Guruvayoor
Temple of Thrissur is a very important and famous pilgrimage. The temple
is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Lord Krishna, an
avatar of Lord Vishnu. The town where this temple is located is known by
the name of Thrissur Guruvayoor. The temple of Guruvayur in Trichur,
Kerala is worth a visit and just a mere sight of the Lord's idol in its
grandeur is enough to make you feel pure and blessed. The temple follows
a strict decorum and only Hindus are allowed inside. The temple is said
to have been built by Guru (preceptor of Gods) and Vayu (God of winds).
The idol is built out of a rare stone called Patala Anjana. The idol of Lord Vishnu is shown having four arms, carrying a conch, a discus (Sudharshana Chakra), a mace and a lotus and is decked with a Tulasi (basil leaves) and rose garlands and pearl necklaces. The walls of the main temple shrine are decorated with splendid paintings that depict stories from the life of Lord Krishna. There are many paintings that belong to the 17th century that adorn the sacred walls here. The roof and two doors inside the temple are covered with gold. In the eastern side in front of the temple entrance stands a tall Dhwajasthambam (flag post), which measures 33 meters and is entirely gold plated. Right adjacent to it, one can find a 7-meter high pillar of lamps known as the Dipastambham. This magnificent pillar of lamps has 13 circular receptacles on top of each other that look brilliant when lit in the evening. Other than the main idol of Lord Vishnu, one can also find idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Durga. The temple holds the maximum number of weddings and "Annaprasanam", which means feeding rice to a child for the first time.
How to Reach Guruvayoor Temple
By Air
The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport located at a distance of 80 kilometers.
By Rail
Guruvayoor has an independent railway station just a few kilometers from the temple. Else, one can access the temple from the Thrissur railway station, which is just an hour's drive from here.
By Roads
Guruvayoor is well connected by a wide network of roads to all major towns and cities of Kerala and is easily accessible.
