Guruvayur Temple is located in the Guruvayur temple. Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrim hubs that are located in Kerala. It is one of the most revered temples in South India where the pressing deity Lord Vishnu is worshipped on Balkrishna Avtar. Lord Idol is adorned with four hands each carrying on conch, a mace, a discus, a lotus and is also known by the name of Unnikrishnan.

Guruvayur Temple Kerala

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Guruvayur Temple - Wikipedia Image Credits: Wikipedia

The idol in the temple is garlanded with the Tulasi or Basil Garland and pearl necklace, the lord appears in full radiance blessing the devotees. According to a legend, Guruvayur Temple was established by the preceptors of the Gods, Guru and God of winds, Vayu.

The idol of Lord Unnikrishnan Guruvayur is made out of a rare mixture called Padal Anjanam instead of stone or medal which was more commonplace in the old times. The temple is simple in its construction, the spiritual charm of the temple is unmatched and has devotees flocking to it from all over India.

Although, Guruvayur Temple is open only to the believers of the Hindu faith and there might be long queues at the entrance but completely worth it as you enter the premises of the temple.

Guruvayur Temple is believed to be established in the year 1638 AB and this temple is promoted as one of the major pilgrims of Kerala by its devotees Poonthanam, Melpattur, Vilvamanglam, the Prince Mandadevan and Kururamma. The temple was destroyed and restored a number of times and the temple managed to stand tall in its full glory till the disastrous fire broke out in 1970. Despite the raging fire for 5 hours, the Vigraha and the sub-shrines of Ayyappa, Devi and Ganesha remained intact including the flagstaff with the help of people of all religions who helped to quench it. To date, Guruvayur Temple is tall showing its blessing to all its devotees.

How to reach Guruvayur Temple?

The Guruvayur Temple can be reached by road, train or air. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is only a distance of 87 km from the temple. The airport has excellent domestic connectivity and cabs are also available outside the airport.

Guruvayur town has a small railway station with trains from major cities in south India. Thrissur Railway Station is a major railway station and it is located 28 km away from the temple. The railway station is well connected to every major city in the country. You can easily book Kerala State Transport Corporation (KRTC) buses. KRTC has an excellent network of buses and you can easily get buses from cities and towns across the state of Kerala. KRTC also operates buses to major cities in the South Indian States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

A bus or taxi is the most convenient way to reach the Guruvayur Temple. You can find a private bus stand towards the east of the temple near Manjula. The distance from the bus stand to the temple can be covered only in 30 minutes by car and buses ply every 5 minutes from the bus stand to the temple.

Guruvayur Temple Online Booking

You can visit Guruvayur Temple after doing an online booking. 600 people who have made advance online bookings will be allowed one day in the temple. Visiting hours are from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm.

The virtual Queue system allows you to get the darshan of the Lord. You can book a Free online darshan through Guruvyur Devaswan’s website https://guruvayurdevaswom.in/. You will receive a token email coating a QR code that records the allotted time and date. You have to report to the QC Complex in East Nada 20 minutes before the time allowed with the token number and identification card. Devaswom Minister, Kadakampally Surendra advised Devaswom Chairman K.B Mohan Das, Administrator S. and V. Shishir regarding the online darshan.

Steps for Guruvayur Temple Darshan Online Booking

Step I- Firstly you have to visit the official website https://guruvayurdevaswom.in/.

Step II- After visiting the site you will reach another Page where you have to enter your details.

Step III- On the website page, you have to upload your photo.

Step IV- Then first you have to enter your details such as name, age, gender, aadhar number, phone, email- ID and birth star.

Step V- Then you have to enter your complete Address and Aadhar Number as identification proof.

Step VI- Then you have to enter your email id, password and then confirm the password.

Step VII- Now you have to enter the Continue button.

Step VIII- After that, you will get an OTP (one-time password) to your mobile number. As soon as you enter the OTP, your registration will be completed.

Step IX- Next you have to go to the page- https://guruvyurdevaswom.in/.

Step X- Now you have to enter your login details i.e Username and Password.

Step XI- Then on the top of the Tab, you have to click on the Free Darshan or Special Darshan.

Step XII- Now you have to enter your details such as Date, Time and Slot. And now you have to enter the Number of Devotes. Devotees must be between the age of 10 years to 65 years.

Step XIII- Then you have to enter the Total Amount for Special Darshan and there is no amount for Free Darshan.

Step XIV- After entering this you have to enter each Devotee’s details.

Step XV- At last you have to enter the Confirm button and your slot will be booked.

There is only one Darshan Per Day and all information furnished should be accurate. You have to bring the original ID proof while coming for Darshan. Devaswom Minister said that only 150 people could get darshan in an hour. Although, he said the VIP darshan is not allowed in the Guruvayur Temple.

The architecture of Guruvayur Temple

The Guruvayur Temple was built in a typical Kerala style of architecture and Vastu Vidya, the temple is east faced with two Gopurams, one towards east called Kizhakkenada and one towards west called Paringjarenada. The main entrance of the temple is through the eastern Nada and at Guruvayur Temple you will witness a 33.5 m high gold plated flag post or Dwajasthamban in the outer enclosure of Chuttambalam. The gorgeous pillars of lamps or 7 m high Deepsthambam with 16 circular receptacles are a sight to behold when lit. Although, the most striking feature of the temple is the idol of the main deity.

Guruvayur Temple Pooja Timings

Guruvayur Temple opens at 3 in the morning.
Nirmala is from 3 to 3.30 in the morning.
Oilabhishelam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam is from 3.30 am to 3.30 am.
Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram is from 3.30 and to 4.15 am.
Usha Nivedyam is from 4.15 am to 4.30 am.
Ethirettu Pooka followed by Usha Pooja is from 4 to 6.15 in the morning.
Seeveli, Palabhishekam, Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradu Nivedyan and Pooja from 7.15 am to 9 am.
Ucha Pooja is from 11.30 and to 12.30 pm, this is the noon pooja.
The temple is closed from 1.30 pm to 4.3o pm.
Seeveli is from 4.30 to 5 pm.
Deeparadhana is from 6 pm to 6.45 pm.
Athazha Pooja Nivedyam id form 7.30 pm to 7.45 pm.
Athazha Pooja is from 7.45 pm to 8.15 pm.
Athazha Seeveli is from 8.45 pm to 9 pm.
Thrippuka, Olavayana is from 9 pm to 9.15 pm.
The temple closes at 9.15 pm.

On the day of Special illuminations which is known as “Vilakku”, the Thripuka is performed after that. Guruvayur Temple will be closed after Thripuka. Then the Krishnanattam, a colorful traditional dance drama on Lord Krishna’s life is enacted inside the temple on specified days.

Major festivals celebrated at Guruvayur Temple

Guruvayur Temple in Kerala celebrates a number of festivals with great joy and they are as follows-

Mandala Pooja starts on the first day of Malayam month Vrishchikam. Hundreds of devotees flock to Sabrimala during this auspicious period. Many who visit Sabrimala Temple stop by the Guruvayur Temple. Guruvayur Temple offers a special Abhishekam during these 41 days.
Saraswathy Pooja is celebrated on the last 3 days of the Navarathri festival. Goddess Saraswathy is the goddess of learning and fine arts. On the last date, children can begin to start learning to read or write or training in different traditional dances and martial arts.
Thiruvonam is celebrated during Chingam from the month of August to September, devotees throng the temple, in large numbers offering bananas to the elephants of Guruvayur Devaswom. On Thirvonam day, Guruvayur Temple offers an elaborate Onam feast.
Ashtami Rohini is celebrated during Chingam, the birthday of Lord Krishna. They decorate the temple with lamps and flowers and the temple arranges a special feast for devotees.
Puthari or new rice is the formal starting to use rice from the new harvest season by first offering to Guruvayur Temple and devoted offer Puthari Payasam to the lord.
Vishnu the New Year of Malayees and Tamilians is celebrated in Medam in mid-April. Devotees believe that the fortunes of the year will depend on the objects seen on the morning of Vishu. For this purpose, Kani or omen of yellow flowers, rice, betel nuts and gold coins, etc are displayed in front of Lord Guruvayur on Vishnu morning. Devotees stay overnight in the temple courtyard.
Kucheladinam is the first Wednesday of the month of Dhanu or December. According to legend, a rich devotee offered Lord Krishna, Avial in return for eternal bliss and material property. Avil is offered in the temple on this day.
Samkramam Sandhyas is an auspicious occasion that is celebrated on the eve of each Malayam month.

Offerings in Guruvayur Temple

Nobody should return from a temple, especially from Guruvayur, without making an offering to deity in the temple, however small that might be. An offering is quite often misinterpreted as a bribe given to the deity for a favor and actually, it is the renunciation of a devotee, as the real test of one’s devotion.

The Lord in the temple accepts whatever is given in devotion or Bhakti and rejects everything, however, expansive offered without it. A number of throngs make their offerings as an expression of their gratitude and devotion for the cure of their diseases, success, progeny, profit, mental peace and the list of endless.

(Guide) Guruvayur Temple Kerala (Online Ticket Booking & Pooja Timings)