Guruvayoor Temple
Guruvayoor Sri Vishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu god Guruvayurappan (a four-armed affiliation of the Hindus god Vishnu), located in the tow of in Kerala, India. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus of Kerala and is often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikunta. which translates to the “Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth”.
History
According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. In the 14th century Tamil literature ‘Kokasandesam’, references about a place called Kuruvayur is made. As early as 16th century (50 years after the Narayaneeyam was composed) many references are seen about Kuruvayur. In ancient Dravidic, Kuruvai means sea, hence the village on the coast may be called Kuruvayur.
Updeva
Ganapathy
In almost all Kerala temples, Ganapathy will find a place among upadevas of the main installation. Here the Ganapathy shrine is situated within the Nalambalam itself, at the south-western corner. Initially this shrine was situated in such a way that the devotees could not go around. But during the renovation work done after the fire, sufficient passage has been provided around this shrine.
Sastha
At the southern side of the temple, outside the Nalambalam and just inside the pradikshinavazhy is the shrine of Sastha. This is the only shrine outside the Nalambalam. The shrine of Edatharikathu Bhagavathy is considered to be in a separate compound with a small passage separating it with the main temple. The idol made of dark granite is about a meter in height. There is a huge granite stone in front of the shrine, placed in an inclined position, for breaking coconuts, considered very dear to Sastha. A small deepasthambam is there in front of the shrine. During the mandala season, lot of devotees take darshan at this shrine. In front of the shrine arrangements are made for “malayidal” and “kettunira” for Sabarimala pilgrimage during Mandala season.
Daily Poojas
| Nirmalyam 3.00am to 3.30am |
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| Oilabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam 3.20am to 3.30am |
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| Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram 3.30am to 4.15am |
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| Usha Nivedyam 4.15am to 4.30am |
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| Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja 4.30am to 6.15am |
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| Seeveli,Palabhishekam, Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja 7.15am to 9.00am |
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| Ucha pooja (the noon pooja) 11.30am to 12.30pm
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Temple Customs
- Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple.
- The temple pond on the northern side is known as Rudratheertham. Devotees can purify themselves by taking bath here and can enter the temple preferably with wet clothes.
- Follow the temple rules and regulations, so that all can comfortably worship the Lord.
- Do not enter the temple wearing shirt, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered clothes, chapels etc. There are facilities to keep them outside the temple.
- Do not enter the temple wearing shirt, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered clothes, chapels etc. There are facilities to keep them outside the temple.
- Do not take video camera, mobile phone, radio, tape recorder etc. inside the temple wall.
- Do not touch on the big altar stone (Balikkallu) by foot.
- Immediately after marriage, the couples should not enter the Nalambalam.
- Do not spit in the temple premises.
- Do not retain babies and children for a long time within the Nalambalam.
- The receipt for the remittance for offerings (Vazhipad) can be obtained from the booking counters on the ground floor of the oottupura. Be careful not to get deceived by fraud agents for such bookings.
- Receipts obtained for the feeding of the poor etc. should be put inside the box for the purpose in front of the booking counter.
- Such items as miniature human figures, replicas of hands, legs, eyes, abnormal body eruptions etc. made of gold and silver can be obtained from the temple official, who are available near the Kodimaram (Flag-staff. Put the amount you wish to offer in the Bandaram (Hundi).
- Udayasthamana Pooja, Chuttuvilakku, Bhagavathy Chuttuvilakku, Namaskaram, Krishnanattam and offerings of the like, have to be booked in advance.
- Ornaments and such other costly offerings can be put in the Bhandaram.
- Enter the temple with an absolute sense of devotion.
- Take special care of your valuables.
- Offerings and the relevant letters should be sent to the Administrator, Guruvayur Devaswom, Guruvayur – 680101, Kerala. Complete information about offerings and full address of the person making the offerings in bold capital letters should be given on the money order coupon or covering letter of DD. If these are not given, the amount sent will be put in to the Bhandaram.
- Bank drafts or Money orders should be sent well in advance to make the offerings on the desired date
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