Guruvayur, the abode of Lord Krishna (Guruvayoorappan, or Guruvayurappan), is about 29 kms from Trichur or Trissur. This is also called as Boolokha Vaikuntham. It is also called as the Dwaraka of the south. According to the legends, the idol at the Guruvayur temple is about 5000 years old but there are not much of evidences to prove it. The name Guruvayur came into existence as there is a legend, which says, that the idol of Guruvayur Krishna is installed by the two Navagrahas, Guru and Vayu. Guru is Brihaspathi, the Guru of Devas, Vayu is the wind God. The idol is considered to be the idol of Little Krishna, even though it is 4 ft tall. The lord holds chakra in the right hand, lower right hand holds the lotus, upper left hand holds Sankha and the lower left hand holds the gada which is placed ont he basement.
The temple have a set of pooja routines formulated by Adi Sankara which was later written down by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri which is followed even today. Guruvayur is one of the most important pilgrimage places in south India. Many newly married couple take vow to bring their kid to Guruvayur and give Thulabaram(any item like Jaggery, Sugar, etc, equivalent to the weight of the kid). This Thuabaram is done not only for kids but for adults too. The first feeding of the baby which is knows as Annaprasanam is done in this temple.
The other sannidhis in this temple are that of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa, Edathadathy Kavil Bhagavathy. The temple Dewasom, have made it mandatory that only Hindus will be allowed inside the temple. Strict dress code is to be followed by the devotees who wish to enter the temple. Men who donot wear Dhotis are not allowed inside the temple and they should not wear shirts too. But they can wear Angavasthram. Girls and women are expected to wear sarees and girls Pavadais. Currently women are allowed to wear Salwar Kameez with Dupatta. (Covering of head like in North Indian temples is not followed in many south Indian temples and so in Kerala too). Also just like in all other temples, footwear is prohibited.
Guruvayur Kesavan:
Gajarajan Guruvayur Keshavan is one elephant which cannot be forgot by many in Kerala. He is celebrated as the Elephant of Kerala. Kesavan born in 1904, was donated to Guruvayur Temple in 1916. The title Gajarajan is conferred upon Keshavan by the Guruvayur Devaswom. As a tribute for the service that he have rendered to the temple from 1916 to 1976, a life size staute with his own tusks was erected in front of the main temple entrance and every year during his death anniversay which falls on Guruvayur Ekadasi, all the elephants (about 60 now in the Punnathurkotta of Guruvayur temple), line up in front of the statue and the chief elephant garlands the statue.
How to reach Guruvayur:
The nearest railway station is at Guruvayur and the Chennai Egmore - Guruvayur express via Tiruchi, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram is the only train that reaches Guruvayur railway station. But there is a regular passenger service from Ernakulam to Guruvayur via Thrissur. The Thrissur railway station is a major railway station and it connects with many major railway stations of Kerala and Tamilnadu.
The Cochin International Airport which is at a distance of 75 kms is the nearest airport. Guruvayur is well connected with all major cities of Kerala and Tamilnadu by regular bus services which are operated by both government and private operators.
Though this temple have lots of fame added to it, though it is a very important place of worship, it is not one of the 108 Divya Desams.
The temple have a set of pooja routines formulated by Adi Sankara which was later written down by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri which is followed even today. Guruvayur is one of the most important pilgrimage places in south India. Many newly married couple take vow to bring their kid to Guruvayur and give Thulabaram(any item like Jaggery, Sugar, etc, equivalent to the weight of the kid). This Thuabaram is done not only for kids but for adults too. The first feeding of the baby which is knows as Annaprasanam is done in this temple.The other sannidhis in this temple are that of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa, Edathadathy Kavil Bhagavathy. The temple Dewasom, have made it mandatory that only Hindus will be allowed inside the temple. Strict dress code is to be followed by the devotees who wish to enter the temple. Men who donot wear Dhotis are not allowed inside the temple and they should not wear shirts too. But they can wear Angavasthram. Girls and women are expected to wear sarees and girls Pavadais. Currently women are allowed to wear Salwar Kameez with Dupatta. (Covering of head like in North Indian temples is not followed in many south Indian temples and so in Kerala too). Also just like in all other temples, footwear is prohibited.
Guruvayur Kesavan:
How to reach Guruvayur:
The nearest railway station is at Guruvayur and the Chennai Egmore - Guruvayur express via Tiruchi, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram is the only train that reaches Guruvayur railway station. But there is a regular passenger service from Ernakulam to Guruvayur via Thrissur. The Thrissur railway station is a major railway station and it connects with many major railway stations of Kerala and Tamilnadu.
The Cochin International Airport which is at a distance of 75 kms is the nearest airport. Guruvayur is well connected with all major cities of Kerala and Tamilnadu by regular bus services which are operated by both government and private operators.
Though this temple have lots of fame added to it, though it is a very important place of worship, it is not one of the 108 Divya Desams.
