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Guruvayoor

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Guruvayoor
Guruvayoor (also written Guruvayur) is a small town in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala.Guruvayoor is most famous for its temple, which is many centuries old and one of the most important in Kerala.The temple's deity is Lord Guruvayurappan.It is well connected by rail and road to Thrissur and hence to the rest of the country.

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The attraction here is the famous 16th century Krishna (Guruvayoor) temple. Guruvayoor is one temple town where the temple serves as the centre of its social, cultural and political structure. The majority of those living here have their lives revolving round the temple and its activities. This place could peacefully exist without any governance other than the temple devosam board.

The temple dates back to the 16th century is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayoor, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple that Melpatur Narayan Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem 'Narayaneeyam'. The temple is renowned for its healing powers. Several offerings are made to the deity here from the simple 'Archana' offering of flowers to the expensive and elaborate 'Udayastamana' pooja or 'Thulabharam' where a devotee is weighed against offering of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts.

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Image Gallery

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GuruvAyurappan SriVeli
GuruvAyurappan SriVeli
Sunset at Guruvayur
Sunset at Guruvayur
Guruvayur main gate
Guruvayur main gate
Guruvayur Temple gate
Guruvayur Temple gate
Sri Krishna temple
Sri Krishna temple
The statue of Garuda (Eagle) at Guruvayur entrance
The statue of Garuda (Eagle) at Guruvayur entrance

History

The Guruvayur temple was known as "Bhooloka Vaikuntha" and is believed to be at least 5,000 years old. The main idol is believed to have been installed by Brihaspati and Vayu, and to have been blessed by Shiva and Parvati. The temple is believed to be built by Vishvakarman, the divine architect. Over the years, Guruvayur has increased in popularity, especially after the 16th century when it became one of the most popular pilgrimage centres in Kerala. The earliest reference for Guruvayur is found in a fourteenth century Tamil work 'Kokasandesam', in which it is described as Kuruvayur. Many references about Guruvayur can be seen in many works dated as early as 16th century . But it was Melpathur's Narayaneeyam that made the Temple famous.

On November 30,1970, a fiery blaze broke out in the temple complex. It began from the Western Chuttambalam and raged for five hours, burning everything in its path except the sanctified Sreekovil. The Vigraha (murti), shrines of Ganapati, Sastha, Bhagavati and the flag staff remained miraculously untouched. People from all walks of life, irrespective of age, caste, creed and religion fought the fire.


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Geography and Climate

Guruvayur, the abode of Lord Sree Guruvayurappan, is located 29 kms north west to the cultural capital of the 'God's own country', Kerala. This narrow coastline strip of land on the south western edge of Indian subcontinent is one of the 10 paradises in the world. The geographical and bio diversity of Kerala with the coastline beaches and stretches of backwaters lined with the swaying coconut palms on one side and evergreen forests of the western ghats with very rich wildlife on the other side makes it a real paradise to the alien traveler.


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Economy

As of the Indian census of 2001, Guruvayur had a population of 21,187. Males constitute 46% of the population and females 54%. Guruvayur has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 85%. In Guruvayoor, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.


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Must see at Guruvayoor.

Chavakkad    Elephant Sanctuary Punnathur Kotta    Goloka Retreats    Guruvayoor Temple    Kaladi    Palayur (Palayoor)   


Guruvayoor Weather


Cities Near Guruvayoor

Within Kms.
Munnar    Thekkady    Mysore    Kochi    Salem    Hassan    Coimbatore    Kovalam    Nagapattinam    Thrissur    Varkala    Rameshwaram    Bangalore    Kottayam    Wayanad    Idukki    Coorg    Kannur    Pondicherry    Chikmagalur    Alappuzha    Kollam    Udupi    Mangalore   

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Hotels in Guruvayoor.

Krishna Inn    Sopanam Heritage Guruvayoor   

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Cities of Kerala

Alappuzha    Guruvayoor    Idukki    Kannur    Kochi    Kollam    Kottayam    Kovalam    Munnar    Thekkady    Thrissur    Varkala    Wayanad   

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