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INTRODUCTION
Guruvayur is one of the most
important pilgrimage centres in India and is sometimes
referred to as the Dwarka of the south.
The story goes that the temple
dedicated to Lord Krishna was destroyed when the holy
city of Dwarka was submerged under the sea. Guru, the
preceptor of the gods and Vayu, the god of the winds
were entrusted with the job of finding an equally holy
place for anew temple. When they finally selected a
site, the place came to known as Guruvayur and the
deity, Guruvayurappan.
In the 'chuttambalam' of the other
enclosure of the temple, is the tall 33.5 m high,
gold-plated 'dhwajastambham' or flag-mast. The 7 m high
'dipastambham' or pillar of lamps, is a splendid
spectacle when lit the evenings. The entrance to the
inner sanctum lies just beyond this. Within are ten
finely carved pillars on two raised platforms, one on
either side of the passage. Bhattatiri, the devoted 'bhakta'
of Guruvayurappan, sat here, while composing the famous
'Narayaniyam', the great Sanskrit poetical work of 1036
slokas that sing the praise of the Lord.
RESTIVE FASCINATIONS
Ulsavom, a 10 day temple festival
in February - March at Guruvayur, Vishnu, the Kerala
New Year on April 14, Onam, a harvest festivity in
August - September, Temple festivals all over Kerala,
throughout the year.
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General Section
