Guruvayoor Temple Kerala Location : 80 km from Kochi Famous As : Healing Temple, Bhoolokavaikunta (heaven on Earth) Major Attraction : 23-ft high 'deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), Koothambalam Best Time To Go : October-April

Guruvayoor Temple - Temple That Heals

Sheeveli in Guruvayoor Temple - Kerala

Holy Sites In Kerala Kochi

Pathanamthitta Thrissur

Sabarimala Elephant Festival

"Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today,
at least we learned a little, and if
we didn't learn a little, at least we
didn't get sick, and if we got sick,
at least we didn't die; so let us all be thankful."

- Gautama Buddha

They say that in the famous temple of Guruvayoor, the 'Brahman' (Supreme Consciousness) - the ultimate goal of human endeavour - himself shines in all its effulgence as a crystallised essence of bliss and knowledge. Perhaps it is the faith that transforms Guruvayoor into something more than just a temple town. Perhaps it is the faith that keeps company with the indolent pace of the queue with no apparant beginning or end. Perhaps it is the faith that brings thousands of devotees, from far and near, to just have a glimpse of the hypnotic, golden glow on the face of the deity, Lord Krishna. It doesnot matter for how long you look at the face of the child-size idol, but every moment you see will be truly blissful. Take up Guruvayoor temple tour of Kerala to see this famous temple attraction of Kerala.

Straight From The Puranas

Plan a visit to famous Guruvayoor temple in Kerala, which is considered as the Dwarka of the South. Interestingly, the town is bedecked with a colourful canvas of legends, that sways with the pulse of devotion. When in front of the Supreme Self, it really doesn't matter where you are from, and whether you are looking for heritage or blessings, because it is the faith that counts, it is the faith that comes straight from the heart. Historical references date the temple to the 14th century, but the legend about its origin is timeless. You might hear stories about an elephant who was besotted with Guruvayurappan, or about the poet who was cured of his pains after scripting hymes in praise of Lord Krishna. And slowly your mind will blend with the altruistic belief of the God. It is only here, at this temple that the eminent poet Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem 'Narayaneeyam'.

The Illuminated Architecture

Take a walk around the premises o f the populat Guruvayoor temple of Kerala and see the impressive architectural facets that embellish the compopund. There is the 23-ft high 'deepastambham' (pillar of lamps) and the 'chuttu villakus' in their wall niches casting a dull gleam by day but revives to a brilliant glow when lit at night. Look at those fascinating mural paintings around the 'sreekovil' (sanctum sanctorum) depicting the life of Lord Krishna, bringing every mood to life. Remember to visit the red-tiled 'koothambalam', a place where the traditional dance of 'koothu' is staged during festivals.

Pleasure of Body, Mind And Soul

On your temple tours of Kerala, do not miss visiting the famous Guruvayanoor temple in Kerala. Also praised as the Bhoolokavaikunta (heaven on Earth), the Guruvayur temple is renowned for its healing powers. One can find devotees making an amazing range of offerings here to the Lord; like 'thulabaranam' where a person is weighed against offerings of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts. The temple is also a favoured spot for solemnising marriage ceremonies, and you can catch beautifullly adorned brides orbiting the sacred fire along with their grooms seven times - a commitment that they will be together for seven incarnations henceforth. Elaborate pujas all throughout the day and evening. As night falls and a thousand oil lamps illuminate the temple, you will be mesmerised to see a perfect ambiance created to stage 'Krishnattam', a dance form, dedicated to Krishna, that was once performed only in Guruvayur. One can experience how a Zamorin king only had a divine vision of the peacock feather that trims the crown of the Lord, when an artist enact Krishna's birth with the shimmering lights creating a magical ambiance at the backdrop.

Guruvayoor Temple - Kerala

Fast Facts

Devotees can take a bath and purify themselves at the temple pond (Rudratheertham), situated on the northern side of the premises and thereafter can enter the temple preferably in wet clothes. Remember not to enter the temple in shirt, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered clothes, footwear etc. There are facilities to keep them outside the temple. One can also get miniature human figures, replicas of hands, legs, eyes, abnormal body eruptions etc. made of gold and silver from the temple office near the Kodimaram (Flag-staff). Offer prayers to heal or refresh yourself as your need may be.

The town of Guruvayoor is situated at a distance of 80 km from the Kochi international airport at Nedumbassery, and 100 km from the Calicut airport at Kozhikode. Tourists can hire a taxi from the airport and come straight to the religious destination. Those coming from the Madras or Thiruvananthapuram can get down at Thrissur station. From Thrissur, there are regular state bus services to Guruvayoor. Both the KSRTC bus stand and Private Bus stand are about 500 metres from the temple. Several state owned and private buses, as well as taxis and other vehicles regularly ply between Trichur and Guruvayoor. You can also afford the DTPC Bhakti Marg Tour, conducted daily to all the temples, churches and mosques located around Guruvayoor and Thrissur.