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Temples
- Kerala
The
Southern State of Kerala has much to offer in terms of its hoary
temple tradition. Kerala temple architecture is unique, and it is in
harmony with the natural resources and the climatic conditions of
the region. Elephants are an integral part of several of the
festivities. A colorful calendar of festivals and strict worship
protocols are associated with the hundreds of temples that line the
landscape of Kerala.
Guruvayoor
Temple - Kerala
Location
:
29 Kms North-West Of Thrissur, Kerala
Popularly
Known as : Dwaraka of the South
Dedicated
To :
Lord Krishna
Significance
:
Most Important Hindu Pilgrim Centre in Kerala
A temple,
famous all over India as a pilgrim centre, dedicated to Lord Krishna
popularly known as Guruvayoorappan. The Sreekrishna idol of this
temple is believed to have been worshipped by Vasudevar and Devaki
at Dwaraka. This shrine popularly known as ‘Dakshina Dwaraka’ (Dwaraka
of south) is in the form of a rectangle. There are a lot of mural
paintings around the ‘Shrikovil’ (Shrine).
Guruvayoor,
where the famous Sree Krishna Temple is situated, is one of the most
sacred and important pilgrim centres of kerala. The walls of the
sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and
carvings.
In Kerala, this is probably the only temple that hosts the maximum
number of marriages and rice feeding ceremonies (the ritual first
meal for infants). It was also the hub of the 'Guruvayoor
Sathyagraha' , a historic movement demanding temple entry rights for
the 'so called' lower castes.
The historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to local
belief, the temple was created by 'Guru', the 'preceptor of the
gods' and 'Vayu', the 'god of winds'. The eastern 'nada' is the main
entrance to the shrine.
In the 'Chuttambalam' (outer enclosure) is a 33.5-m tall gold-plated
'Dwajastambham' (flagpost). There is also a 7 m high 'Deepastambham'
(pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a
truly brillant spectacle, when lit. The square 'Sreekovil' is the
sacred sanctum sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity.
Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree
Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed
inside the temple.
Punnathoorkotta, which is at a distance of 2 kms from Guruvayoor is
home of 50 temple elephants, offers unusual spectacles of the gentle
pachyderm.
Timings: The temple is open
03:00 am to 01:00 pm & 04:30pm to 08:30 pm.
Conducted Tours: DTPC conducts
daily tours from Guruvayoor Bhakti Marg Circuit. The tour starts
from Guruvayoor in the morning.
It then proceeds to Thriprayar, Koodal Manikyam, Vadakkumnathan
Temple, Chettuva and returns to Guruvayoor by late evening.
How
to Get There
Air
: Nearest international airport is at Nedumbassery (87
km).
Road
: The place is well connected to neighbouring places by
good motorable roads
Temples
Guruvayoor
Temple || Irinjalakuda
KoodalManikyam Temple || Padmanabha
Swami Temple
Kodungallur
Bhagavathy Temple || Vadakkunnathan
Temple
Sabarimala
Temple
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