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| Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple | |
|---|---|
ഗുരുവായൂർ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണസ്വാമിക്ഷേത്രം | |
 Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Thrissur |
| Deity | Guruvayurappan (Vishnu withfour arms) in his form ofKrishna |
| Festivals | Janmashtami,Kumbham Utsavam,Guruvayur Ekadasi |
| Governing body | Guruvayur Devaswom Board |
| Location | |
| Location | Guruvayur |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Kerala Show map of Kerala Guruvayur Temple (India) Show map of India Guruvayur Temple (Asia) Show map of Asia | |
| Coordinates | 10°35′40″N76°02′20″E / 10.5945°N 76.0390°E /10.5945; 76.0390 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Kerala Architecture |
| Creator | As per tradition,Vishwakarma (sculptor) Brihaspati andVayu (pratishta) |
| Completed | The temple was completed around 14th century. The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century. |
| Website | |
| guruvayurdevaswom | |
TheGuruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is situated in the town ofGuruvayur, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Located approximately 26 kilometers (16 miles) northwest ofThrissur city, the temple stands as one of the most revered and actively visitedHindu pilgrimage sites globally. Dedicated to the deityGuruvayurappan, a beloved form ofVishnu, the temple is affectionately hailed by devotees asBhuloka Vaikunta[1]—the Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth. In terms of foot traffic, it is one of the busiest Vaishnava shrines in the country. Reverence for this ancient shrine is deeply ingrained in the spiritual landscape of South India, placing it among the 108Abhimana Kshethram (honored temples) of theVaishnavate tradition. The temple is a synthesis of profound mythology, traditional Kerala architecture, and meticulously maintained ritual practices, all centered on the loving worship of Lord Krishna.
The sanctity of the Guruvayur Temple is intrinsically linked to the legendary origin of its central icon. The primary deity is believed to have been originally created byVishnu himself inVaikuntha. This divine idol was subsequently entrusted toBrahma, who in turn gifted it to King Sutapas and his consort Prishni. Due to their intense devotion, Vishnu granted them the boon of worshipping the idol through three successive births, culminating in theDwapara Yuga when Vishnu was born as their son,Krishna.
Following theSwargarohanam (heavenly ascent) of Krishna and the subsequent submergence of the city ofDwarka, the idol was rescued by Krishna's disciple,Uddhava. Uddhava entrusted the relic toBrihaspati (Guru, the preceptor of the gods) andVayu (the wind god). They installed it at the current location, which was designated as the most auspicious spot by LordShiva. The name of the place, Guruvayur, is a portmanteau derived from its founders: Guru + Vayu + Oor (place). LordShiva then relocated to the adjacentMammiyoor Temple, maintaining his watchful presence over the main shrine.
Beyond its foundational narrative, Guruvayur is widely known as a center for miraculous healing. This reputation stems from the legend of KingJanamejaya. Cursed withleprosy, the king sought the counsel of SageAtreya, who advised him to worship Lord Krishna at Guruvayur. After a year of unyielding devotion, King Janamejaya was completely cured, firmly establishing the temple's fame as a source of physical and spiritual well-being.
The Guruvayur Temple is a pristine example of the traditional Kerala architectural style, characterised by its sloped roofs, copper sheeting, and extensive use of wood and laterite stone. The entire complex is oriented to the East, with the main sanctum, theSreekovil, facing the rising sun.
The Sreekovil is a rectangular, two-storied structure. Its roof is covered with copper sheets and notably plated with gold, a significant offering made by the devotee K.T.B. Menon in 1981. The inner structure is divided into three rooms, culminating in theGarbhagriha (innermost sanctum). The Sreekovil walls are a canvas for exquisite murals, which, though damaged in the devastating fire of 1970, were meticulously restored in the 1980s by masters like Mammiyoor Krishnankutty Nair. Inside, in addition to theMoolavigraha (main idol), are two processional idols: a gold idol used for the dailySreeveli(procession) and an 18th-centuryPanchaloha (five-metal alloy) idol reserved for theAarattu (holy bath) ceremony. Crucially, behind the main idol lies a hugeshaligram stone, said to amplify the Vaishnava energy of the shrine.
The Presiding Deity, Guruvayurappan, is a standing,four-armed manifestation of Mahavishnu, approximately 1.2 metres tall, carved from a rare shaligram stone. The idol holds the divine attributes—the conch (Panchajanya), the discus (Sudarshana), the mace (Kaumodaki), and a lotus—thereby representing the Janardana form of Vishnu. Despite this majestic form, devotees affectionately worship the deity as Unnikannan, or Baby Krishna.
The complex is flanked by various Auxiliary Shrines. These include the roofless Vana Durga (ForestDurga) shrine ofIdatharikathu KavuBhagavathi, and shrines dedicated toGanapathi. Of particular note is the sub-shrine of Dharmashastha (Ayyappan) in the southeast, who is worshipped in theDhanwantari Bhava [physician form] for the purpose of healing. The revered presence of Mahadeva (Shiva) is traditionally acknowledged towards the adjacent Mammiyur Temple, maintaining the integral connection between Shiva and Vishnu in the temple's mythological context.
The architectural integrity of the Guruvayur temple extends beyond the Sreekovil to its surrounding structures, forming a cohesive sacred space. The central shrine is immediately enclosed by theNalambalam (inner courtyard), a rectangular structure that houses the auxiliary shrines of Ganapathi and Ayyappan. Surrounding the Nalambalam is theChuttambalam (outer enclosure building), which accommodates theThidappally (temple kitchen) and various storage rooms for ceremonial items. A notable feature integrated into the Chuttambalam is theVilakkumatam (lamp house), a structure comprising multiple platforms designed to hold thousands of oil lamps, which are lit on special occasions creating a spectacular sight.
Outside the inner complex, directly facing the Sreekovil, stands the toweringDeepastambham (lamp pillar), an imposing granite structure plated with gold. Just before the Deepastambham is theDwajasthambham (flagmast), also gold-plated, which is crucial for the annualUtsavam (festival). The entire complex is encompassed by a massive outer wall, theMaryada (boundary wall). Entry is facilitated through twoprominent Gopurams (entrance towers), theKizhakke Gopuram (Eastern Gopuram) serving as the main entrance.
Adjacent to the northern side of the temple complex is theRudratheertham (temple tank), the sacred pond associated with Lord Shiva. Devotees often bathe here before entering the main shrine.
The location is mentioned as "Kuruvayur" in the 14th-century Tamil text "Kokasandesam". TheOld Tamil root kuruvai suggests a meaning related to "sea" or a "village on the Malabar Coast".[2] The name was popularly Sanskritized to 'Guruvayur,' a practice often attributed toMelpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, the author ofNarayaneeyam[3] (16th century). By the close of the 16th century, Guruvayur had solidified its status as a principal pilgrimage center in Kerala.
The temple sustained damage during regional conflicts. In 1716, a Dutch raid led to the looting of treasures and the burning of the Western Gopuram, which was later reconstructed in 1747. Hyder Ali's invasion in 1766 saw the temple spared only after a ransom was paid. A more severe threat emerged during Tipu Sultan's invasion in 1789, necessitating the secret relocation of the main idol to theAmbalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple for safekeeping. The temple was saved from destruction by a sudden rainstorm, and the idol was re-installed on September 17, 1792,[4] following Tipu's defeat.
This pivotal non-violent protest, led by figures likeK. Kelappan andA. K. Gopalan, demanded the entry of 'Avarna' (people not belonging to avarna) into the temple. Following a public mandate and the Madras Government’s Temple Entry Proclamation, the Guruvayur Temple was officially opened to all Hindus on June 2, 1947.
A catastrophic fire on November 30, 1970,[5][6] severely damaged the temple, destroying the Chuttambalam (the surrounding inner building) and the Vilakkumatam (lamp house) on the west, south, and north sides. Crucially, the Sreekovil, the main idol, and the shrines of Ganapathi and Ayyappan were preserved. A major public restoration effort followed, replacing structures and sculptures, including the Ananthashayanam painting, which was lost in the blaze and subsequently replaced by a granite sculpture.
A notorious theft involving precious ornaments, including the Nagapadathali and the Mahalakshmi Mala, occurred on March 31, 1985. The incident, coinciding with the demitting of office by the outgoing Melshanthi, led to political controversy, although the accused priests were eventually exonerated in 1993.
The temple's administration is overseen by theGuruvayur Devaswom Board, a statutory authority operating under the supervision of theGovernment of Kerala via the Guruvayur Devaswom Act.
The temple's ritual system follows the framework established byAdi Shankara and formalized by Chennas Ravinarayanan Nambudiri (1427-1527), whose descendants, the Puzhakara Chennas Namboothirippad family, hold the hereditary position ofThantri (Head Priest).
The main festivals of this temple are the 10-day festival in theMalayalam month ofKumbham starting with flag hoisting onPooyam star,[9]Krishna Janmashtami (Birthday of Krishna) in the month ofChingam,[10]Ekadasi (11th day) in the shukla paksha (bright fortnight) in the month ofVrischikam, popularly called as theGuruvayur Ekadasi[11] andVishu on the first day of the month ofMedam, once a harvest festival.[10]
The Guruvayur Temple is one of the most significant and busiest venues for Hindu marriages in Kerala. The weddings are characterized by their simplicity and strict adherence to specific temple customs.The ceremonies are primarily held at the Kalyana Mandapam (wedding hall) located outside the Eastern gateway of the temple complex. A key characteristic is the absence of a rigidly fixed, pre-calculated auspicious time (muhurtam); weddings are permitted at any time the temple doors are open. The garlands exchanged by the couples are traditionally made ofTulsi (Holy Basil), a plant sacred to Lord Vishnu. Due to the temple rule prohibiting the immediate entry of a newly married couple into the inner courtyard (Nalambalam), the bride and groom typically seek the deity's blessings inside the main temple premises either on the preceding day or prior to proceeding to the Mandapam for the ceremony. The widespread belief is that marriage conducted at this site ensures a prosperous marital life and the continuous grace (Kataksham) of Guruvayurappan. Many devotees also adhere to the custom of visiting the temple regularly, either annually or monthly, following their wedding.
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Entry to the Guruvayur Temple premises is strictly prohibited for all non-Hindus. A conservative and specific dress code is mandatory for all Hindu devotees. Men must wear the Dhoti (Mundu) wrapped around the waist. Covering the chest is strictly prohibited, but a small Angavastram (upper cloth) is permitted. Women are permitted to wear aSaree, Churidar (Shalwar Kameez),[12] or Half Saree (long skirt and blouse).
ThePunnathur kotta (Anakotta), an elephant yard maintained by the temple, is located three kilometers from the main shrine. It houses approximately 35 captive Asian elephants, primarily offerings from devotees.[13] The sanctuary is notable for its large population of tusked male elephants and has been cited by theAnimal Welfare Board of India for violations regarding the treatment and living conditions of the animals.[14][15]
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