Guruvayur Temple
| Guruvayur Temple | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Governing body | Guruvayur Devaswom |
| Location | |
| Location | Guruvayur,Kerala |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Traditional Kerala style |
Guruvayur is a famous Krishna temple located in the town of Guruvayur in the Thrissur district of Kerala. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus and is often referred to as "Bhooloka Vaikuntha"[2] which translates to the holy abode of Vishnu on Earth. The divine idol installed here represents the enchanting form of Sree Krishna endowed with the four lustrous arms carrying the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki and the lotus. Adorned with the divine Tulasi garland the idol represents the majestic form of Maha Vishnu as revealed to Vasudeva and Devaki at the time of Krishna avatar;Hence it is also known as Dwaraka of the south (of India). Shri Krishna is popularly known here by different names such as Unni-Kannan (Baby Krishna), Unni-Krishnan, Kannan, Balakrishnan, and Guruvayoorappan.
The presiding deity in the sanctum-sanctorum is Mahavishnu worshipped according to the pooja routines laid down by Adi Sankaracharya and later written formally in the Tantric way by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri (born in 1427). The Chennas Namboodiris are the hereditary Tantris of the Guruvayur temple[3].The temple/pooja routines are strictly followed without any compromise. The Tantri is available full time at the Temple to ensure this. The Melsanti (Chief Priest) enters the Sri Kovil (sanctum sanctorum) at 2:30 AM and does not drink even a glass of water up to the completion of noon poojas at 12:30 PM[4]. The vedic traditions being followed here with absolute perfection and sincerity is the hallmark of the Guruvayur temple.It is important to note here that, even though the shrine is considered to be one of the holiest spots for Vaishnavites, the temple is NOT a part of the 108 Divya Desams.
Divinity of the Location
Lord Siva (Rudra) performed tapas and worshipped Maha Vishnu for years under the waters of the sacred tank located on the northern side of the present day temple and hence this body of water got the name of Rudra-Theertham. In the ancient days, Rudra-Theertham extended up to Mammiyur and Thamarayur (about 3.00 kms away) and was known for its ever blooming lotus flowers.Prechethas (the ten sons of King Pracheenabarhis and Suvarna) came to this place to do tapas to attain Prajapathithwam (to become the king of all kings) from Lord Mahavishnu. Sensing the motive of the Prechethas, Lord Siva emerged out of the Rudratheertham and revealed to them the Rudrageetham, a hymn in praise of Mahavishnu. Siva suggested them to chant it with all their heart to get their wishes fulfilled. The Princes won the favour of Mahavishnu after rigorous tapas for 10,000 years under the waters of Rudra-Theertham by chanting the Rudrageetham[5].
Story of the Idol
The idol of the Guruvayur temple is unique, since it is carved out of a material called Pathalanjana Sila, and is considered extremely sacred. This idol was once worshipped by Maha Vishnu in Vaikunta and Vishnu handed it over to Brahma.King Suthapas and his wife worshipped Brahma for a child and being gratified with their devotion, they received this idol from him and advised them to start worshipping it. Being pleased with their worship, Lord Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them with the boon that he himself will be born as their child in their three re-births in three different forms and in three different situations, with the idol. Thus they got the good fortune to worship the same deity in all three rebirths. They gave birth to Prasnigarbhan who gave to the world the practice of Brahmacharya Vratha (Celibacy) . In their next birth, Suthapas and his wife were born as Kashyapa and Aditi and their son was Vamana. In the third rebirth as Vasudeva and Devaki, the Lord was born as their eighth son Krishna. In the long run , Lord Krishna himself installed this idol in Dwaraka and worshipped it[6].
At the time of Lord Krishna's ascension to Vaikunta, his devotee Uddhava became sad thinking of the departure of the Lord. The Lord then gave Uddava this idol and instructed him to entrust Brihaspathi (the Guru of the Devas) with the task of taking the idol to a suitable location. A deluge had closed in on Dwaraka, but Guru salvaged the idol floating in the water, with the help of his prime disciple Vayu. Guru and Vayu went around the world in search of an ideal place. They met Parasurama in Kerala who led Guru and Vayu to a lush green spot with a beautiful lotus tank where they felt the presence of Lord Siva. Lord Siva along with Parvathy welcomed them and told them that this would be the ideal spot for installing the idol. Siva permitted Guru and Vayu to perform the consecration rites and blessed them that henceforth this place would be known as Guruvayur (since the installation was done by Guru and Vayu).Siva with Parvathy then left to the opposite bank to Mammiyur. It is in memory of this incident that a pilgrimage to Guruvayur is said to be complete only with a worship of Mammiyur Siva also. Vishwakarma, the divine architect built this temple. He made it in such a way that on the day of Vishu (Summer equinox) the first rays of the sun fall straight on to the Lord's feet. The idol was installed in the solar month of Kumbha (February - March) and the ceremony was begun on the seventh asterism of Pooyam and completed on the day of Anizham[7]
Legends
Sri Narada purana mentions Guruvayurpura mahatmyan and describes how Janamejaya was cured of leprosy by taking refuge under the feet of Guruvayuruppa. The Pandavas handed over the kingdom to their grandson Parikshit, and left for the forest to spend their last days. Parikshit died of the curse of a saint, who cursed that Parikshit will die of snake bite by Taksaka, the king of serpents. After the death of Parikshit he was succeeded by his son Janamejaya. Janamejaya conducted a sacrifice to destroy all the snakes of the world including Takshaka, who was the cause of his father'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. [citation needed]
Since 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 Guruvayoor. Atreya told that in the temple at Guruvayyoor the effulgence of Sri Hari is at its best and Vishnu showers his blessings on all devotees. Hearing this, Janamejaya wanted to know the full details of the Sthala purana and the greatness of the temple.[citation needed]
Sthala Puranam
According to legends Bhagwan Vishnu himself had worshipped the idol that we see now at Guruvayur, before donating it to Brahma. Prajapati Sutapa and his wife Prsni prayed to Brahma, and pleased at their devotion Brahma gave them this idol. Sutapa and his wife Prsni worshipped the idol with such devotion that Mahavishnu Himself appeared before them for granting a boon. In their over enthusiasm they asked thrice "We need a son equivalent to thou" . Mahavishnu told them that he himself would take birth as their son in three different janmas (births) and in all those three janmas they would get the vigraha given to them by Brahma.[citation needed]
In the first janma in the Satya Yuga, Mahavishnu was born as Prsnigarbha, as son of Sutapa and Prsni. Prsnigarbha instructed the world the importance of Brahmacharya to the world. In the second janma, Sutapa and his wife Prsni were born as Kashyapa and Aditi and Mahavishnu was born as Vamana. In the Dwapara Yuga, Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki. This idol was given to them by Daumya for worship. Sri Krishna established a big temple at Dwaraka and installed this idol there. At the time of swargaarohana Krishna instructed his devotee Udhava to install the idol at a sacred place with the help of Brihaspathi, the guru of the Devas and Vayu, the God of the winds. They (Guru and Vayu) took the idol and came down to a place down south and installed it. This is why the place got its name Guruvayu, where ur means place. It is also said that Bhagavan Shiva and his consort Devi Parvati were present at the auspicious moment and because there was a lack of space in the temple premises, Shiva moved a little further away, and gives his blessings from the nearby Mammiyoor Temple. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as per tradition. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises. The temple pool is known as the Rudra Thirtham.[citation needed]
Temple Architecture
[8] For a very famous Temple, the Guruvayur temple does not appear as imposing as many other famous temples in India. But the Temple is a classic example of the typical Kerala architecture style with Koothambalam and an Aanappanthal. The walls of the temple sport mural paintings that depict episopdes from the Puranas.
The Sreekovil, where the idol of the Lord is installed, is square in shape with pyramidal roofing. The walls of the sreekovil abound with mural paintings. The door, as well as the roof, is covered in gold. On either side of the door, two statues of 'dwarapalakas' are seen. The idol is seen in the standing posture with four hands (Chaturbahu) that carry the Sankhu (conch), the Sudarshana chakram (a serrated disk), the lotus and the mace[9] . The Lord is worshipped in his many manifestations, the favorite with devotees being the 'Sankalpa' of the Lord as 'Unnikrishnan' (infant Krishna). The idol of the deity is believed to be made of a rare stone known as Patala Anjanam.
In front of the sreekovil, is the Namaskara Mandapam. It is a rectangular shaped structure with pyramidal roofing. The sreekovil is surrounded by a wall structure called the Nallambalam or the Chuttambalam. On the left side of the Sreekovil, a small temple well known as the 'Manikkinar' is located. To the right of the Sreekovil, forming part of the Chuttambalam, the temple kitchen known as 'Madappalli'is seen. The 'Saraswathi Ara', where Saraswathi Pooja is conducted during Navaratri is close to this. The shrine of Ganapathi is to the left of the Sreekovil. Outside the Nallambalam and in front of the entrance the Kodimaram or Dhwajastambham (Flagpole of the temple) can be seen. The balipeetams also are located here.
The Vilakkumatam, which is an intricate array of metal lamps, is attached to the outside walls of the Nallambalam. On auspicious occasions these lamps are lit thus illuminating the whole Temple.
The shrines or Sastha and Devi, the upadevathas, can be seen on the southern side and the northern side respectively.
The whole area between the east gopuram and the west side of the Nalambalam is covered with a tiled roof called Aanappandal or Nadappura which provides shelter for elephants and for the pilgrims waiting for worship and is decorated with pictures and paintings. Annaprasnam and tulabharam are conducted here. To the south of the gopuram there is a very big Temple Bell.
The Koothambalam, where Koothu is conducted, is located at the south-east corner of the Temple while the Pattayappura or the granary is situated on the south-western side.
The northern side of the building is called the Agrasala or the dining hall. This is also used for daily Narayanajapam, Bhagavata discourses and sometimes as the green-room for Krishnanattam.
The passage through the northern wall of the temple leads to the temple pond called Rudratirtham. It is here that the processional deity or the Utsava Vigraha is bathed on the last day of the Utsavam (the annual festival).
Location and Transport
Guruvayur Temple
ഗുരുവായൂര് ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രം Guruvayur Shree Krishna Kshetram | |
|---|---|
Pilgrimage centre | |
| Website | [1] |
The temple is located about 30 km from Thrissur. The nearest railway station is at Guruvayur. Only Guruvayur-Chennai Egmore express train from Chennai via Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli runs upto this station. However a regular passenger train service to Ernakulam via Thrissur is available. The nearest major railway station with better connectivity is at Thrissur. The nearest airport (75 km) is Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery near Kochi. Guruvayur is well connected from all major towns of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Various private and state government owned bus companies operate regular serivices to this temple town.
Dress Code
Strict dress code exists for devotees who wish to enter the 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 supposed to wear any trouser like dresses. Women are expected to wear Sari and young girls are to wear long skirt and blouses.Presently the dress code for women have been relaxed with Salwar Kameez/Churidar being allowed[10]. However most women who are strong believers still visit the temple wearing a Sari or traditional Kerala dresses. Unlike North India, in Kerala and other South Indian states Hindu women do not cover their heads in temples. In Kerala covering of head while worshiping is practised only by Christian and Muslim women. Like all temples in India, footwear is strictly prohibited.
See also
- Guruvayur Satyagraha
- Guruvayoorappa
- Guruvayur Keshavan famous temple elephant
- Mammiyoor Temple
- Mammiyoor
- Punnathur kotta
- Sabarimala
- Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple
Guruvayoor to Sabarimala - The Drive Route
- Guruvayoor East nada -- Mammiyoor junction 0.8 km
- Mammiyoor junction -- Chavakkad 2.84 km
- Chavakkad -- Kodungallur 45.35 km
- Kodungallur -- Paravoor junction 10.95 km
- Paravoor junction -- Varapuzha Bridge 12.05 km
- Varapuzha Bridge -- Edappally junction (Kochi/Cochin) 6.83 km
- Edappally junction -- Vyttila junction 6.0 km
- Vyttila junction -- Aroor bridge 9.05 km
- Aroor bridge -- Aroor junction 1.51 km
- Aroor junction -- Cherthala X-ray Jn 33.04 km
- Cherthala X-ray Jn -- Alappuzha Iron bridge 21.0 km
- Alappuzha Iron bridge -- Kalarcode junction 3.2 km
- Kalarcode junction -- Nedumudy 8.0 km
- Nedumudy -- Mankompu Block Jn 2.8 km
- Mankompu Block Jn -- Perunna(Changanassery) 13.4 km
- Perunna -- Thiruvalla 7.6 km
- Thiruvalla -- Pathanamthitta 30.6 km
- Pathanamthitta -- Mannarkulanji junction 6.1 km
- Mannarkulanji junction -- Vadasserikkara 5.0 km
- Vadasserikkara -- Plappally 26.9 km
- Plappally -- Chalakayam 21.5 km
- Chalakayam -- Pamba 3.0 km
See Also
REFERENCES
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/hevents.shtml
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/minstallation.shtml
- ^ http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Guruvayur_Krishna_Temple
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/mlocation.shtml
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/midol.shtml
- ^ http://www.guruvayurdevaswom.org/minstallation.shtml
- ^ IndiaPilgrim - temples
- ^ mahaVishnu
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750030100.htm
External links
10°35′40″N 76°02′21″E / 10.5945°N 76.03905°E
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Entrance of Guruvayur temple
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Entrance of Guruvayur temple
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Shops in front of Guruvayur temple
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Entrance to Guruvayur temple
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Schedule of daily Pooja
Template:Famous Hindu temples in Kerala
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