Shaili takes us on a tour of Guruvayur temple, in Panikkar, Kerala. It’s one of the holiest pilgrimages associated with Lord Vishnu. An exclusive for Different Truths. 

The temple of our purest thoughts is silence. 

Religious places and monuments have been an inseparable part of our lives. Since the birth of mankind, temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches have played a significant role in moulding our thoughts, sentiments, and values. Our ancient temples also have a relevant historical significance as well as mythological richness to boast of! 

Dwarka of South India 

One such temple is the Guruvayur temple, in Panikkar, Kerala. Guruvayur is also known as the ‘Dwaraka of South India.’ It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and represents Krishna, avatar of Vishnu, with four arms carrying the conch, the magical discus with serrated edges Sudarshana Chakra, the mace, and a lotus with a holy basil garland. The deity is worshipped according to the routines laid down by Adi Shankara. 

The closest international airport to visit Guruvayur, is the Cochin International Airport (87 km.). The Calicut Airport is also close by (approx. 100 km.) The best time to visit is when your faith leads you! But, of course, it would be advisable to avoid monsoons. On other days, it is mostly sunny and hot, and the temperature varies from 20 degrees to 40 degrees. Many hotels and lodges are available here to suit your budget. 

By the end of the 16^th century, Guruvayur had become the most popular pilgrimage in Kerala. The deity of Guruvayur is unique. Since it is carved out of stone called Patalanjana stone and is considered extremely sacred by the Hindus. 

Ancient Deity 

According to the legends, the deity worshipped here is more than 5000-year-old. It is one of the five famous Krishna/Vishnu temples in India. The main shrine that is seen these days is supposed to be rebuilt in 1638. The idol is about four feet tall and has four hands. It is considered as little Krishna. It is said that Vishvakarma, the divine architect of the Gods, built the temple. 

The architecture is such that on the day of Vishu, the first rays of the sun fall on the feet of Vishnu’s idol. It is also said that the two words, Guru and Vayur have special meaning. It stands for the body of the human being, which is the abode of the wind. The idol was installed by Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods, and Vayu. 

The temple has many interesting tales linked with its construction and existence. The guides here give you a rare insight into all these tales and folklore, making your entire trip really fascinating and mesmerising! 

Well-maintained and Beautiful 

Two committees have been formed to take care of this temple. One committee was headed and came under the Government of Kerala and the other is, the technical Committee to advise on the upkeep and the renovation of the temple. The entire area is extremely neat and tidy and exceptional efforts have been put up to keep it well-maintained and beautiful. 

The entire life of this township revolves around the temple. Many tourists visit this temple, and it is also a major tourist attraction for people visiting Kerala. Even though there are many other temples here, the sanctity of Guruvayur is far more profound than of any other temple. 

In the premises of Guruvayur, a strict dress code exists for people, who wish to enter the temple. Men are supposed to wear ‘mundu’ around their waist and remain bare-chested. Boys can wear shorts but again without any shirt. Women may wear sari or salwar-kameez, young girls can wear long skirts and a top. Locker facilities are available to deposit your precious belongings like mobile phones, cameras, etc. 

Well, whether you are a believer or not, Guruvayur temple is indeed worth a visit. It transports us to the days of Lord Krishna, who enchanted the world with his baby-pranks, his miracles, and his supreme presence.

Visuals by Different Truths and Pastures from the Internet.

Feature Picture: by Aban abhiram, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shaili Dhagat

Shaili is a prolific writer who has worked as a columnist and editor for the leading English newspapers like The Times of India, Indian Express, The Asian Age, Shillong Times and Deccan Herald, etc. She has written short stories, and poems for National and International journals. She has recently been crowned as Mrs. India International Global 2018, and soon will be representing India on an International platform. She would like to contribute towards Women Empowerment.

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