Guruvayoor Craft
10+ Guruvayur Temple Facts in 2024
Guruvayur Temple, also known as Sri Krishna Temple, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located in Guruvayur, Kerala, India. Here are some interesting facts about the Guruvayur Temple:
Deity: The primary deity of Guruvayur Temple is Lord Krishna, who is worshipped in his infant form, known as Guruvayurappan or Guruvayoorappan.
Presiding Deity: The idol of Lord Krishna in Guruvayur is believed to be over 5,000 years old and is made of a rare stone known as "Patala Anjana."
Legend: According to legend, the idol worshipped in Guruvayur Temple was originally worshipped by Lord Brahma himself. It was later handed over to Lord Vishnu, who in turn passed it on to Lord Shiva. Finally, Lord Shiva entrusted the idol to Lord Krishna, who installed it at Guruvayur.
Rituals: The temple follows a strict dress code, and devotees are required to wear traditional attire. Men are required to wear dhoti and shawl, while women are expected to wear sarees or traditional Kerala attire.
Elephants: Guruvayur Temple is known for its procession of elephants during festivals. The temple owns a number of elephants, and they play a significant role in the rituals and festivals.
Daily Schedule: The temple follows a strict daily schedule of rituals, including several poojas and a grand deeparadhana (ceremony of lamps) in the evening.
Nivedyam: The temple offers a special kind of rice known as 'Nivedyam' to the deity, which is prepared using a particular variety of red rice called 'Jeerakasala.'
Festivals: The most celebrated festival at Guruvayur Temple is the "Utsavam" or annual festival, which lasts for 10 days. Thousands of devotees from different parts of India attend these festivities.
Offerings: Devotees offer various types of offerings to the deity, including Tulabharam (offering items equal to one's weight in the temple balance), Thulabhara (offering of materials like coconut, banana, sugar, etc.), and Venna (offering of ghee).
Renovation: The temple has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries. The present structure of the temple was built in the 16th century.
Dress Code: As mentioned earlier, there is a strict dress code for entering the temple. This is to maintain the sanctity of the religious place.
Non-Hindu Entry: Non-Hindus are generally not allowed inside the temple. However, there are certain exceptions, and a special permission process exists for researchers and government officials.