Geography and Climate

Guruvayur, the abode of Lord Sree Guruvayurappan, is located 29 kms north west to the cultural capital of the 'God's own country', Kerala. This narrow coastline strip of land on the south western edge of Indian subcontinent is one of the 10 paradises in the world. The geographical and bio diversity of Kerala with the coastline beaches and stretches of backwaters lined with the swaying coconut palms on one side and evergreen forests of the western ghats with very rich wildlife on the other side makes it a real paradise to the alien traveler.

The best time to visit Guruvayur is from August to March.

A 1936 law prohibits any non-hindu from entering the temple and in case your religious orientation is in doubt all you have to do is to get a piece of paper certifying your religious credentials from an Arya Samaj.

Sl No             Place                      Distance
1                     Alleppey                 108 km
2                     Bekel                      283 km
3                     Cochin                   108 km
4                     Kaladi                     83 km
5                     Kannur                   222 km
6                     Kanyakumari        419 km
7                     Kappad                 132 km
8                      Kollam                 258 km
9                      Kottayam             169 km
10                    Kovalam              346 km

 Guruvayur is well connected with the other parts of the country by road and rail. The National highway is passing through Kunnamkulam which is just 8 kms away from Guruvayur. The private bus stand is towards the east of the temple, near Manjulal (the banyan tree). It is half an hour drive by car from Thrissur and busses ply every 5 minutes from Thrissur to Guruvayur.
GURUVAYUR DEVASWOM

Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs bus services from all major locations of the state and  few inter-state services. The bus stand is 500 meters to the west of the temple. Both KSRTC and private busses offer interstate services to all major South Indian cities like Madras, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Coimbatore, Thiruchandoor, Mysore, Mangalore, Uduppi, Mookambika etc.

Guruvayur has got a railway station towards the east of the temple which is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. It has got computerised ticket booking facility and tickets can be booked to any locations from here. One from the Mangalore side can get down at the Kuttippram station. Regular buss services are available from there to Guruvayur. Those from the Madras/Trivandrum side can get down at Thrissur.

Kochi international airport (Nedumbassery) is 80 kms from Guruvayur and the Calicut airport is 100 kms away. All major international flight services are operated from these airports.

FESTIVALS

OTHER RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

MANDALA POOJA   

Mandala pooja begins on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam. This is a period of 41 days for the pilgrimage to the shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala. Most of the devotees who go to Sabarimala also visit Guruvayur.

At Guruvayur, there will be special abhishekam with panchagavya (mixture of five products of cow - milk, curd, ghee, urine and cow dung) on all days. Many devotees visit the shrine to partake of it, since it is believed to burn up all inner impurities. Chakkiyar Koothu takes place after lunch. Krishnanattam may be performed after Athazha pooja . Mandalam comes to end with Kalabhaattam (pouring mixture of sandal paste, saffron, camphor and rose water) on the deity. This special offering is made only once in a year and it is the hereditary privilege of the Zamorin Rajas.

Besides, the three seevelis during mandalam will be conducted with three elephants and they take five rounds around the temple. The famous Guruvayur Ekadasi festival, Melpathur statue installation day, Narayaneeyam day and Kuchela day also occur during Mandalam, thus making it the busiest season at Guruvayur. During this season, special arrangements are made for 'kettunira' and 'malayidal' in front of the Sastha shrine inside the temple.

SARASWATHY POOJA

Of the 9 days of the Navarathri festival, the last three days are specially sacred for goddess Saraswathy who presides over the world of learning and fine arts. Children are initiated into learning on the last day known as Vidyarambham day. The   training in Krishnanattam, Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, (traditional martial art-form of Kerala) etc. generally begins on this day.

THIRUVONAM [02-09-09]

On the Uthradam day of the month of Chingam (August- September), thousands   of devotees bring "Kazhcha kulas" (bunches of Banana) as offering to the Lord. These bananas are given to all the elephants of Guruvayur Devaswom on the same day   or next day. On Thiruvonam day, free Onam feast with Pazhaprathaman is given to thousands of devotees.

ASHTAMI ROHINI [11-09-09]

Ashtami Rohini in Chingam (August-September) is the birthday of Lord Krishna. Appam and Palpayasam are considered to be important offerings on this day. Special feast is arranged for the devotees.

PUTHARI

It means new rice. It is a formal beginning of the use of rice from the new harvest season for offering in the temple. Puthari payasam is offered to Lord; it takes place in the month of Chingam.

VAISHAKHA

The Vaishakha is the lunar month starting from new moon of Medam (April-May). The Vaishakha vratham (fast) is auspicious and sacred to Vishnu. The vratham can be followed in the routine of morning ablutions , feeding the poor, keeping fast, taking prasadams from the offerings to the Lord and participating in the divine discourses. The third day of this month - Akshaya-thrithiya - birth day of Balarama, is the most auspicious. Palpayasam is the main offering and feast is also arranged during the entire Vaishakha month.

VISHU [14-04-09]

The first day of Medam ( mid April) is the new year day for Malayalees. People believe that the fortunes for the next year depend on the nature of the objects one sees in the morning of Vishu. For this purpose, Kani (an omen) with articles like yellow flowers, rice, betel nuts, golden coins etc. is displayed in front of the deity. Thousands prefer to see Kani at Guruvayur on Vishu morning. Crowds stay overnight inside the courtyard of temple, which is specially permitted on this day. They close their eyes and set their eyes on the Kani and deity, as the doors are opened at 2.30 am for darshan.

KUCHELADINAM [16-12-09]

The first Wednesday of the month of   Dhanu (December) is celebrated as Kuchela Dinam. It is based on the belief that it was on this day that Kuchela, an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna offered Avil (parched rice) to him and in return attained eternal bliss and material property . Avil offering is considered auspicious on this day.

SAMKRAMAM

The Samkrama Sandhyas, a very auspicious occasion for worship of the Lord, is observed by the devotees on the eve of each Malayalam month in the spirit of intense devotion and piety. Thousands of people stream in to the temple for a darshan of the Lord at the time of Deeparadhana. Spiritual discourses and various cultural programmes befitting Hindu faith are held at Melpathur Auditorium.  

 CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

FESTIVALS AND PROGRAMMES

The major cultural festival  conducted every year at Guruvayur is Chembai Sangeetholsavam. This is to commemorate the great Carnatic musician and an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan who used to perform here on the Ekadasi day every year. This grand cultural event comes in December. Poonthanam day and Narayaneeyam day are also celebrated here. Kavi sammelanam, debates literary seminars etc. are the specialties

Religious Places in Kerala and the story goes that the temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was destroyed when the holy city of Dwarka was submerged under the sea. Guru, the preceptor of the gods and Vayu, the god of the winds were entrusted with the job of finding an equally holy place for anew temple. When they finally selected a site, the place came to known as Guruvayur and the deity, Guruvayurappan. In the 'chuttambalam' of the other enclosure of the temple, is the tall 33.5 m high, gold-plated 'dhwajastambham' or flag-mast. The 7 m high 'dipastambham' or pillar of lamps, is a splendid spectacle when lit the evenings.

Shopping Fiesta

No major shopping items except religious paraphernalia. Visit the East Nada and West Nada for pictures and idols of Guruvayurappan, rings with this image and religious audio-visuals. Oil lamps made in brass and bell metals are other popular items here. South Indian garments are also available. The Khadi Gramadyog Bhawan provides rudraksha beads and religious books, which can also be bought from around the temple..

GURUVAYOOR MUSEUM

There is a museum in the office Annex building at East nada. Many rare offerings by devotees to the Lord are exhibited here. The museum is kept open from 8.00 am to 8.00pm on all days except Tuesdays and other  holydays.

Devaswom Museum:

This museum houses an interesting collection of offerings made to the lord, including toy planes, house models, flute and a rifle.

Indian Overseas Bank
Veeramani Building,
North Nada, Guruvayur    
   

State Bank of India
Railway Station Road,
East Nada, Guruvayur

Panjab National Bank
Veeramani Arcade, West nada       

Syndicate Bank
Nenmini Building,
East Nada, Guruvayur    

Canara Bank
Vaijayanthi Shopping Complex
Near Melpathur Auditorium
East Nada, Guruvayur