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Guruvayur | |
---|---|
Nickname: Dvaraka of the South | |
Guruvayur, Kerala | |
Coordinates: 10°35′40.6″N76°02′12.8″E / 10.594611°N 76.036889°E | |
Country | India |
State | Kerala |
District | Thrissur |
Government | |
• Body | Guruvayur Municipality |
Area | |
• Total | 29.66 km2 (11.45 sq mi) |
Elevation | 24.86 m (81.56 ft) |
Population (2011) [1] | |
• Total | 67,006 |
• Density | 2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Malayalam |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 680101 |
Telephone code | +91487xxxxxxx |
Vehicle registration | KL-46 |
Climate | Am/Aw (Köppen) |
Avg. summer temperature | 35 °C (95 °F) |
Avg. winter temperature | 20 °C (68 °F) |
GuruvayurIPA: [guɾuʋɐːjuːr] ) is a municipal temple town in Thrissur district, of Kerala State in India. It is a suburban town of Thrissur city, located 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Thrissur towards the north-west. It houses the Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple. It is located at a distance of 292 km (181 mi) from the state capital Trivandrum towards the north-west, 80 km (50 mi) from Kochi towards the north, 90 km (56 mi) from Calicut towards south.
According to Hindu legend, the deity Krishna is said to have asked a deity and a sage to take the idol from his temple in Dvaraka before it was destroyed by a flood, and establish it in Kerala. Accordingly, the idol of Krishna is believed to have been brought by the wind deity Vayu and Sage Brihaspati and was placed in Guruvayur. The name Guruvayur is a portmanteau of their names: Guru referring to the title of Brihaspati, Vayu referring to the deity. [2] Ur is a Malayalam suffix that means city or settlement.
In 2010, the Municipality was upgraded to Grade 1 by merging nearby Pookode and Thaikkad panchayats. [3] The Municipality consists of Perakam (CT) village, Pookode Village, Iringappuram(CT) Village , Thaikkad(CT) Village, Chavakkad Village, and Guruvayur Village part, revenue villages of Chavakkad Taluk. Thus the Municipality total area is 29.66 square kilometers, total number of wards (43), population (67,006) and population density (2,259 per square kilometer) are changed. [1]
Guruvayur Township was formed on 26 January 1962 with four electoral wards with an area of 6.49 square kilometres (2.51 sq mi). Later the wards were increased to 10 and in 1994 to 20 when the township was upgraded to Municipality status with an area of 12.41 km2 (4.79 sq mi). In 2010, the electoral wards were increased to 43. Guruvayur is a Grade-1 Municipality. Guruvayur assembly constituency is part of Trichur (Lok Sabha constituency). [4]
Ekadashi, the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight, is very auspicious to the Hindus. Of the 24 Ekadashis in a year, the Vrishchika Ekadashi (Sukla paksha) has got special significance in Guruvayur temple. A memorial honour for Gajarajan Keshavan is conducted in Guruvayur. The Karanavar or head of the elephant family places a wreath at the statue of Keshavan in front of Sreevalsam guest house and all the other elephants stand around and pay obeisance. On Ekadashi day, the Udayasthamana Pooja (dawn to dusk pooja) is conducted by the Devaswom itself . After the morning seeveli, on Ekadashi there is a grand elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple since it is regarded as Geethopadesam Day also. On Ekadashi after night pooja, the famous Ekadashi Vilakku with elephant procession takes place and provides a fitting finale to the festival.[ citation needed ]
Chembai Sangeetholsavam is an annual Carnatic music festival held in Guruvayur by the Guruvayur Devaswom as a kind of homage to Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, one of the titans of Carnatic Classical Music. Chembai had conducted the festival in the temple town on his own for about 60 years. He used to invite all the great Carnatic Musicians to perform in the temple town and in course of time, the scale of the festival rivalled the Thyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyaru, which is recognised as one of the most important festivals of homage paid to Saint Thyagaraja.[ citation needed ]
The Guruvayur Devaswom decided to take charge after his death in 1974, and renamed it as Chembai Sangeetholsavam in his memory. About 2000-2500 musicians participate in this festival every year, and it is held for about 12–15 days culminating on the Guruvayur Ekadashi day, when all the musicians sing 5 favourite songs of Chembai and also the Pancharatna Kritis of Thyagaraja.
The Guruvayur Temple is a Hindu temple of Krishna. It is often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikuntham, [5] meaning the holy abode of Vishnu on earth. The idol installed here represents a form of the deity Vishnu bearing four arms carrying the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki, and the lotus. Adorned with a tulasi garland, the idol represents Vishnu as revealed to Vasudeva and Devaki at the time of his incarnation of Krishna. The presiding deity in the sanctum sanctorum is Vishnu. It faces east and is 4 feet tall. [6] There are sub-shrines for Ganesha, Ayyappan, and Bhagavati inside the complex, and also two shrines for Ganesha and serpent deities under the temple outside the complex.
The main rail transport system in Guruvayur is operated by the Southern Railway Zone of Indian Railways. Guruvayur Railway Station lies in the Thrissur-Guruvayur Section. It is the last station in this section. There are two passenger trains operating from Guruvayur Railway Station to Ernakulam Junction and another two passenger trains to Thrissur railway station every day. An overnight express train to Chennai Egmore via Ernakulam Junction, Kollam Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, Nagercoil Junction, Madurai, Trichy is also running from Guruvayur Railway Station every day. Thrissur railway station is the major rail head near to Guruvayur from where you can get all South Indian and North Indian trains. [7] [8]
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, which is 72 km (45 mi) from Guruvayur. All international, domestic and chartered flights are available here. Calicut International Airport at Karipur is about 100 km (62 mi) away.
Climate data for Guruvayur, Kerala | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.3 (88.3) | 32.5 (90.5) | 34.8 (94.6) | 35.1 (95.2) | 33.9 (93.0) | 29.2 (84.6) | 28.3 (82.9) | 28.6 (83.5) | 29.5 (85.1) | 30.4 (86.7) | 31.2 (88.2) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.4 (88.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.6 (69.1) | 22.3 (72.1) | 24.7 (76.5) | 25.7 (78.3) | 25.3 (77.5) | 23.7 (74.7) | 23.0 (73.4) | 23.5 (74.3) | 23.6 (74.5) | 23.7 (74.7) | 23.5 (74.3) | 21.2 (70.2) | 23.4 (74.1) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2 (0.1) | 13 (0.5) | 21 (0.8) | 98 (3.9) | 291 (11.5) | 711 (28.0) | 743 (29.3) | 411 (16.2) | 250 (9.8) | 275 (10.8) | 142 (5.6) | 26 (1.0) | 2,983 (117.5) |
Source: Climate-Data.org [9] |
Guruvayurappan also rendered as Guruvayoorappan, is a form of Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala, India. He is the presiding deity of the Guruvayur Temple, who is worshipped as Krishna in his child form, also known as Guruvayur Unnikkannan. The temple is located in the town of Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala, which is named after the deity.
The Guruvayur Temple is a famous Indian Hindu temple located in the town of Guruvayur in Thrissur district, Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Guruvayurappan) but popularly known as Krishna. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and is often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikuntha. The temple is Classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.
Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple is a popular Shiva temple situated in Guruvayoor, Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala and one among the five Shiva temples around Guruvayoor. The main deity is Lord Shiva, who is installed in the concept of 'Uma Maheshwara' - His form with Goddess Parvathi on his left. There is a shrine for Lord Vishnu also here. The sub-deities are Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Ayyappan, Goddess Kali and Serpent deities. This temple is managed by Malabar Devaswom Board. Daily three poojas are conducted. Puzhakkara Chennas Mana is the hereditary Thanthri of this temple too. Shivaratri and Ashtami Rohini are the major festivals.
Sree Poornathrayesa temple is a Hindu temple situated in Tripunithura, Kochi, the capital of the former Kingdom of Cochin, Kerala, India. The temple is considered among the greatest temples in Kerala and was the first among eight royal temples of the erstwhile Kingdom of Cochin. The presiding deity is Vishnu as Santhanagopala Murthy or Poornathrayeesa. He was the national deity of Cochin and protector guardian of Tripunithura. Poornathrayeesa is known for his love of elephants. Hence more than 40 elephants participate in his Vrishchikotsavam.
Thrissur, anglicised as Trichur, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It is situated in the central region of the state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2 (1,171 sq mi), the district is home to over 9% of Kerala's population.
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar was an Indian Carnatic music singer from Kerala. He was born in Kozhikode, and moved to Palakkad along with him family during his childhood. He is popularly known as Chembai, or sometimes simply as Bhagavatar. Chembai was noted for his powerful voice and majestic style of singing. His first public performance was in 1904, when he was nine. A recipient of several titles and honours, he was known for his encouragement of upcoming musicians and ability to spot new talent. He was responsible for popularising compositions like Rakshamam Saranagatam and Pavana Guru, among others.
Punnathurkotta is a fort and former palace located in Kottapadi, about 3 km from the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple, in Thrissur District of Kerala State in South India.
Chavakkad, formerly Chowghat, is a municipality in the Thrissur district of the Indian state of Kerala. Chavakkad is noted for its beach and fishing. It lies on National Highway 66 is located about 75 km (47 mi) north of the city of Kochi, 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Thrissur, and 24 km (15 mi) south of Ponnani.
Kottapadi is a village near Guruvayur town in the district of Thrissur, Kerala, South India. Kottapadi literally translates to Gates to Fort. Kottapadi has now gained prominence Punnathurkotta for which it has been named, which used to house elephants belonging to the Guruvayoor temple. Elephants that are an integral part of certain temple rituals are boarded and trained here.
Chembai Sangeetholsavam is an annual Carnatic music festival held in Guruvayur by the Guruvayur Devaswom in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, a Carnatic classical musician and a devotee of Guruvayurappan.
Guruvayur Ekadasi in Guruvayur is the 11th day of Vrishchika. It falls in the Mandala season. The Navami and Dasami are also important. Vilakku Ekadasi starts a month before with offerings by individuals, families and organisations. The temple is open on this day for Nirmalya Darshan at 3 a.m.. It is closed at 9.00 am on Dwadasi offerings of a token amount called Dwadasi Panam in Koothambalam take place.
The Vilwadrinatha Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruvilwamala, a town in the city of Thrissur, Kerala, India. The principal deities are Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, and his brother, Lakshmana. It figures among the Abhimana Kshetrams in Vaishnavite traditions. This is one of the four major Rama temples in Kerala — the other three are in Thriprayar, Kadavallur, and Thiruvangad. The temple houses an idol of Lakshmana, which is rare in India. Vilwadrinatha Temple is located in the centre of the community of Thiruvilwamala, atop a 100-foot-high hillock. Visible from the temple is Bharathappuzha, the second-largest river in Kerala, which flows past the temple's northern side from around 3 kilometres away.
Nalambalam is a set of four Hindu temples in Kerala. In Malayalam, Nalu means "four" and Ambalam means "temple". These are the temples for the Rama and his brothers of Ramayana. There are around five sets of Nalambalams in Kerala, the most famous among them being the four temples located in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts, namely Thriprayar Sree Rama Temple, Koodalmanikyam Bharatha Temple, Moozhikkulam Lakshmana Temple and Payyammal Shathrughna Temple.
The Sreevallabha Temple is a highly orthodox Hindu temple dedicated to Sreevallabha, a form of Vishnu. It is located in the city of Thiruvalla, in India.
Sri Vasudevapuram Temple is one of three ancient temples (Maha-Kshetram) on the Southern bank of holy river Bharathapuzha. It sits east of the other two, Maha-Shiva Temple and Brahma temple. These temples along with the famous Thirunavaya Maha-Vishnu temple across the river form the trilogy in Sanatana Dharma). Tavanur is called Muvaankara (മൂവ്വാങ്കര). Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the presiding deities, so it was initially known as Muvalankara, and then Muvaankara. Vasudevapuram Tavanur is situated in the middle of a wooded area resembling that of Sabarimala.
Mahadeva Temple, Kalanjoor popularly known as Thrikkalanjoor Sree Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple. It is 80 kilometers to the south-west of the Sabarimala temple on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha highway in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India. A majestic banyan tree, flanked by an Althara that is visible from a distance for any traveler on the main road, announces the presence of the temple to the devotee.
Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna situated at Neyyattinkara, 20 km (12 mi) south of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. It is one of the important temples of Krishna in Kerala with great historic importance. The temple enshrines Unnikannan in the form of Navaneetha Krishna as the presiding deity. Thrikkayyilvenna or Thrikkayyil Venna (butter) is a unique offering to Neyyattinkara Unnikannan, the deity of the temple. World famous musicians Sri. Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran and Neyyaattinkara Vasudevan used to perform concerts regularly in temple festival.
The Thrichittatt Mahavishnu Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu,located in Chengannur, Alappuzha District, Kerala, South India. Constructed in the Kerala style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, by Nammalvar, one of the Sri Vaishnava saint-poets of the 8th century called the Alvars. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, who is worshipped as Imayavarappan. The nearest railway station to the temple is located in Chengannur, while the nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport and Nedupumpassery Airport Ernakulam.
Pepita Seth is a British-born writer and photographer, known for her accounts of the temple arts and rituals of Kerala and her photographs of the widely celebrated captive elephant, Guruvayur Keshavan. The Government of India honoured her, in 2012, with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for her services to the field of art and culture.
Tali Shiva Temple or Tali Mahakshetram is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, situated in the heart of the Kozhikode city, Kerala. The temple was built in the 14th century by Zamorin of Calicut. Tali Kshetram is an ancient temple in the heart of Kozhikode town. Shiva is the presiding deity. The Jyothirlingam in the Sanctum Sanctorum is believed to have been installed by Parasuraman. The temple is one km to the east of Kozhikode railway station. It is surrounded by the Palayam market. This was the family temple of the Zamorins who had ruled Kozhikode. Although the temple is now under Malabar Devaswom, the Zamorin is the managing trustee. The temple is built in traditional Kerala architectural style. The two-storied sanctum-sanctorum is in the shape of a chariot. It is adorned with murals and granite sculptures of Shiva’s retinue. Inside Sree Kovil deities of Tali Ganapathy, Thevarathil Ganapathy and Thrumandhakunnu Bhagavathy are installed. Sree Krishna, Thevarathil Bhagavathy, Ayyappa, Sri Vishnu and Nagam are installed outside Shiva Temple. Sree Valayanad Bhagavati idol is installed inside Sree Krishna Temple. There is a small Narasimha Moorthy temple on the southern side of the Sri Vishnu Temple.