The Image of Vishnu, Guru and Vayu

Guruvayur Temple is Kerala's most important shrine. Its Deity, Guruvayurappan, has inspired numerous poems from Kerala poets. The temple attracts a constant flow of pilgrims. They throng the temple from very early morning (3 am) to late at night (10pm) to have a darshan of Guruvayurrappan. Guruvayur Temple organizes twenty four festivals annually. The Prominent among the festivals are Ekadasi and Ulsavam. The elephants of Punnathur kotta give the Ulsavam a carnival look and the crowd that gathers make it a memorable experience. The Institute of Mural Painting runs under the Dewaswam Board,trains students in traditional arts.

Guruvayur, the image of Vishnu, Guru and Vayu, is the hometown to bustling, blooming activities.

Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur, where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of Kerala. This is probably the only temple in the state that hosts the maximum number of marriages and rice feeding ceremonies (the ritual first meal for infants).

The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local belief, the temple was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of wind'.

It was also the hub of the 'Guruvayur Sathyagraha' , a historic movement demanding temple entry rights for the 'so called' lower castes.

In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated 'Dwajastambham' (flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham' (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly brilliant spectacle, when lit.

The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.

The square 'Sreekovil' is the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.

Punnathoorkotta, which is at a distance of 2 kms from Guruvayur is the home of 50 temple elephants, offers unusual spectacles of the gentle pachyderm.