Overview.

Guruvayur, a charming coastal town in Kerala, holds immense fame and reverence for its Guruvayurappan temple, where Lord Krishna, the mischievous heart-stealer, is worshipped in his divine form as a boy. Comparable in popularity to the revered Tirupathi temple, Guruvayur attracts thousands of devotees from all corners of the world every day. While historical records are scarce, legends trace the origins of the temple's deity back 5,000 years. It is said that the idol, crafted from the sacred material known as Pathalanjana Sila, was initially worshipped by the mighty Lord Maha Vishnu and later entrusted to Brahma. Across generations, the idol found its way into the care of Sri Krishna's parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, and eventually resided in the city of Dwaraka, where Krishna himself worshipped it.

Before departing from this mortal world, Lord Krishna entrusted the idol to his foremost disciple, Uddhava, with instructions to pass it on to Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas, so that it could be installed in a suitable place and worshipped during the age of Kaliyuga. As fate would have it, Dwarka succumbed to a cataclysmic flood, but Brihaspati, aided by his prime disciple, Vayu, the lord of the wind, managed to salvage the precious idol. In their search for an appropriate location to install the deity, they encountered Parasuram, who was also seeking the idol. Guided by Parasuram, Guru and Vayu arrived at a lush green spot near a beautiful lake. There, amidst the serene surroundings, the divine yogi Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, engrossed in their spiritual contemplation, granted permission to Guru and Vayu to consecrate and install the idol. From that moment, the place came to be known as Guruvayur, signifying the abode of the guru. Shiva and Parvati, having relocated to the opposite bank, settled at Mammiyur. To this day, a pilgrimage to Guruvayur is considered incomplete without offering worship at the Shiva temple in Mammiyur.

While these legends add to the allure of Guruvayur, historical references to the town can be traced back to the Tamil work Kokkasandesam, where it is referred to as Kuruvayur. The term "Kuruvai" translates to "sea" in Tamil, giving rise to the name Kuruvayur. The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century, and the temple finds mention in the hymns of the Alwars, the Vaishnava saints. By the end of the 16th century, Guruvayur had become a prominent pilgrimage center in Kerala.

During the tumultuous historical periods, Guruvayur faced its share of challenges. In 1760, the Dutch looted the temple, plundering its treasures and setting fire to the sacred structure. Six years later, Hyder Ali captured Calicut and subsequently seized control of Guruvayur. However, at the request of Srinivas Rao, the then Governor of Malabar, Hyder Ali benevolently returned the temple to the Hindus through a grant called Devadaya.

In 1788, Tipu Sultan marched towards Malabar, instilling fear among the priests who chose to hide the deity to protect it from destruction. Although Tipu Sultan ravaged the smaller shrines and attempted to set fire to the temple, his efforts were thwarted by a sudden and heavy downpour, which saved the sanctity of the temple from complete devastation.

In subsequent years, individuals such as Chempakassery Namboodiri, Deshavarma Namboodri, and the Ullanad Pannikars devoted their resources, services, and properties to revive the temple. Worship at the temple resumed in 1900, and in 1928, the Zamorin of Calicut was reinstated as the administrator of Guruvayur, a position held until recent times.

In 1970, tragedy struck when a massive fire engulfed the temple, prompting people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, to join forces in firefighting efforts. Although the temple suffered significant damage, the sanctum sanctorum miraculously remained unharmed. Extensive renovations were undertaken, and on April 14th, 1973, Guruvayur temple reopened its doors for worship, restoring its spiritual vibrancy and resuming its role as a sacred sanctuary for devotees.

In conclusion, Guruvayur stands as a testament to devotion and resilience. This small coastal town in Kerala holds the renowned Guruvayurappan temple, where Lord Krishna, as the divine child, captures the hearts of worshippers. Legends shroud the temple's origins, tracing its roots back to Lord Vishnu and Sri Krishna himself. Historical references to Guruvayur can be found in ancient texts and records, confirming its status as a revered pilgrimage center. Throughout history, the temple faced challenges, including looting, destruction, and fires, but the unwavering faith of devotees and the efforts of individuals dedicated to its restoration ensured its survival. Today, Guruvayur continues to welcome devotees from around the world, providing a sacred space for spiritual solace and connection with the divine.

3:00AM–12:30PM, 4:30PM–9:00PM