Guruvayur Tourism

Guruvayur is home to the historic Sree Krishna Temple, called the Dwaraka of the South. It is among the most revered and popular pilgrimage destinations in Kerala and the entire country. The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 C.E. The architectural style and individual elements inside the shrine are beautiful representations of the history of the place.
As per tradition, the shrine faces the East with two Gopurams (tower), one in the East (Kizhakkenada) and other in the West (Padinjarenada). In the front and the east side of the Nalambalam (a square shaped column) lie the pillars of light called Deepastambam. There are a number of such light pillars in the temple. The eastern side’s Deepastambam is 24 feet in height and has thirteen circular receptacles, making it an absolutely spectacular sight when lit. Another famous sight here is the Dwajasthamba. It is a flag-staff, around 70 feet tall, fully covered with gold.
The square shaped Sree Kovil has two stairs and three rooms inside and has aninner room known as Garbhagriha. This is where the idol of Sree Krishna is placed. One can also find images of Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy inside the temple. The healing powers of the shrine drive many to visit it in large numbers. Only Hindus are allowed inside the Temple.

Guruvarurappan Temple
Most visited and most famous Hindu pilgrimage in south India. Lord Krishna is known as Bal Gopalan is the presiding deity of this temple. It is the busiest temple, every day it is flooded with thousands of devotees who offers prayers and keen to attend daily Dharshans. The walls of the temple are beautifully decorated with mural paintings. These paintings are attractively depicts the life of Lord Krishna expressed as Krishnaleelakal, interesting stories of childhood of Lord Krishna. Popular venue to conduct marriages and Chonunnu (offering first solid meal to child). There are more than 300 marriages are held daily in this temple. The Shiveli procession where the idol of Lord Krishna is carried by beautifully decorated temple elephants is an eye-catching ceremony of Guruvayur.

Elephant Camp
The Elephant camp is located around three kilometer from Guruvayur temple, in Punnathur Kotta. The spacious homage of elephants, houses more than 60 elephants. The interesting fact is that all elephants are offered by devotees. The popular elephants are Guruvayur Kesavan and Guruvayur Padmanabhan which are used in temple festivals and to perform temple processions. Annayottam, elephant race is held every year to select the elephant to carry the idol of Lord Krishna, The elephant race attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year and made Guruvayur as hot picnic spot.