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Guruvayur
Temple
Guruvayur is most famous for its temple[1], which is many centuries old and one of the most important in Kerala. The temple's deity is Lord Guruvayurappan in the form of Balagopalan (Krishna in the form of a child). While non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple, Lord Guruvayurappan has strong believers from many religions.
Krishnanattam Kali, a noted classical performing art that was instrumental in the initial development of the world-famous dance-drama Kathakali, has a good base in Guruvayur as the temple administration (Guruvayur Devaswom) runs a Krishnattam institute. In addition, Guruvayur temple is famous for two renowned classical literary works: Narayaneeyam by Melpathoor Narayana Bhattathiri and Jnanappana by Poonthanam, both (late) authors being ardent devotees of Guruvayurappan. While Narayaneeyam is a brisk walk through of the Dasaavatharam (10 incarnations of Maha Vishnu) in Sanskrit, Jnanappana is in native Malayalam, observing the naked truths of life and preaching the do's and dont's.
Guruvayur is a major venue for the south Indian classical Carnatic music, especially during its auspicious ekadasi day held in the memory of legendary vocalist Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, another ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan. The temple also holds the annual festival (ulsavam) in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) during which it hosts classical arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thayambaka and Panchari Melam. The place has given birth many noted percussionists of ethnic instruments like chenda, maddalam, timila, ilathalam and idakka.
The temple is being run by the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee under the directions of Government of Kerala. The temporary members of committee are "nominated" by the ruling party of the state government from time to time. The permanent members are the current heads of the families of Chennas Mana (the heridatory Thantri of the temple), Samuthiri and Mallisseri Mana.
At the time of Tippu sulthan's invasion the holy idol of Sri Guruvayoorappan shifted to Ambalappuzha temple and then shifted to Mavelikkara sri Krishnaswamy Temple.
[edit] Legend
The most prominent legend regarding the temple's statuette ('murthi' is preferred) relates to Guru Brihaspathi and Vayu, the Wind God.
At the start of the current yuga, Brihaspathi found a floating statuette of Lord Krishna. He and Vayu installed the statuette in this temple to help mankind in this yuga. This legend forms the basis for the names of both the statuette (Guruvayurappan) and the town.[2]
It is believed that this idol which is now in Guruvayur was used by Lord Krishna in Dwapara Yuga.
Guruvayur Temple Entrance
[edit] Other Attractions
Another attraction is the famous elephant sanctuary (Punnathur kotta) near the temple where jumbo elephants are trained for temple purposes. The sanctuary currently has more than 60 elephants, all of whom were offered by devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan. One of the leading elephant names associated with the temple is that of Guruvayur Kesavan which was a legendary elephant. It has found a place in the temple's folklore.
Elephant Sanctuary at Punnathur kotta, GuruvayurThe temple is a major venue for Hindu marriages in Kerala. A record number of marriages take place each day at the temple—sometimes crossing 100 in a single day. Devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan think it is highly auspicious to start married life in front of the lord.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has recently started a center and guest house for pilgrims to the town. The place has several hotels, lodges, restaurants and marriage halls and is a booming upmarket centre.
[edit] Transport
Buses operate every few minutes from Thrissur Shaktan Thampuran Bus Stand. Buses also operate from Ernakulam, North Paravur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Pamba/Sabarimala, Palakkad, Mavelikkara, Kozhikode, Kodungallur and Thiruvananthapuram. Passenger trains operate from the Guruvayur station to Thrissur and Kochi, as well as an overnight express train to Thiruvananthapuram and further to Chennai. Cochin International Airport, the nearest airport, is some 80 km. from Guruvayur. If you are coming from Kozhikode, it will take approximately 2 hrs to reach Guruvayur by bus or by car.
Guruvayur is most famous for its temple[1], which is many centuries old and one of the most important in Kerala. The temple's deity is Lord Guruvayurappan in the form of Balagopalan (Krishna in the form of a child). While non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple, Lord Guruvayurappan has strong believers from many religions.
Krishnanattam Kali, a noted classical performing art that was instrumental in the initial development of the world-famous dance-drama Kathakali, has a good base in Guruvayur as the temple administration (Guruvayur Devaswom) runs a Krishnattam institute. In addition, Guruvayur temple is famous for two renowned classical literary works: Narayaneeyam by Melpathoor Narayana Bhattathiri and Jnanappana by Poonthanam, both (late) authors being ardent devotees of Guruvayurappan. While Narayaneeyam is a brisk walk through of the Dasaavatharam (10 incarnations of Maha Vishnu) in Sanskrit, Jnanappana is in native Malayalam, observing the naked truths of life and preaching the do's and dont's.
Guruvayur is a major venue for the south Indian classical Carnatic music, especially during its auspicious ekadasi day held in the memory of legendary vocalist Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, another ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan. The temple also holds the annual festival (ulsavam) in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March) during which it hosts classical arts like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Panchavadyam, Thayambaka and Panchari Melam. The place has given birth many noted percussionists of ethnic instruments like chenda, maddalam, timila, ilathalam and idakka.
The temple is being run by the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee under the directions of Government of Kerala. The temporary members of committee are "nominated" by the ruling party of the state government from time to time. The permanent members are the current heads of the families of Chennas Mana (the heridatory Thantri of the temple), Samuthiri and Mallisseri Mana.
At the time of Tippu sulthan's invasion the holy idol of Sri Guruvayoorappan shifted to Ambalappuzha temple and then shifted to Mavelikkara sri Krishnaswamy Temple.
[edit] Legend
The most prominent legend regarding the temple's statuette ('murthi' is preferred) relates to Guru Brihaspathi and Vayu, the Wind God.
At the start of the current yuga, Brihaspathi found a floating statuette of Lord Krishna. He and Vayu installed the statuette in this temple to help mankind in this yuga. This legend forms the basis for the names of both the statuette (Guruvayurappan) and the town.[2]
It is believed that this idol which is now in Guruvayur was used by Lord Krishna in Dwapara Yuga.
Guruvayur Temple Entrance
[edit] Other Attractions
Another attraction is the famous elephant sanctuary (Punnathur kotta) near the temple where jumbo elephants are trained for temple purposes. The sanctuary currently has more than 60 elephants, all of whom were offered by devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan. One of the leading elephant names associated with the temple is that of Guruvayur Kesavan which was a legendary elephant. It has found a place in the temple's folklore.
Elephant Sanctuary at Punnathur kotta, GuruvayurThe temple is a major venue for Hindu marriages in Kerala. A record number of marriages take place each day at the temple—sometimes crossing 100 in a single day. Devotees of Lord Guruvayurappan think it is highly auspicious to start married life in front of the lord.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has recently started a center and guest house for pilgrims to the town. The place has several hotels, lodges, restaurants and marriage halls and is a booming upmarket centre.
[edit] Transport
Buses operate every few minutes from Thrissur Shaktan Thampuran Bus Stand. Buses also operate from Ernakulam, North Paravur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Pamba/Sabarimala, Palakkad, Mavelikkara, Kozhikode, Kodungallur and Thiruvananthapuram. Passenger trains operate from the Guruvayur station to Thrissur and Kochi, as well as an overnight express train to Thiruvananthapuram and further to Chennai. Cochin International Airport, the nearest airport, is some 80 km. from Guruvayur. If you are coming from Kozhikode, it will take approximately 2 hrs to reach Guruvayur by bus or by car.
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