Guruvayur, the abode of Lord Sree Guruvayurappan is popularly known as the Dwarka of the South. Guruvayur is a municipal town in the Thrissur District of the ‘God’s Own Country,’ Kerala State. This coastal area is one of the 10 paradises in the world. The geography and biodiversity of Kerala, with its coastline, stretches of backwaters lined by the Western Ghats, and evergreen forests makes it a real paradise to the foreign traveler.
Situated in the middle of a large courtyard, the main shrine is surrounded by arcades, souvenir shops, an open theater, a vast pond, and several other buildings. According to myths, the idol of the famous Sri Krishna Temple is reportedly worshipped by Lord Brahma. Every day, thousands of men, women, and children seek darshan (audience) of Lord Guruvayur (Lord Krishna). Apart from pilgrims and tourists, brides and grooms flock here daily to get their weddings blessed.
If you’re planning your first trip to this beautiful place, a number of exciting things are in store for you. Here are some of the best things you can experience in one of the most significant pilgrimage centers in India. Don’t miss out on these amazing sights at Guruvayur.
1. Guruvayur Temple
The decades-old temple has its own glory and grandeur, because of the charm of the idol and divinity enshrined in the sanctum-sanctorum (central shrine) of the temple. Lord Mahavishnu, the presiding deity in the Garbhagraha (central shrine), is worshiped according to the rituals laid down by Adi Sankaracharya and later written into the Tantrasamuchaya by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri (born in 1427). The people invoke the Lord as Balakrisna.
Do note that non-Hindus cannot enter the temple and you cannot enter the temple without following the dress code. Men are allowed to enter the temple only in dhotis and no shirt on top. Women are allowed to enter the temple only in a sari or salwar.
The temple gained popularity following the devotional composition of Melpathur’s Narayaneeyam in praise of Guruvayoorappan (Krishna), which is still sung at Guruvayoor Temple. The concept of Unnikrishna popularized by Poonthanam, Villwamangalam, and Kururamma brought more and more devotees to Guruvayur.
Guruvayur Temple
Address: Guruvayur Devaswom, Guruvayur, PIN 680 101, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Price: Free
Opening Hours: 3 am to 10 pm
Duration: Around 1 hours required.
Access: By road: Guruvayur is well connected with the other parts of the country by road and rail. The national highway passes through Kunnamkulam, which is just 8 km (~5 mi) away from Guruvayur. Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs a bus from all major locations of the state and few inter-state services. The bus stand is located very near to the temple on the west. KSRTC and private buses offer interstate services to all major South Indian cities.
By rail: Guruvayur has a railway station towards the east of the temple, which is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur.
By air: Kochi International Airport (Nedumbassery) is 80 km (49.7 mi) from Guruvayur and the Calicut International Airport is 100 km (62.13 mi) away. All major international flight services are operated from these airports.
Contact: (prefix code +91 487 if needed) 255 6335, 255 6347, 255 6365 Extn Reception100,199
Nearby Food: For devotees, free Prasada Oottu in Annalakshmi Hall outside the temple is available every day. It starts at 10.30 am in the morning. Two canteens are functioning in the Ruest houses: Kousthubham and Panchajanyam.
Website: Guruvayur temple
2. Vilangan Hills
Vilangan Hill is a hillock, set amidst a picturesque locale around 5 km (3 mi) from the city center on the outskirts of the main city of Thrissur. Amidst the verdant green bushes of the hill, you can enjoy the cool breeze, beautiful sunset, and view the whole town of Thrissur from the hillock. The scenic splendor and unpolluted environment forms a perfect backdrop for a day out, placid walks, short trips, or spend some precious moments with your loved ones. Near the top of the hill, there is also an open-air theater.
If you are a nature lover, sunrise and sunset are the preferred times to visit the Vilangan Hills. The Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council has made special arrangements for children with protected playgrounds, and schools of the region often bring students for picnics and days out.
The naturally developed scenic beauty developed by the tourist department as an amusement park is a must see a place for all couples.
Vilangan Hill
Address: Vilangan Hill Rd, Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala 680553
Price: adult: 10 INR / 0.15 USD and child: 5 INR / 0.08 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm.
Elevation: 80 m (262 ft)
Access: You can reach here by traveling 5 km (3.10 mi) on Thrissur-Kunnamkulam Road
Contact: 096882 60499
3. Chettuva Backwater
The backwaters of Thrissur consist of Chettuva Lake, Enammave Kayal, and Kanoli Canal which connects Manalur, Chettuva, Kadassankadave, and Triprayar. The backwaters start at Enamakkal Lake and reach the Arabian Sea. Chettuva is more than a brilliant mix of canals, coconuts, migratory birds, estuary, islets, and a fort. In 2010, the government of Kerala declared Chettuva a heritage village.
The renowned business, Rajah Group, is credited for putting Chettuva on the tourism map. Tourists are only starting to discover Chettuva. After visiting Guruvayoor one of the best ways to spend the extra hours you have is to enjoy boating in Chettuva. The place to go is the Rajah Boat Yard, which is on the left side before Chettuva Bridge as you travel from Chavakkad along the highway.
You will find various types of boats along with house boats. They also have set up an up an Ayurvedic resort on one of the islands.
Half an hour car or auto-rickshaw ride takes you to Chettuva. About 8 km (4.97 mi) from Guruvayoor, Chettuva is along the Chavakkad-Cochin coastal highway.
Chettuva Backwater
Address: Rajah Healthy Acres, Perumanoor, Chalissery, Palakkad Dist. Kerala, India.
Access: Rajah boat yard is on the left side before Chettuva Bridge if coming from Chavakkad along the highway.
Contact: Telephone No : 0091 466 2371743, 0091 487 2544100, 0091 487 254774. Fax : 0091 466 2371744, rha@ayurvedichospital.com , ayurcenter@ayurveda-in.com
Website: Chettuva backwater
4. Elephant Park (Anakotta)
Posted by Govind Tripathi on Tuesday, 11 June 2013
An old palace now turned into an elephant camp, Anakotta Elephant Park has become quite popular among tourists. Elephants belonging to Guruvayoor Temple are kept in a 4 hectare (10 acre) plot near Mammiyoor. Walking alongside fifty to eighty elephants is an experience to remember. This is much different from zoos where elephants are kept inside a cage. Here you can watch elephants being bathed, fed, and resting.
Located about 4 km (2.5 mi) away from the Western Gate of the Guruvayoor Temple, this sprawling palace with luxurious courtyards was established from the ruins of the Punathur. The palace houses around 80 elephants, all offered by devotees of the temple. These elephants are forbidden to work anywhere else, except in the service of the lord during temple processions and ceremonies. Many of the star elephants have a huge fan-following.
Please keep a safe distance between you and elephants and make sure not to disturb their privacy. Photography is strictly prohibited.
Elephant Park (Anakotta)
Address: Ponnani – Guruvayoor Road near to Kottappadi
Price: Ticket fee for adults 10 INR / 0.15 USD and for kids below 5 years is 5 INR / 0.07 USD
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm.
Access: The sanctuary is located on the Ponnani–Guruvayoor Road near Kottappadi. Take the turn from Thampuran Padi and you will be there after a hundred meters (328 ft).
5. Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple
Sri Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple, Guruvayoor
Posted by Prashant Mukund on Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Considered an integral part of the Guruvayur pilgrimage, Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple is situated near Guruvayurappam Temple. The temple enshrines the idol of Lord Shiva. Smaller shrines of Ayyappa, Vishnu, Subramanyam, and Ganapathy are also in the temple. According to legend, Goddess Parvathy is inside the sanctorum. Murals containing images of Mohini can be seen on the walls of the temple.
Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple
Address: Mammiyur Devaswom,Guruvayur, P.O,Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala 680101
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 4.45 am to 8.30 pm, Saturday: 4.45 am to 8.30 pm, Sunday: 4.45 am to 8.30 pm, Public Holidays: 4.45 am to 8.30 pm
Duration: around 1 hours required.
Access: It is walkable distance from the Guruvayur Temple
Contact: Phone: + 91- 487 - 2555425. Fax: + 91 - 487 - 2555425. Email: mammiyurdevaswom@yahoo.co.in or info@mammiyurshivatemple.com
Website: Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple
Divine destination
You can experience eternal peace and happiness at the divine destination of Guruvayur. The Backwaters, Elephant Park, and Vilagan Hill will leave you refreshed will memories of divinity and adventure. It’s a must see in Kerala.
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