Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
Also known as: குருவாயூர் ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ணன் கோயில் · గురువాయూర్ శ్రీకృష్ణ ఆలయం · गुरुवायूर श्रीकृष्ण मंदिर
Kerala Vishnu
Kerala's best-known Krishna temple. The standing Guruvayurappan image is about 1.2 m tall, carved from shaligram stone.
- Deity
- Guruvayurappan (Vishnu as Krishna, four-armed)
- Tradition
- Vishnu
- Place
- Guruvayur, Thrissur
- State
- Kerala
- Sacred tank / theertham
- Rudratheertham, the tank on the north side, linked with Shiva. Devotees bathe there before entering.
- Era
- Completion is dated to about the 14th century in the infobox. The earliest temple records are from the 17th century.
Sthala Puranam
The Gurupavanapura Mahatmya in the Narada Purana says Vishnu made the image in Vaikuntha. Brahma gave it to King Sutapas and Prishni.
After Krishna's time, when Dvaraka went under the sea, Uddhava gave the image to Brihaspati and Vayu. They installed it at this place, which Shiva chose.
King Janamejaya was cured of leprosy after worshipping here on the advice of the sage Dattatreya.
Speciality
- The image represents the Janardana form. Tradition says Vishwakarma was the sculptor.
- Counted among the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.
- Associated with healing. A major place for Hindu weddings, with Tulsi garlands.
- Traditional Kerala temple style with sloped roofs, copper sheets, wood and laterite.
- The temple opened to all Hindus on 2 June 1947, after the Temple Entry Proclamation.
- Newly married couples may not enter the inner courtyard (Nalambalam) just after the wedding.
- Punnathur Kotta, the temple's elephant yard, has about 35 elephants. The Animal Welfare Board of India has cited welfare violations there.
Festivals
- Utsavam in Kumbham: 10 days, flag hoisting on Pooyam star
- Krishna Janmashtami (Chingam)
- Guruvayur Ekadasi (Vrischikam)
- Vishu (Medam)
How to reach
By airKochi Airport (about 80 km) or Coimbatore Airport.
By trainGuruvayur railway station is about 1 km from the temple.
By roadGuruvayur is about 30 km from Thrissur. KSRTC and private buses run all day.
Location is approximate.
Before you go
- Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
- Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
- Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
- Dress rules and entry rules are set by the temple. Check them on the day before you go; traditional dress is usual.
- Weddings and Ekadasi days make the queue long. Weekday mornings are easier.
Prayers for this temple
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against the sources listed above. If you find a mistake, please tell us.