Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor,
where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred
and important pilgrim centres of kerala.
The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings
and carvings.
In Kerala, this is probably the only temple that hosts the maximum number of
marriages and rice feeding ceremonies (the ritual first meal for infants).
It was also the hub of the 'Guruvayoor Sathyagraha' , a historic movement demanding
temple entry rights for the 'so called' lower castes.
The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local belief, the temple
was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of winds'.
The eastern 'nada' is the main entrance to the shrine.
In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham'
(flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), whose
thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brillant spectacle, when lit.
The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing
the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree
Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the
temple.
Punnathoorkotta, which is at a distance of 2 kms from Guruvayoor is home of
50 temple elephants, offers unusual spectacles of the gentle pachyderm.
Timings
The temple is open 03:00 am to 01:00 pm & 04:30pm to 08:30 pm.
Temples in Kerala
Ambalapuzha
Temple || Chottanikkara
Temple || Thali
Temple || Kalpathy
Temple || Guruvayoor
Temple || Oachira
Temple || Mangla
Devi Temple || Thirunavaya
Temple || Thiruvalla
Temple || Vaikom
Temple
