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Sree Guruvayurappan Temple
Deity: Lord Krishna
Locality: Guruvayur
State/Country: Kerala
Locality : Guruvayur
State : Kerala
Country : India
Nearest City : Thrissur
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
Temple Timings : 3 AM to 12.30 PM and from 4.30 PM to 9.15 PM.
Photography : Not Allowed
Locality : Guruvayur
State : Kerala
Country : India
Nearest City : Thrissur
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Malayalam & English
Temple Timings : 3 AM to 12.30 PM and from 4.30 PM to 9.15 PM.
Photography : Not Allowed
History & Architecture
Architecture
The temple is built in the classical Kerala style of Architecture. Guruvayoor temple is a typical example for Kerala’s temple Vastuvidya . It faces the East with two Gopurams, one in the East and other in the West. The entire area between these Gopurams is covered with tiles and known as Anapanthal. At the centre of this is a square shaped pillared hall called Nalambalam, the outer wall of which is fixed with a gallery of oil lamps. At the south side of the Nalambalam, there is a sub shrine of Lord Ayyapan. In the north-east side of this shrine is the Koothambalam, where the dance performances were held during ancient times. In the front and the east side of Nalambalam, the Belikkal and Deepastambas – Pillar of lights are located. There are a number of such light pillars in the temple.
On the eastern side, there is a Deepastambam, 24 feet in height with thirteen circular receptacles to hold the wicks. Of the other two at West Gopuram, one is in the shape of a tree. Dwijasthamba is a flag-staff, around 70 feet height, fully covered with gold. The square shaped Sree Kovil has two stairs and three rooms inside. The inner most room is known as Garbhagriha. Here, the two doors and the roof are covered by Gold. The outer room is called Mukhamandapam. The wall of Sree Kovil is decorated with ancient murals. In the north-eastern side of the Sree Kovil is the temple well called Manikinar. In the North side of the temple, a sub shrine of Devi, ‘Edathirithi Kavu’ is situated. The Oottupura, the place for prasadauttu is also located in the north side Here, the daily lunch is arranged for the devotees .Next to it is the temple tank Rudratheertha which is located near the north side of the temple.
The Sanctum is designed in two layers with copper sheet roofing plated with gold. The deity is in the traditionally orthodox form of Mahavishnu, with all the compliments – four arms each carrying sankh (conch), chakra(wheel), gadha (club) and padmam (lotus). The Moolavigraha is made of Pathalanjana Shila and is considered extremely sacred. There are two more idols, one made of silver and the other of gold. These are used for the Seeveli and other processions. Generally the golden idol is used and the silver idol which is more older is taken out only for Arattu and on a few special occasions. There is a repletion of traditional mural paintings on all the three sides, depicting sequences from puranic tales and Krishnaleela. There are 101 bells, all made of silver and plated with gold. Sopanam, the steps leading to the Sreekovil, are made of stone with carvings and designs.
History
The history of the temple is written in the legend Narada Purana. It says that the King Parikshit, a descendant of the Kuru dynasty, being the grandson of the famous archer Arjuna, one among the Pandavas and the son of Abhimanyu, died due to the bite of Takshaka, a fierce snake, after being cursed by a Sage. His son Janmajeya tried to take revenge for this by conducting a fierce yaga named Sarpasatra. Many innocent snakes were killed in the ritual fire. But Takshaka did not die, because the snake had the power of Amrita, a liquid to prevent death. Thus, Janamejaya got cursed by snakes and he was affected with severe leprosy. His condition did not improve. Both his body and mind got weaker over time. Then, Sage Dattatreya appeared before him and requested him to worship Lord Mahavishnu of Guruvayoor to get rid of the curse.
The greatness of the temple, as said by the divine sage Dattatreya, is that during Padma Kalpa when Lord Brahma was performing his task of creation, Lord Vishnu appeared before him. When Lord Brahma requested his wish to get salvation to himself and his creations, Lord Vishnu gave an idol to him. Later, during Varaha Kalpa, Lord Brahma gave this idol to a King named Sutapass and his wife Prasni, who revered Lord Vishnu. They continued to worship, and finally Lord Vishnu appeared before them. He stated that he would himself be born as their son in four births, and in all those births, they would be blessed with the idol which they revered. Thus, in the first birth in Satya Yuga, the Lord was born as Prasnigarbha, the son of Sutapass and Prasni. Later, in Treta Yuga, when Sutapass and Prasni were born as Kashyapa and Aditi respectively, Lord Vishnu was born as Vamana, their son. Again later, in the same yuga, when they were born as Dasaratha and Kausalya respectively, the Lord was born as Rama, their son, and finally, in Dwapara Yuga, when they were born as Vasudeva and Devaki, the Lord was born as Krishna, their son. In all these births, the idol was also with them. Later, Lord Krishna, took the idol of himself to Dwarka, and began to worship it.
At last, when the Lord was ascending to heaven after his avatar, he told to his friend and devotee Uddhava that Dwaraka would be submerged with sea within a week and everyone expect the idol he worshipped would be destroyed, so that the idol should be given to Brihaspathi, the guru of devas and Vayu, the windgod.Uddhava took the idol from the sea and gave it to Brihaspati and Vayu. Lord Guru and Lord Vayu consecrated the idol here, hence the deity is called as Guruvayurappan.