Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur

Guruvayur, Kerala

Guruvayur Temple in Guruvayur is a revered and time-honoured place of worship that continues to inspire deep devotion among countless devotees. Surrounded by a serene atmosphere and enriched with cultural charm, the temple stands as a symbol of faith, tradition, and community bonding. Its sacred premises have witnessed generations of prayers, festivals, and rituals that reflect the spiritual heartbeat of the region. Visitors are often drawn not only by the temple’s divine presence but also by its beautiful surroundings, intricate craftsmanship, and the sense of peace it offers. Whether you are a pilgrim seeking blessings or a traveller exploring heritage sites, Guruvayur Temple remains an unmissable spiritual landmark that speaks of the region’s enduring cultural and religious legacy. As part of the broader heritage of Famous temples in Kerala, it continues to attract devotees and travellers alike.

Guruvayur Temple History and Significance

The Guruvayur Temple, located in Guruvayur, Kerala, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Krishna. The temple's history dates back to the 14th century, with records from the 17th century. It became a popular pilgrimage site by the end of the 16th century.

In the 18th century, the temple faced invasions and looting by the Dutch and Hyder Ali of Mysore. Despite these challenges, the temple was preserved and continued to attract devotees. In the 20th century, a massive fire broke out, but the temple was restored and continues to be a significant religious site.

Guruvayur Temple Opening Time
Guruvayur Temple Information Facilities and Accommodation
Guruvayur Temple Transportation and Accessibility
Guruvayur Temple Interesting Facts
Guruvayur Temple Nearby Temples
Other Krishna Temples
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Guruvayur Temple Opening Time

Day	Timings
Monday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Tuesday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Wednesday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Thursday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Friday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Saturday	3:00 a.m. – Open
Sunday	3:00 a.m. – Open

Guruvayur Temple Location Details

Guruvayur Temple is located in Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala. The temple is well connected by road, rail, and air, making it easily accessible for devotees and tourists. Below are the location details.

Address

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple, Guruvayoor, Trissur district, Kerala.

+91-487-255 6335, 255 6799, 255 6347, 255 6365

How to Reach Guruvayur Temple

By Road:

Guruvayur is well-connected by road to major towns in Kerala. State Transport Buses and private taxis operate regularly from cities like Kochi, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.

By Train:

By Air:

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (approximately 80 km away). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Guruvayur via Thrissur.

Guruvayur Temple Nearby Temples

Best time to visit (season/months):

October to March is the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and ideal for temple visits. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rainfall that may disrupt travel plans.

Other Krishna Temples

Guruvayur Temple Information Facilities and Accommodation

Temple Speciality

Prayers:

Parents pray here for healthy food for their children, long happy wedded life and for cure from leprosy.

Temples Speciality:

The idol of the presiding deity Unnikrishnan in the temple is not one made of stone or a metal but of a mixture called Padala Anjanam.

Historical Information

Old year:

1000-2000 years old

Festival

Festival:

Chithirai Vishu-Tamil New Year Day falling almost on April 14 and Vrichika Ekadasi are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Temple info

General Information :

Lord Unni Krishnan-Kannan blesses devotees as a Child who showed from His mouth to His Mother Yasodha the whole world with all its land, mountains, rivers, forests and all beings. It is believed that those tying their wedding knots in this holy temple will have a long happy married life. Wedding ceremonies are common daily in the temple.

Greatness of Temple:

Parents do the first rice feeding (Choru Oottal in Tamil and Malayalam) to their children, a ritual called Anna prasanam in this temple on April 14 each year being the Chithirai Vishu-Tamil New year day. It is their staunch faith that Lord would take care of the child with nutritious food for ever. The temple celebrates many Vaishnava festivals among which the Vrichika Ekadasi is very important. The festival begins 18 days earlier. The temple has 52 elephants. They only open temple doors. As an elephant carries Lord during festivals, a running race is conducted among them and the winner elephant would thus become eligible to carry the Lord during festivals. The temple will be opened at 3.00 a.m. and the first puja is offered to Lord Krishna without removing the garlands etc. used in the previous day. This is known as Nirmalya Puja. Abishek follows then. Many visit the temple on Chithirai 1st – April 14 for the darshan when the Melshanthi (chief priest) offers Kai Neettam – offering a coin to the devotees considered a gift direct from Lord. Handful of coins are offered to Kerala politicians that day. This means that with the blessings of Lord Guruvayurappan-Lord Krishna, there won’t be money shortage for the devotee throughout the year.

Legends Beliefs

Legends and BeliefsAccording to legend, King Janamejaya conducted a sacrifice to destroy all snakes, but was stopped by a Brahmin named Astika. Afflicted with leprosy, Janamejaya was advised by Sage Atreya to worship Krishna at Guruvayur. After ten months of worship, he was cured.The king then decided to build a temple at Guruvayur. Over time, the temple faced poverty but was revived through the blessings of a holy man. The Shiva temple at Mammiyur declined, while the Guruvayur temple flourished.
Deities and Sub Deities

Deities and Sub-DeitiesThe main deity of the Guruvayur Temple is Guruvayurappan, a form of Vishnu with four arms. The temple also houses sub-deities like Ganapathi, Ayyappan, and Bhagavathi. There are sub-temples for Ganapati and Nagadevathas (snake deities) nearby.
Offerings

OfferingsDevotees offer various items to the deity, including flowers, fruits, and traditional sweets. Special offerings are made during festivals and important religious occasions. The temple also receives donations in the form of elephants, which are housed in the nearby Punnathur Kotta.
Architecture

ArchitectureThe Guruvayur Temple is an example of Kerala architecture. It features a chuttambalam (outer structure), vilakkumatam (lamp post), and koottambalam (assembly hall). The temple is adorned with murals and inscriptions, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
Festivals

FestivalsThe temple celebrates several major festivals, including Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday), Kumbham Utsavam, and Guruvayur Ekadasi. These festivals attract thousands of devotees who participate in various rituals and ceremonies.Other important festivals include Vishu, celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, and the 10-day festival in the month of Kumbham, starting with flag hoisting on Pooyam star.
Religious Practices

Religious PracticesWorship at the Guruvayur Temple follows routines laid down by Adi Shankara and later formalized in the Tantric way by Chennas Ravinarayanan Nambudiri. The temple has a strict dress code for devotees, requiring men to wear mundu and women to wear sarees or long skirts.Non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the temple. The temple also has a tradition of housing elephants donated by devotees, which are considered living forms of Lord Guruvayurappa.

FAQ's

Where is the Guruvayur Temple located?

The Guruvayur Temple is located in Guruvayur, Kerala, India. Specifically, it is situated in the Thrissur district.

Which God is Unni Krishnan?

Unni Krishnan is a major Hindu deity.

What is the best time to visit Guruvayur Temple?

October to March is the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and ideal for temple visits. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rainfall that may disrupt travel plans.

Why is Guruvayur Temple famous among tourists and devotees?

Parents pray here for healthy food for their children, long happy wedded life and for cure from leprosy.

How to reach Guruvayur Temple from near City or Town?

Nearest railway stations: Guruvayur Railway Station (just 1 km from the temple) and Thrissur Railway Station (approximately 28 km away). From these stations, buses or taxis are available to Guruvayur. Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport (approximately 80 km away). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Guruvayur via Thrissur.