Amidst the scenic beauty of Kerala, God’s own country lies the famous Guruvayurappan Temple in the vibrant city of Thrissur. The city is the abode of Lord Krishna, who has made it popularly known as the Dwarka of The South. The temple is well known for its healing power and attracts devotees from all corners of the country. Inside the shrine, you can see a mesmerising idol of Lord Krishna adorned with garlands of basil leaves and pearls, which is indeed a peaceful sight to behold. Furthermore, the intricate architecture, the peaceful air filled with the fragrance of incense and the powerful chants of prayers evoke a sense of faith and calmness among the devotees.
Guruvayurappan Temple Architecture
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The Guruvayurappan Temple has been constructed in the Kerala architectural style with detailed intricacy on each wall. The flooring is made of granite, and each pillar holds statues. The walls are covered with murals from the 17th century. The gates of the temple open in the east direction and leading you to the temple are bejewelled with the idol of Lord Krishna.
The idol is a four-armed Vishnu standing with a lotus, mace, discus and a conch in each hand. Shri Krishna’s idol is believed to be made of a special stone called Patala Anjamana. The stone is said to have remarkable healing and magical properties. The idol is seated on the Sreekovil, a sacred sanctum of the temple. There are images of other gods in this area as well.
You would see the marvellous Dwajasthambam, a 70-foot-high gold-plated flag post and a 14-foot-high Deepasthambam, also known as a pillar of light. It is a sight to see when it is lit in the evening. If you have time, visit Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, a short distance from the temple.
Must Read: Thrissur Temples
Festivals at Guruvayurappan Temple
The temple is a worship centre and hosts multiple festivals and cultural programs. Many people coordinate their Guruvayur temple darshan timings to be a part of these festivals and enjoy the vibrance. Here is a list of the festivals which are grandly celebrated in Guruvayur temple location:
1. Guruvayur Utsavam
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This popular festival is celebrated for ten days in February or March. The Festival begins by hoisting a flag on the 70-foot-high Dwajasthambam. The elephant race takes place on the first day, and for the next six days, a procession of elephants is carried.
On the 8th day, offerings are made to the god, who is known as Utsava Bali. The 9th day is the hunting journey, symbolising the destruction of one’s desires, anger, and jealousy. On the last day, eleven circumambulations are done, and then the lord is seated back in the sanctum. The flag is brought down, marking the end of the festival.
2. Ekadasi
The Ekadasi festival is celebrated in Guruvayur on the 11th day of Vrishchika, which falls during the Mandala season. The Navami and Dasami days are also considered significant. The month preceding the Vilakku Ekadasi is marked by offerings made by individuals, families, and organisations.
Ekadasi festival in Guruvayur is celebrated during the Mandala season on the 11th day of Vrishchika. The Navami and Dasami are also significant. The month before the Vilakku Ekadasi is marked by offerings made by individuals, families, and organisations.
3. Vishu
This is celebrated in April as the first day of the Malayali calendar. According to this, the first thing a person sees when waking up determines their year ahead. Hence, devotees line up and blindfold themselves to worship Lord Krishna.
4. Kuchela Day
The Kuchela festival is celebrated from December to January. According to the mythology, Kuchela was Krishna’s friend and went to see him for help. Despite his condition, he did not go empty-handed and got a gift of beaten rice.
5. Janmashtami
This festival is celebrated on the 8th day of Shravan and marks the birth of the temple’s deity. It is the most auspicious day, and followers visit the temple from all over the country.
6. Guruvayur Chembai Sangeetholsavam
The annual music festival is celebrated in honour and memory of Chembaivaidyanath Bhagavatar, an avid devotee of Lord Krishna. It lasts 15 days and is filled with music, vibrance, and joy.
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Guruvayurappan Temple Timings
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Guruvayur temple darshan timings start from the break of dawn at 3 AM. The temple is open to all the devotees from 3 AM to 9 PM with a break between 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The temple follows an elaborate routine of poojas done by the priest each having a different meaning and importance. Depending on the crowd, it might take 5 to 6 hours to complete the temple visit. We have prepared Guruvayur temple pooja timings to make it easier for you to plan for your visit:
| 3 AM to 3:20 AM | Nirmalayam |
| 3:20 AM to 3:30 AM | Tailabhishekam, Vakacharthu and Sathabhishekam |
| 3:30 AM to 4:15 AM | Malar Nivedyam and Alankaram |
| 4:15 AM to 4:30 AM | Usha Nivedyam |
| 4:30 AM to 6:15 AM | Ethirettu pooja and Usha Pooja |
| 7:15 AM to 9 AM | Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam |
| 11:30 AM to 12:30 AM | Ucha pooja |
The temple remains closed between 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
| 4:30 PM to 5 PM | Sreeveli |
| 6 PM to 6:45 PM | Deeparadhana |
| 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM | Athaza pooja naivedyam |
| 7:45 Pm to 8:15 PM | Athazha Pooja |
| 8:45 PM to 9 PM | Athazha Seeveli |
| 9 PM to 9:15 PM | Thrippuka and Olavayana |
Guruvayur Temple Dress Code
Guruvayurappan Temple has a particularly strict dress code, and those who do not comply cannot enter the temple. So, make sure to abide by the rules for hassle-free entry and a respectful visit while respecting the culture.
- Women can dress in decent Indian wear, like a suit or saree.
- Only traditional dresses are allowed; girls may wear long skirts with blouses.
- Men are expected to be in dhoti or mundu, but no upper wear like a shirt, t-shirt or vest is allowed.
- Anything made of leather must not be taken inside the temple.
- Wearing sandals or shoes is strictly prohibited inside the premises of the temple.
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Best Time To Visit Guruvayurappan Temple
Guruvayurappan Temple has the best weather from October to February, with temperatures in the range of 23 to 32 degrees Celsius. This period has comfortable weather and relatively less rainfall, so it is suitable for exploring other places, depending on your time limit.
Thrissur has extremely high humidity and high-temperature summer seasons, making it extremely difficult to enjoy the trip. The summer temperature ranges from 25 to 40 degrees Celsius. In monsoon, the land of Guruvayurappan Temple gets bountiful rains with a comfortable temperature of 22 to 30 degrees Celsius. If you are not looking forward to attending any specific aarti, you can avoid the crowd by visiting either very early in the morning or by the late hours of the evening.
How To Reach Thrissur?
By Flight
Thrissur has vastly connected roadways and railways. You can reach it here from the nearest Cochin International Airport, 55 km away. You can even opt for the Kozhikode airport, located 80 km from the city. You can opt for a private taxi or cab from the airport to reach Guruvayur temple.
By Train
The Thrissur railway station is connected to major cities of the country. However, Guruvayur has a railway station with a few trains on the line. You can book a train from Thrissur Railway station to reach Guruvayur station, followed by a 10-minute cab ride to Guruvayurappan Temple.
By Road
Visitors can reach the city by private taxi and enjoy the views on their road trip. Devotees from nearby cities like Mangalore, Coimbatore, and Madras can also opt for KSRTC buses. The city has a range of public and private transport and well-connected roads, so you can easily tour the city.
Further Read: Best Places To Visit In Thrissur
Kerala’s Guruvayurappan Temple has stood for nearly five centuries and is an important Hindu shrine, especially for the Krishna devotees. A visit to the temple would give you spiritual bliss found nowhere. If this guide interests you in planning a vacation to this city, here are some of the best plans for booking your trip to Thrissur. Visit this spiritual haven and immerse yourself in the devotion to Lord Krishna.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Guruvayurappan Temple
Are there any entry fees for the Guruvayurappan Temple?
Entry is free of cost; however, there are charges for taking part in certain rituals at the temple.
Are mobiles allowed in the temple?
No electronic devices are allowed inside the Guruvayurappan Temple.
How much time is required for Guruvayurappan Temple darshan?
A full temple tour requires around 5 to 6 hours.
Is there free food in Guruvayurappan Temple?
There is an arrangement of free food from 10 AM to 7:30 PM for all the devotees.
Which temple should you visit after Guruvayurappan Temple?
Mammiyur Temple, located in Thrissur, should be visited.
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