Guruvayur is a bustling pilgrim town located in the Trissur district of Kerala. Guruvayur is one the most famous religious destinations for the Hindus. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. Sri Krishna is one of the most famous forms of Lord Vishnu. The temple is called "Bhooloka Vaikuntam" meaning "Holy abode of Vishnu on earth". The temple of Guruvayoor is highly esteemed in Southern India in the lines of Tirupati and Sabarimala Shrines.
Name Guruvayur is derived out of three words - Guru (Brihaspathi), Vayu (Wind God) and Oor (Land). According to beliefs after the annihilation of Lord Krishna and extinction of His capital Dwarka the idol of lord Vishnu worshipped by lord Krishna was reinstalled here by Lord ‘Guru’ Brihaspati and the Wind God ‘Vayoo’. The idol is made of a rare stone known as Patala Anjana and is said to have special medicinal properties. The presiding deity is endowed with four hands carrying Sankhu (conch), Sudarshana chakram (a serrated disk), lotus and mace. Only Hindus are allowed entrance inside the temple.
Guruvayoor is also famous in Kerala as a felicitous wedding venue. Many couples choose to solemnize their wedding and start a new chapter in the life in the blessed domicile of Lord. Guruvayur is also a popular centre of Carnatic Music and ‘Krishnattam Kali’ which is a folk dance of Kerala was originated in the Krishna Temple of Guruvayoor. The temple opens at 3 AM and will be closed at 12:30 PM. The temple reopens at 4:30 PM and closes around 9:15 PM or even later when there are special functions
Even though the whole life of this town revolves round the temple Guruvayoor is also bequeathed with other sightseeing places including other temples, palaces, museums, elephant sanctuary, and so on.
Elephant Camp
Elephant camp in the Punnathur Kotta is located 3 km from the Guruvayur temple. This is the largest elephant sanctuary in India.
Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple
This Shiva temple is at a close proximity from Guruvayur. According to the legends it is believed that lord Shiva was the original owner of the place where Guruvayoor temple stands today. He shifted his temple to present location in order to make way for installing the idol of lord Vishnu. Because of this it is a custom among devotees visiting Guruvayoor to visit Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple. The temple is adorned with beautiful mural paintings.
Institute of Mural Painting
It is located at the east gate of Guruvayoor temple. This institute was established in 1989 by renowned master of mural painting, Shri Mammiyoor Krishnankutty and is now managed by the Guruvayoor Devaswom.
Devaswom Museum
This museum houses many collections of antiques, temple materials, mural paintings, musical instruments etc. Also on display is the precious items used to adorn renowned elephants in Guruvayur.
Some of the other famous temples located nearby include Parthasarathi Temple, Narayanamkulangara Bhagavati Temple, Tiruvenkatam Temple, and Sreekandapuram Vishnu Temple.
Guruvayur Railway Station is situated just 500 meters from the temple which is connected to the Chennai - Mangalore main line at Thrissur. Thrissur Railway Station is the nearest major railway station about 29 km from Guruvayoor. Guruvayoor is well connected with other parts of the country by road transport. Good frequency of both KSRTC and private bus services plies between major cities of Kerala. Interstate bus services to almost all major cities in south India is also available. The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport (Nedumbassery Airpot) which is about 80 km from Guruvayur. Another nearest airport is the Calicut International Airport which is around 100 km from Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. Being a major pilgrimage town Guruvayoor offers various categories of accommodation option like service apartment or budget hotel or posh luxurious resort to the tourists.