XuHzRuDLW at 06:43, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T06:43:23Z

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Guruvayur, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=April 2017}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=May 2020}}
}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Guruvayur Temple
| image = File:Guruvayoor Temple 1.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple
| map_caption = Location in Kerala
| map_type = India Kerala#India#Asia
| map_size = 200
| coordinates = {{coord|10.5945|76.0390|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}

| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Kerala]]
| district = [[Thrissur]]
| location = [[Guruvayur]]
| elevation_m = 12<ref>[https://www.latlong.net/place/guruvayoor-kerala-india-11102.html Guruvayur Elevation]</ref>
| deity = [[Guruvayurappan]](Lord [[Vishnu]] with [[Vishvarupa|four arms]] at the time of [[Krishna]] avatar)
| festivals= [[Janmashtami]], [[Kumbham|Kumbham Utsavam]], [[Guruvayur Ekadasi]]
| architecture = Kerala Architecture
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions = [[Kerala mural painting|Murals]]
| year_completed = The Lord Krishna idol is more than 5000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/DynamicPage/Index/4003|title = Index - Guruvayur Devaswom}}</ref> The temple was completed around 14th century, The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century.
| creator = As per tradition, [[Vishwakarma]] (sculptor) <br/> [[Brihaspati]] and [[Vayu]] (''[[Prana Pratishtha|pratishta]]'')
| governing_body = [[Guruvayur Devaswom Board]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.guruvayurdevaswom.in}}
}}

'''Guruvayur Temple''' is a [[Hindu]] temple dedicated to the Lord [[Guruvayurappan]] (four-armed form of the Lord [[Vishnu]]),Under the Administration of [[Guruvayur Devaswam]], located in the town of [[Guruvayur]] in [[Kerala]], [[India]]. It is one of the most important places of worship for [[Hindus]] in Kerala and is often referred to as [[Vaikuntha|''Bhuloka Vaikunta'']] (Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guruvayurdevaswom.in/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.guruvayurdevaswom.in}}</ref>

The presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple is [[Guruvayurappan]] (Vishnu, worshipped in the form of his avatar [[Krishna]]). The central icon is a four-armed standing [[Vishnu]] carrying the conch [[Panchajanya]], the discus [[Sudarshana Chakra]], the mace [[Kaumodaki]], and a lotus with a [[Ocimum tenuiflorum|Holy basil]] garland. This image represents the majestic form of [[Vishnu]] as revealed to Krishna's parents [[Vasudeva]] and [[Devaki]] around the time of Krishna's birth. Worship proceeds according to routines laid down by [[Adi Shankara]] and later written formally in the [[Tantra|Tantric]] way, the inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, by Chennas Narayanan Nambudiri (born in 1427). The Chennas Nambudiris are the hereditary [[tantri]]s (high priest) of the Guruvayur Temple.<ref name="G1">{{Cite web|title=www.guruvayurdevaswom.in - Official Website Of Guruvayur Devaswom|url=https://guruvayurdevaswom.in/|website=guruvayurdevaswom.in|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>

The temple is managed by [[Guruvayur Devaswom]] under the control of the [[Government of Kerala]]. The main festivals of this temple are the 10-day festival in the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of [[Kumbham]] starting with flag hoisting on [[Pushya|Pooyam]] star,<ref>http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/utsavam.html</ref> [[Janmashtami|Shri Krishna Janmashtami]] (Birthday of Lord Krishna) in the month of [[Chingam]],<ref name="guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in">http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/orfestivals.html</ref> [[Ekadasi]] (11th day) in the shukla paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of [[Vrischikam]], popularly called as ''[[Guruvayur Ekadasi]]''<ref>http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/ekadasi.html</ref> and [[Vishu]] on the first day of the month of [[Medam]], once a harvest festival.<ref name="guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in"/> The temple's sub-deities are [[Ganapathi]], [[Ayyappan]] and [[Bhagavathi]], and there are two sub-temples each, one for Ganapathi and the other for [[Snake worship|''Nagadevata'']] nearby the temple. One of its replica temples is Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple located at [[Mayur Vihar]] in [[Delhi]]. The temple is dedicated to Shri Krishna, who is worshipped as Guruvayurappan, the [[deity]] of the famous Shri Krishna Temple in [[Guruvayur]] Town in the state of [[Kerala]]. This temple is most revered by the Malayalis and Tamilians in Delhi.

==Legend==
[[File:Guruvayoor Temple 2.jpg|thumb|left|Main entrance to the temple]]

===Guruvayur Mahatmyam – early legend===
[[File:Guruvayoor temple.jpg|thumb|Guruvayur temple entrance]]
According to legend, [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] conducted a sacrifice to destroy all the snakes of the world including [[Takshaka]], who was the cause of his father [[Parikshit]]'s death. Hundreds of thousands of snakes fell into the sacrificial fire and were killed, but the sacrifice was stopped by a Brahmin called Astika, before Takshaka was killed.<ref name="G2">Narayaneeyam, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Appendix-1, Pg 350, Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref>

Since [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] was responsible for the death of millions of snakes, he was afflicted with [[leprosy]]. He lost all hope of a cure. One day Sage [[Atreya]] (son of Atri) came before Janamejaya and told him to take refuge under the feet of Krishna at [[Guruvayur]]. Atreya told him that in the temple at Guruvayur the effulgence of [[hari|Shri Hari]] is at its best and [[Vishnu]] showers his blessings on all devotees. He immediately rushed there and spent the next ten months worshipping the god of Guruvayur. At the end of ten months, he returned home healthy and took the [[astrologer]] to task for making a false prediction. The astrologer told him that he would find the mark of a snakebite on his left leg. He had escaped death only because he was at that time in a temple where [[Ananta Shesha|Anantha]] (the emperor of serpents) was present and [[Ananta Shesha|Anantha]] was the brother to the God at Guruvayur where he had finished worshipping.<ref name="G2"/>

The king then decided to build a full-fledged temple at Guruvayur. In time, this temple came to be downgraded and reduced to poverty during the days when [[Kerala]] was ruled by the [[Perumals]]. The Perumal rulers were mostly [[Shaivites]] and did not extend their patronage to [[Vaishnavite]] shrines. The Shiva temple at [[Mammiyur]] received their patronage and with the shift of royal patronage, the worshippers also moved to the Shiva temple. The Guruvayur temple was thus reduced to utmost poverty. However, one day, a holy man went to the Mammiyur temple for food and hospitality for the night. Though the temple was affluent, the temple authorities pretended they had nothing and scornfully directed him to the neighbouring Guruvayur temple. When the holy man entered the precincts of that temple, he was courteously received by a [[Brahmin]] boy and sumptuously fed. The holy man was very much pleased and he pronounced a blessing. According to the legend, Mammiyur Siva temple began to decline, and the fortunes of Guruvayur Vishnu temple progressed from strength to strength.<ref>Narayaneeyam, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Appendix-1, Pg 352, Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref>

==History==

===Pre-colonial age===
In the 14th century, the Tamil literature "Kokasandesam" refers to a place named "Kuruvayur" and in the 16th century (fifty years after ''[[Narayaneeyam|Narayaniyam]]'' was composed) there are also multiple references to Kuruvayur{{By what|date=May 2020}}. In [[Old Tamil]], "kuruvai" means "sea", hence the village on the Malabar Coast may be called Kuruvayur.<ref>{{Cite web|title=All you need to know about Guruvayur temple in Kerala {{!}} Kochi News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/all-you-need-to-know-about-guruvayur-temple-in-kerala/articleshow/69700293.cms|last1=Jun 8|first1=Preetu Nair {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12|last3=Ist|first3=12:06}}</ref>

The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century. The earliest mention of the many important Vishnu temples of Kerala are found in the songs of [[Alwars]], [[tamil people|Tamil]] saints, whose time-line is not exactly fixed.<ref>Narayaneeyam, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Appendix-1, Pg 353, Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref> However, by the end of 16th century, Guruvayur had become the most popular pilgrimage centre in Kerala.

===Colonial age===
{{See also|Guruvayur Satyagraha}}
[[File:FileChittoor temple in Ernakulam district of Kerala.jpg|thumb|Guruvayur Temple in 19th century]]
In 1716, the Dutch raided Guruvayur. They looted treasures and set fire to the Western Gopuram (later rebuilt in 1747). In 1755, the Dutch destroyed the Trikkunavay temple and the Brahmins fled from there.

In 1766, Hyder Ali of Mysore captured Kozhikkode (Calicut) and then Guruvayur. He demanded 10,000 fanams in ransom to spare the temple. The ransom was paid but due to insecurity pilgrims receded. On the request of the Malabar Governor, Shrnivasa Rao, Hyder Ali granted a [[Devadaya]] to save the temple. Later, in 1789 AD, Tippu Sultan invaded the province. Tippu destroyed the smaller shrines and set fire to the Temple, but it was saved due to timely rain. Tippu lost to the Travancore and the English in 1792. The idol, which had been hidden underground in anticipation of the Tippu's takeover, was re-installed on 17 September 1792.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://guruvayurdevaswom.org/temple/history/period-of-zamorins/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=guruvayurdevaswom.org}}</ref>

[[Panickers|Ullanad Panikkars]] rescued and looked after the temple from 1825 to 1900. From 1859 to 1892, the Chuttambalam, the Vilakkumatam, the Koottambalam and Sasta shrine were renovated and roofed with copper sheeting. In 1900, the administrator Konti Menon fixed the hours of worship and led the drive to keep the temple premises clean. He set up the big bell and reconstructed Pattayappura (granary). In 1928, [[Kozhikode]] once again became the administrator of Guruvayur.<ref name="G3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/htemple2.shtml|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.guruvayurdevaswom.org}}</ref>{{clarify|date=February 2013}}

===Post-colonial age===

[[File:Vilakku.jpg|thumb|right|The Vilakkumatham]]

On 30 November 1970, a massive fire broke out in the temple, gutting the whole chuttambalam and the entire Vilakkumatam on the west, south and north sides.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/htemple3.shtml|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.guruvayurdevaswom.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sevak|title=The Fire and Renovation {{!}} Holy Dham|url=https://www.holydham.com/the-fire-and-renovation/|access-date=2020-11-25|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Rudratheertham==
[[File:Guruvayur temple pond.jpg|thumb|right|Guruvayur Temple tank (pond)]]

The temple tank (pond) on the northern side of the temple is called ''Rudratheertham''. According to legend, for thousands of years, Lord Shiva used to bath on the southern bank of this pond. Since Shiva is also known by the name 'Rudra', the pond came to be known as Rudratheertham.

==Popular devotees==
[[File:East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala, India - panoramio (4).jpg|thumb|[[Garuda]] statue in Guruvayur Temple]]
* [[Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri]] (1560-1646/1666): A Sanskrit scholar and a devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan, known for his magnum opus ''[[Narayaneeyam]]''.
* [[Poonthanam Namboothiri]] (1547-1640): A contemporary of Melpathur
* [[Vilwamangalam Swamiyar]] a Brahmin saint, a contemporary of Melpathur and Poonthanamand
* [[Manjula]]
* [[Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar]]

==Dress code for entering the temple==

[[File:A Kerala family in traditional kerala dress at guruvayur temple.JPG|right|thumb|x216px|Devotees at Guruvayur Temple|link=Special:FilePath/A_Kerala_family_in_traditional_kerala_dress_at_Guruvayur_Temple.JPG]]
Strict dress code exists for people who wish to enter the Guruvayur Temple. Men are to wear [[mundu]] around their waist, without any dress covering their chest. But it is allowed to cover the chest region with a small piece of cloth (veshthi). Boys are allowed to wear shorts, but they are also prohibited from wearing a shirt. Girls and women are not allowed to wear any trouser like dresses or short skirts. Women are allowed to wear [[sari]] and girls are to wear long skirt and blouses. Presently the dress code for women have been relaxed with [[shalwar kameez]] ([[Chudidhar|chudidhar pyjamas]]) being allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750030100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120132148/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750030100.htm | archive-date=20 January 2008 |title=Dress code relaxed in Guruvayur |date=27 July 2007 |url-status=dead |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=1 May 2018 }}</ref>

== Temple Elephants ==
[[File:Guruvayoor Kesavan Statue.jpg|thumb|right|The Statue of [[Guruvayur Kesavan]] at [[Guruvayur]].]]
The [[Punnathurkotta|Punnathur kotta]], also known as the ''Anakotta'' (''Elephant Yard'' in English), houses the 56 elephants belonging to the temple. This place is the home to the largest population of captive male Asian elephants in the world. These elephants are donated by devotees to the temple, and due to the preference of donating tusked male elephants, the ratio of male and female elephants living at the Anakotta is skewed.<ref name="peepli.org">{{cite web |url=http://peepli.org/blog/2015/08/18/temple-elephants-and-what-lies-beneath/ |title=Temple elephants… and what lies beneath | Peepli Project Blog |publisher=Peepli.org |access-date=2016-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818182810/http://peepli.org/blog/2015/08/18/temple-elephants-and-what-lies-beneath/ |archive-date=18 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The elephants were initially kept at a compound close to the temple when the numbers were low. However, as more and more devotees donated elephants, the space became insufficient and hence they were moved to a larger property three kilometres away from the temple. Because of their association with the temple, devotees consider several of these elephants as living forms of Lord Guruvayurappa himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guruvayurdevaswom.nic.in/elephants.html |title=Elephant Sanctuary |publisher=[https://www.guruvayurdevaswom.in] |access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref> [[Guruvayur Keshavan]] was the most famous among those.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sreedhar Vijayakrishnan |url=http://indiafacts.org/elephant-in-the-room-glimpses-from-the-past/ |title=Elephant in the Room – Glimpses from the past | IndiaFactsIndiaFacts |publisher=Indiafacts.org |date=2015-12-30 |access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref> The other notable elephant was [[Guruvayur Padmanabhan]], who was the chief of Guruvayur elephants.

The capture, treatment, and living conditions of the elephants in Guruvayur has been subject to criticism.<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted: 12/29/2014 6:14 pm EST |url=http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/6387994 |title=The Indian Temple That's "Ground Zero" for Elephant Torture | Sangita Iyer |publisher=M.huffpost.com |date=2014-12-29 |access-date=2016-12-01}}</ref> In a study, the Animal Welfare Board of India found several violations.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Shekhar, Rukmini|title=Gods in Shackles|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/rukmini-sekhar-on-the-plight-of-temple-elephants/article7796436.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=24 October 2015|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109033357/http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/rukmini-sekhar-on-the-plight-of-temple-elephants/article7796436.ece|archive-date=9 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Restrict visitor timings at Kerala's Guruvayur elephant sanctuary: Animal welfare board|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/restrict-visitor-timings-at-keralas-guruvayur-elephant-sanctuary-animal-welfare-board-1702087.html|website=firstpost.com|date=8 September 2014|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109034641/http://www.firstpost.com/india/restrict-visitor-timings-at-keralas-guruvayur-elephant-sanctuary-animal-welfare-board-1702087.html|archive-date=9 January 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Guruvayur Keshavan|Guruvayur Kesavan]]
* [[Guruvayur Padmanabhan]]
* [[Guruvayur Valiya Keshavan]]
* [[Guruvayurappan]]
* [[Punnathurkotta|Punnattur Kotta]]
* [[Sabarimala]]
* [[Puttingal Temple|Puttinga Temple, Paravur]]
* [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Shri Padmanabhaswami Temple]]
* [[List of Hindu temples in Kerala|Hindu temples of Kerala]]
* [[Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur]]
* [[Mammiyoor Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.guruvayurdevaswom.in Official site of Guruvayur Devasom]

{{Vishnu temples}}
{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}
{{Krishna}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Krishna temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Thrissur district]]
[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Guruvayur]]

Guruvayur Temple - Revision history

XuHzRuDLW at 06:43, 12 March 2026

Flying Bee: Created page with "{{Short description|Hindu temple in Guruvayur, Kerala, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Multiple issues| {{original research|date..."