Guruvayurappan Temple Guruvayurappan temple is one of the most famous and most visited temples in the south India. The prime deity of this temple is the child form of Lord Krishna, known as Balagopalan. The devotees get mental calmness by visiting and offering prayer in this temple. Each and every day, the temple witnesses huge crowd and hence big queues for Darshan.
The mural painting and images on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are very much attractive and depicts Krishnaleelakal, childhood of Krishna. This is the place where the famous folk art Krishnattam took birth. The Shiveli procession with temple elephants carrying the cute beautiful idol is really worth seeing.
The temple offers free meals twice a day to all needy devotees visiting the temple. The temple is known as the most popular place for wedding and Choroonu (first time meals to child). There are some days in which more than 300 weddings in a day.
The temple has many legendary and mythological stories associated worth it. It is believed that famous poets like Melpathur and Poonthanam spend their life time in this temple by writing poems devoted to Guruvayuirappan. The legendary story of Kururamma, an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan is worth noting.
Chamundeswari Temple Chamundeswari Temple is located in the close proximity of Guruvayur temple. The presiding deity is Sri Chamundeswari, a revered form of Lord Durga. There is a separate shrine in the premise of this temple devoted to Thazhthukavu Bhagavathy. This deity is placed as a simple stone slab. The temple boasts many years age and the temple witness regular flow of devotees all through the year.
The temple is in the heart of the town and the environment is religious and calm. It is a perfect place to meditate for some time. The temple is open every day from 5 am to 10.45 am and 4.45 pm to 8 pm.
Chowalloor Shiva Temple Renowned as one of the 108 Shivalayas (Abode of Shiva) the Chowalloor Shiva Temple is in the neighborhood of Guruvayur. The temple location is scenic, calm and cool. The premier deity is Shiva with a special Shivalinga installed in the sanctum Sanctorum.
There is an image of Thiruvambadi Krishna in a shrine just at the entrance of the Shiva temple. The surroundings are best places to spend hours together in solitude. Evenings at this place are attractive and rejuvenating.
Shivaratri is a major festival in this temple. The pilgrims to Guruvayur invariably visit this Shiva temple as well. The Chowallur Shiva temple is open on all days. Timings 4.30-11.15 am, 5-9.15 pm.
Harikanyaka Temple Harikanyaka Temple is located at Ariyanoor, a neighboring hamlet of Guruvayur. It is believed that this ancient temple was constructed by the by Perumthachan. This is a preserved structure and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.
The prime deity in the temple is Harikanyaka mean a virgin form of Lord Vishnu. Hari means Vishnu and Kanyaka means Virgin. Mythology connects the Ayyappa as the son of Harikanyaka and Lord Shiva. This temple was much richer than Guruvayur temple in the past and it had a rich history. Present Ariyannur, earlier known as Harikanyakapuram was the head of 32 deshams.
The temple celebrates 15 days festival during March-April every years. It is a huge draw. Thousands of devotees visit this temple every year.Mammiyur Mahadevan Temple
Mamiyur Mahadevan temple is located at a close distance of Guruvayurappan temple. It is believed that the pilgrim tour to Guruvayur will not be complete without offering prayers at Mammiyur temple. The temple enshrines Lord Shiva and it is believed that Parvathy is also present inside the sanctorum. The temple is located at a spot where Lord Shiva is moved after donating his place for Guruvayurappan temple.
There are small shrines of Ganapathy, Vishnu, Ayyappa and Subramanya. The temple is adorned with mural paintings with the images of Mohini. This is a temple visited by all devotees visiting the Guruvayurappan temple.
Nava Mukunda Temple An ancient temple dedicated to Nava Mukunda, a form of Lord Vishnu is located at Thirunavaya, on the shores of Bharathapuzha. It is believed that the idol installed in this temple is the ninth idol installed by famous saints known as Navayogis. Legends tell that first eight idols disappeared as soon as they are placed and the ninth one sunk up to knee by which time it was forcibly stopped.
This place in Thirunavaya is full of soft sands and was the location for the great festival known as "Mamankam", the warrior fights held once in 12 years. Mamankam was the assembly of royal family members and was for 28 days.
Devotees come to this pristine sandy beach to offer last rites to the loved ones. There are other temples with deities as Shiva and Brahma in Thirunavaya.
Parthasarathy Temple This is a famous temple credited with an idol of Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna in the form of Guiding Arjuana (Partha). It is believed that this idol was installed in this temple by Adi Shankara. This temple also has a shrine for Adi Shankara. The temple sanctum is in the form of chariot with wheels and horses. Many devotees regularly visit to offer prayers and temple ambiance is good for silent prayer and meditation.
The temple structures are very beautiful and the temple walls are adorned with many attractive images. A Venkatachalapathy temple is located nearby to this temple. Timings are 4.30 am-12.30 pm and 4.30-8.30 pm.
Thiruvambadi Krishna Shrine Thiruvambady Krishna temple is one of the most ancient temples located in the central and north Kerala. The temple is located nearby Thrissur. The prime deity in this temple is Lord Krishna. The temple is associated with the famous Throssur Pooram during April- May every year. The procession from Thiruvambady is the main attraction of Thrissur Pooram festival. The procession accompanies many elephants and the procession is very attractive with customs of Kudamattam, an activity in which umbrellas of different colors is replaced by others in synchronized way.
The temple structure is eye catching and is attractive with architectural beauty. Thousands visit this temple to offer prayers in a year.
Venkitachalapathy Temple Venkatachalapathy temple is located nearby the Parthsarathy temple in Guruvayur. The prime deity in this temple is Venkatavhalapathy, as in Thirupathi. The idol is a form of Lord Vishnu. People believe that this is a temple in which happiness in life can be attained by praying to Venkatachalapathy.
The temple attracts many and daily Pujas are offered here. The temple is placed in the backdrop of lush green scenery. The unpolluted environment adds the beauty of the temple premises. Devotee has the chance of placing before the God many offerings in this temple.