol here is said to have been worshipped by Lord Krishna at Dwarka.

Koodalmanikyam Temple (Irinjalakuda, Thrissur District):

Why go there? This is a special temple since it’s the only one in India that’s dedicated to Lord Bharata, who was the brother of Lord Rama. It’s famous for its beautiful architecture and the peaceful vibes. It’s also on the Nalambalam Yatra. It’s situated around 20-25 km from Guruvayur.

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Your Journey Here: How to Reach the Temple

It’s very easy to reach Guruvayur Temple Kerala, like reaching a friend’s place!

By Air: The closest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), and it is 80 kilometers away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Guruvayur easily. Calicut Airport (CCJ), at a distance of 100 kilometers, can also be used.

By Train: Guruvayur has its own train station, which is extremely convenient! It’s a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride from the temple. This station is part of the main railway line in Thrissur, and you can very easily come to Guruvayur by train from most major cities.

By Road: Guruvayur is well connected by roads. Several buses, including government-operated KSRTC buses and private buses, ply from various parts of Kerala and even from adjacent states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Guruvayur. You may even hire a taxi or drive your own vehicle. The roads are mostly good, and the ride is pleasant.

Thus, whichever way you travel, be it by air, rail, or road, getting to this heavenly Guruvayur Temple Kerala is a hassle-free experience!