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| Chennas
Vasudevan Namboothiripad |
Guruvayur, God’s Own Land in God’s Own Country,
with the world renowned Sree Krishna Temple, attracts more
than three crore devotees and visitors annually. Apart from
the Sree Krishna Temple, there also other famous temples like
the Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple, Sree Parthasarathy Temple,
the Chowaloor Siva Temple, Perumthatta Siva Temple and Thiru
Venkitachalapathy Temple located in the vicinity.
The divinity and sanctity of the place, uniqueness of the
idol and the centuries-old rituals and customs practised at
the temple, all go to enhancing the greatness of Guruvayur.
Even though the temple is known as a Sree Krishna Temple,
the idol is that of Lord Mahavishnu and sculpted out of a
rare brand of granite called ‘Pathalanja sila’. It is believed
that the idol was worshiped by Lord Krishna at Dwaraka in
Dwapara yuga and after His ascension to the heavenly abode,
the idol was found floating in the sea. Lord Krishna advised
Brihaspathy, the Deva Guru and Vayu Deva to install the idol
at a place appropriate for worship in the Kaliyuga. On the
direction of Lord Siva, Guru and Vayu installed the idol and
named the place ‘Guruvayur’.
Even though there is no exact knowledge about when the temple
was constructed, it is believed that it was built at the beginning
of the Kaliyuga by Viswakarma, the heavenly architect. The
temple is also considered as the worldly abode of Lord Mahavishnu
and often called ‘Bhooloka Vaikundam’. The poojas and rituals
at the temple were scheduled by the Adi Sankara and these
rituals are strictly followed even now. Melpathur Narayana
Bhattathiri who wrote Narayaneeyam, the Gospel of Guruvayur,
Poonthanam who composed Njanappana, Manaveda Raja, Villuwa
Managalam Samiyar, Kurooramma, Manjula were the legendary
devotees of Sree Guruvayurappan. There are also many legendary
stories about these devotees. The Carnatic maestro, Chembai,
is considered as an ardent devotee of the recent era.
The ten-day long annual festival is held during the Malayalam
month of Dhanu (January-February). The festival begins with
the Anayottam (elephant race) and Kodiyettam (hoisting of
the temple flag). The festival concludes with the Arattu ritual
(ceremonial procession) on the tenth day.
Guruvayur Ekadasi, the Sukla Paksha Ekadsi during the Malayalam
month of Thulam-Vrischikam (November-December) is most auspicious
Ekadasi. It is believed that it was on this Ekadasi that Lord
Krishna imparted Gitopadesam to Arjuna at the battle field
of Kurushktra. Hence the day is also observed as Gita Dinam
(Day of the Bhagwad Gita) at the temple. A thirty-day Ekadasi
Vilakku celebration and a 15-day Sangeetholsavam in the memmory
Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar herald the Guruvayur Ekadasi. Ashtamirohini,
Narayaneeya Dinam, Kuchela Dinam and Mandalam (Sabarimala
pigrimage season) are also observed at the temple.
The temple was owned by Zamorin Raja of Kozhikode and the
administration was handed over to Kerala Government in early
1970. The temple is presently managed by a Devaswom Commitee
comprising of permanent members, Zamorin Raja, Temple Thanthri,
Oooralan and nominated members in Government service. The
present Managing Committee, headed by Thottathil Raveendran,
comprises of Zamorin of Kozhikode P.K.S.Manaveda Raja, Thanthri
Chennas Vasudevan Namboothiripad, Ooralan Mallissery Parameswaran
Namboothiripad, Gokulam Gopalan, T.R.Harry, A.V.Chandran,
A. Babu and Administrator V. Ratheesan.
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