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Guruvayur temple

The statue of Guruvayrrappan, the temple 's central deity, is traditionally timeless. Mythological history says that this image given to Brahma, the creator before the creations started, was created by Lord Vishnu. It was passed on by Brahma to King Sutapas and his wife, Prasni. Pleased by their devotion, Vishnu gave them a blessing that in four of their successive births he would incarnate in their kin.

Thus, Lord Vishnu was born to them as Prasnigarbha, Vamana, Rama and Krishna in their successive births. The couple worshipped the idol in both of these births. The couple, after Krishna was born to them, received their salvation as Vasudeva and Devaki. Krishna had inherited and worshipped the idol from them in Dwarka.

Krishna told his friend Uddhava before leaving his mortal coils that the city of Dwarka would be swallowed by the sea in seven days, and therefore the idol of Vishnu had to be transported to a safer location. As Krishna foretold, the sea invaded Dwarka and, with the aid of the Guru (teacher of gods) and Vayu (air god), Uddava carried the idol.

While passing over the present site of the temple, they were told that because Lord Shiva worshipped Vishnu at this location, the site was a sacred place of exquisite natural beauty. At this location, they installed the idol, and a temple arose. As Guru and Vayu brought the idol here, the name Guruvayur ensued.

Guruvayur temple history

In the Tamil literary works of the 14th century and later in the 16th century, mentions of the Guruvayur temple in history are found. The composition called 'Narayaneeyam' by Melpathur made this temple very famous. The central shrine was built in 1638 AD and became a famed pilgrim spot of the subcontinent. In 1716, the Dutch plundered and set fire to the temple and it was restored.

Hyder Ali spared the temple in exchange for 10000 Ferams paid by Vatakkepat Variyar while conquering the area and gave some grants to the temple in 1780. The Tipu Sultan plundered and set the temple on fire in 1789. There were several refurbishments after this. The temple 's current construction is the result of repairs after a major fire accident in 1970.

A traditional Kerala style of temple architecture is featured in Guruvayoor temple. From the entrance doors, the principal deity can be seen. The sun's rays caress the feet of Guruvayoorappan on the day of the Keralite New Year, Vishu. The temple has two entrances, one from the eastern side and the other from the western side. A charming one with four hands holding Shankha (conch), chakra (discus), Gadha (mace) and Padma (lotus) is the image of Guruvayoorappan.

The idol is said to be made of a stone called Patala Anjanama, which is extremely powerful and has several healing and miraculous properties. Those of Ganapati, Ayyappa and Bhagavati are the other deities found in the temple. Bhuloka Vaikuntam, the abode of Vishnu on the earth, is heralded as the Guruvayoor temple.

Guruvayoor, the abode of Lord Sree Guruvayoorappan, is situated 29 kms north west to the cultural capital of the 'God's own land', Kerala. One of the world's 10 paradises is this small coastal strip of land on the south-western side of the Indian subcontinent.

Guruvayoor is a vibrant township, its scenic beauty and serenity are breathtaking in the Trichur district of Kerala state in the South of India. The primary diet here is Guruvayoorappan, the God who hears the prayers of his pilgrims. Guruvayoorappan is decorated with the holy tulasi (Basil) garland, and here the Lord appears in all radiance to bless the devotees with a pearl necklace.

The Dutch plundered and set the temple on fire in 1716 AD. It was reconstructed in 1747 AD. Haider Ali captured Calicut and Guruvayoor in 1766 AD, but spared the temple on account of 10000 Ferams paid by Vatakkepat Variyar. The prevalent general insecurity; the flow of pilgrims and the annual payment of tenants ceased. However, in 1780 AD, on the advice of the Governor of Malabar, Srinivasa Rao, Haider Ali gave the temple a 'Devadaya' (free gift) and thus saved the temple from complete extinction.

Tipu Sultan, the son and successor of Haider Ali, came to the scene in 1789 to defeat the Zamorin and convert Hindus to Islam. The Mulavigraha (Main Deity) was hidden underground in fear of the image 's destruction and the Utsavavigraha (processional deity) was brought to Ambalapuzha. Tipu set fire to the temple and plundered it. However, a timely rain and an incorporeal voice averted a major disaster. After Tipu was forced out by the English, both the vigrahas (deities) were restored. From 1875 to 1900, in addition to contributing from their family estates, the Ullanad Panikars came in and gave their free protection to the lord. [Like the earlier devotees of Chempakasseri Nambudiri & Desavarma Nambudiri, who gave the Lord everything they had].

In the year 1841, Govt. The Devadaya appropriated by Tipu Sultan was reinstated from Madras. The temple gradually & slowly became prosperous. All the parts have been refurbished and ornamented. Under the administration of its manager, Sri Konti Menon, different changes were seen in the temple at the turn of the 20th century. The Zamorin again became responsible for the temple 's administration in 1928.

In 1931-32, under the leadership of Kerala Gandhi, i.e., Kelappan, a prominent community leader of Kerala, a Sathyagraha was launched to protect the entry of untouchables into the temple. All this culminated in the declaration of the Travancore Temple Entry in 1936, and similar steps in 1946 and 1947 in British Malabar & Cochin. Every Hindu has since been permitted to have a Lord's darshan outside the sanctum sanctorum (Sree kovil). But the offering of Namaskara sadhya (feast) in the Uttupura (dining hall) exclusively to Brahmins persisted. This habit was also eventually sapped. The Devaswam itself has been feeding 500-1000 pilgrims with Prasadam (Prasada Oottu) since 1 January 1982. An bid of any amount for free feeding can also be made by devotees.

A devastating fire broke out in the temple of Hindus , Muslims & Christians on 30 November 1970, after the 6th day of the annual Ekadasi festival, battling the fire shoulder to shoulder. The Srikovil, the Vigraha of Guruvayoorappan, and the subshrines of Ganesha, Ayyappa and Devi, and the flag staff remained intact despite 5 hours of raging fire.

Guruvayur tourism

This sprawling mansion with luxurious courtyards was built from the ruins of the Punathur, located about 3 km away from the Western Gate of the Guruvayoor temple. There are 65 elephants in the palace, all of them offered by devotees. These elephants, except in the service of the Lord during temple processions and ceremonies, are forbidden to function anywhere else.

One of the most visited ancient martial centres is Vallabhatta Kalari. It is a wonderful place to learn a different style of martial arts that dates back many centuries and is a joy to watch.

Founded by Shri Mammiyoor Krishnankutty, a renowned master of mural painting, this institute is situated at the eastern gate of the temple of Guruvayur. The institute, founded in 1989, is managed by Guruvayur Devaswom. The place also offers a five-year diploma, taught in the traditional Gurukula system, in Kerala style mural painting, aesthetics, sculpture and drawing.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Guruvayur Sightseeing

- Morning pick up from Kochi airport. - Pick up and then proceed towards Guruvayur. - Hotel Check in. - Then Proceeding to visit Guruvayur major attractions such as Guruvayur Temple,Guruvayur Elephant Camp,MammiyurMahadevan Temple and Palayur Church. - Come back to Hotel. - Overnight stay at Guruvayur.

Day 2 - Guruvayur Sightseeing

- On Second day ,After Breakfast and then check out from Hotel. - Then proceed to visit Guruvayur major attractions such as Parthasarathy Temple, Chamundeshwary Temple , Devaswom Museum and Institute of Mural Paintings. - Then proceed towards Kochi airport. - Finally drop at Kochi airport.