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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