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Thread: Guruvayoor Temple

  1. #1
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    Default Guruvayoor Temple


    Guruvayur Temple is an important and popular pilgrimage in Kerala. Located in Guruvayur town of Thrissur district, Guruvayur Temple is easily accessible by regular bus services that are available throughout the state of Kerala. The nearest airport is sited as Kochi that lies at a distance of 90 kms from Guruvayoor. Thrissur comprises the nearest railway station at a run of 29 kms from the temple.


    Guruvayur Temple is supposed to have been 5,000 years old. In those times, it was known as “Bhooloka Vaikunta” (Abode of God on Earth). The term ‘Guruvayur’ is said to have been derived from two words, ‘Guru’ (preceptor of the gods) and ‘Vayu’ (god of winds). The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is also known by the name of Guruvayoorappan. Due to its reverence, Guruvayur Temple is also known as ‘Dakshina Dwaraka’ (Southern Dwarka).

    The presiding deity is Lord Krishna is the form of Maha Vishnu (Lord Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The image is depicted in a standing posture, which has four hands holding Shankh (conch), Sudarshana Chakra (a serrated disk), Lotus and Mace. The image is worshipped as Balakrishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is carved out of a rare stone named Patala Anjana. The walls of the main shrine are festooned with beautiful mural paintings and intricate carvings.


    Festivals
    Festivals like Ulsavam, Vishu, Ashtami Rohini, Mandalam, Ekadasi, Ashtami Rohini, Kuchela’s Day, Chembai Music Festival and Narayaneeyam day are the major occasions that observe special celebrations at Guruvayur Temple. On special events, the sacred images are brought out to take in a procession in Guruvayur town. At the time of festivals, the entire is decorated with inestimable butter lamps, which truly recreates the impression of the former age.


    Legend
    The Legend says that when the temple of Dwarka was submerged under the sea, Guru and Vayu were assigned the job to discover an equally holy place for a fresh temple. Ultimately, when they discovered the site, the place came to be known as Guruvayur and the deity, Guruvayurappan. The main idol is said to have got installed by Brihaspati (Guru) and Vayu, by the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

    The oldest mention of Guruvayur is traceable in ‘Kokasandesam’, a fourteenth century Tamil work. In this scripture, it is stated as Kuruvayur. Guruvayoor has scores of references in the works of 16th century. The temple actually got famous with Melpathur’s ‘Narayaniyam’. At this abode of Lord, maximum number of marriages is observed every year.

    Architecture
    The structure of the temple gives the hints of typical Kerala temple architecture. The temple is believed to have been designed by the divine architect, Vishwakarma. The temple is erected in such a way that Sun God (Surya) himself pays homage to Vishnu on Vishu day. At this juncture, the first rays of Sun descend directly at the feet of Vishnu. The main doorway to the shrine is from the eastern side. Form the main doorway; one can observe the idol of the Lord.

    In the temple, the ‘Chuttambalam’ is a gold-plated ‘dhwajastambham’ or flag-mast, which extends to the height of 33.5 meters. The ”dipastambham’ or pillar of lamps, is another attraction that looks fascinating when lightened in the evenings. The doorway to inner sanctum is sited just ahead of this pillar. On two raised plinths, there are ten beautifully carved pillars on the either side of the passage. It was here the golden slokas of ‘Narayaniyam’ were written, in the praise of Lord Guruvayur.

    How To Reach
    By Road
    Guruvayur is well connected with the other parts of the country by road and rail. The National highway is passing through Kunnamkulam which is just 8 kms away from Guruvayur. The private bus stand is towards the east of the temple, near Manjulal (the banyan tree). It is half an hour drive by car from Thrissur and busses ply every 5 minutes from

    Thrissur to Guruvayur.
    Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs bus services from all major locations of the state and few inter-state services. The bus stand is 500 meters to the west of the temple. Both KSRTC and private busses offer interstate services to all major South Indian cities like Madras, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Coimbatore, Thiruchandoor, Mysore, Mangalore, Uduppi, Mookambika etc.

    By rail
    Guruvayur has got a railway station towards the east of the temple which is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. It has got computerised ticket booking facility and tickets can be booked to any locations from here. One from the Mangalore side can get down at the Kuttippram station. Regular buss services are available from there to Guruvayur. Those from the Madras/Trivandrum side can get down at Thrissur.

    By Air
    Kochi international airport (Nedumbassery) is 80 kms from Guruvayur and the Calicut airport is 100 kms away. All major international flight services are operated from these airports.



    Keywords: Guruvayur Temple , pilgrimage, Guruvayoor,Bhooloka Vaikunta, God on Earth,Guru,preceptor of the gods,Vayu,god of winds, Lord Krishna, Guruvayoorappan,Dakshina Dwaraka,Southern Dwarka, Maha Vishnu, Lord Vishnu, Shankh (conch), Sudarshana Chakra (a serrated disk), Lotus , Mace, Balakrishna, Patala Anjana,Ulsavam, Vishu, Ashtami Rohini, Mandalam, Ekadasi, Ashtami Rohini, Kuchela’s Day, Chembai Music Festival , Narayaneeyam day ,Guruvayur town,butter lamps,Dwarka, Brihaspati , Vayu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati,Kokasandesam, Melpathur’s ‘Narayaniyam, Kerala temple, divine architect, Vishwakarma, Sun God ,Surya,feet of Vishnu,Chuttambalam,dhwajastambham,flag-mast,dipastambham, pillar of lamps, plinths, Lord Guruvayur,National highway, Kunnamkulam , Manjulal,the banyan tree,KSRTC, Madras, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Coimbatore, Thiruchandoor, Mysore, Mangalore, Uduppi, Mookambika ,Kochi international airport,Nedumbassery.

  2. #2
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    Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan



    He fires the enthusiasm among the elephant lovers by the elegant beauty and the majestic look. The most popular elephant of Kerala owned by Guruvayoor Devaswom. He has the privilege to carry the 'golden thidambu' of Lord Guruvayoorappa during 'Ekadasi Vilakku'and 'Arattu Ezhunnallippu' since 1962. People had a strong belief that he had the blessings of Lord Guruvayoorappa. He has been considered as the rebirth of 'Eiravatha' the elephant of King Indra. So his presence attracts the elephant lovers and devotees. He has all the auspicious signs of the elephant explained in 'Mathangaleela' -a book about the elephants. He is also known for the calm and obedient behavior and has never run amok during a festival.

    In all festivities and processions he will carry the 'thidambu' the idol of the god and thus he will be the key attraction of the people. He is a valuable star among the elephants of Guruvayoor elephant sanctuary. He holds the record of for bagging the highest fee ('ekkam') of Rs.2,22,222/- for participating one day procession at Nenmara-Vallangi Vela in April 2004.

    He was caught from the Nilambur forest He was presented to the (nadakkiruthal) Guruvayoor temple by E.P.Brothers (Ottappalam Kerandathu Puthenveettil Achuthan Nair, Madhavan Nair) of Ottapplam in the year 1954.



    Keywords: Gajaratnam Guruvayoor Padmanabhan, elegant beauty,majestic look, popular elephant , Guruvayoor Devaswom,golden thidambu, Lord Guruvayoorappa,Ekadasi Vilakku, 'Arattu Ezhunnallippu,Eiravatha,elephant of King Indra, elephant lovers, devotees,Mathangaleela,a book the elephants,thidambu,Guruvayoor elephant sanctuary,ekkam,Nenmara-Vallangi Vela , Nilambur forest ,nadakkiruthal,Guruvayoor temple .



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