Guruvayur Temple - Part 2, Architecture and worship practices

Guruvayur Temple - Part 2, Architecture and worship practices

Did you know that in the Sree Kovil or Garba Griha of the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, where the idol of Lord Krishna is defied, the two doors and the roof are covered by gold and with exqusite mural paintings on its walls?

Guruvayur Temple originally built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and consecrated with Lord Krishna called Guruvayurappan (four-armed form of the Lord Vishnu ), has under gone many changes over the centuries but retaining the Kerala architectural style of sloped pyramidal roofing fitted with copper plates.  

The Guruvayur temple, built according to Kerala's temple Vastuvidya, and called Bhuloka Vaikunta" meaning the "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth"., faces the East direction has two Gopurams (towers), one at East (Kizhakkenada) and other at West (Padinjarenada); the entire area between these two towers is roofed with tiles and known as Anapanthal. The holiest inner sanctum sanctorum or garba griha of the temple, called the Sri Kovil, is deified with the divine image of Sri Krishna who is popularly called Guruvayurappan is deified. This idol is 4 feet tall and had is adorned with four arms each carrying sankh (conch), chakra(wheel), gadha (club) and padmam (lotus). The Moolavigraha (main murti) is made of Pathalanjana Shila and is considered extremely sacred. The roof above the sanctum is designed in 2 layers with copper sheet roofing plated with gold The Sri Kovil has two doors and the roof which are covered by gold; all the articles inside the Garbhagriha are also in gold. the doors are gold plated and embellished with 101 golden bells. Apart from the primary Moola Vigraha of Lord Krishna, there are two more idols one of silver and the other of gold of which the silver idol is more older. These are used for the Seeveli and other Utsavams or processions. The sanctum is approached through the Namaskara Mandapam, square in shape and with a pyramidal roof, which is preceeded by Mukhamandapam which is accessed through a Sopanam of a number of stone steps. On two raised plinths, there are ten beautifully carved pillars on the either side of the entrance passage. It was here the golden slokas of 'Narayaniyam' were written, in the praise of Lord Guruvayur. All the interiror walls in the Srikovil and Mukhamadapam are decorated with murals.  

At the centre of the temple complex is a square shaped pillared hall called Nalambalam or Chuttambalam, the outer wall of which is fixed with a gallery of oil lamps. At the south side of the Nalambalam, there is a sub shrine of Sasta or Lord Ayyappan. 

At the north-east side of the main shrine is the Koothambalam , where, in olden times, dance performances were held. In the front and the east side of Nalambalam, the Belikkal and Deepastambas - Pillar of lights are located. There are a number of such light pillars in the temple. The Deepastambas, at each Gopurams , are of special interest. The Dwajasthamba, also called locally as Kodimaram a flag-staff , around 33.5 m height, fully covered with gold is in the midst of the deepastambams. 

There is Oottupura building in the temple complex on its northern side where free lunch is served daily to the devotees. There is temple tank (pond) on the northern side of the temple complex which is called Rudratheertham. A legend related to this pond says that aeons ago Lord Shiva bathed here, and as Shiva is also known by the name 'Rudra', the pond came to be known as Rudratheertham.

Within a short distance from the temple, there is an Aanapendal, also known as the Punnathur kotta, which once was a palace of local chieftian, which is now a shelter for elephants. Elephants are part of all the festivals held in the Guruvayur temple. This kotta has 56 elephants donated by the devotees. The rituals of Gajapooja (Worshipping Elephants) and Anayoottu (Feeding Elephants) are observed here, as an offering to Lord Ganesha. This elephant home is claimed to be the largest population of captive male Asian elephants in the world.  

Daily worship at the temple proceeds according to scriptural dictums set by Adi Shankara and later written formally in the Tantric way. The Cennas Nambudiris are the hereditary tantris (high priest) who start worhip at the temple at 3.30 AM and continue till 12.45 PM. The temple doors are opened again in the evening at 6 PM and worship continues till 10 PM. There is a strict dress code to visit this shrine and only Hindus are allowed inside the temple complex. 

 

The main festivals at this temple are the 10-day festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham starting with flag hoisting on Pooyam star, Shri Krishna Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna) in the month of Chingam, Ekadasi (11th day) in the shukla paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Vrischikam, popularly called as Guruvayur Ekadasi, and Vishu on the first day of the month of Medam, once a harvest festival.

Thrissur is the nearest town which is 29 km away from the temple. The nearest airport to Guruvayoor is at Kochi (Cohhin) that is 90 km away.

Narasipur Char