Attractions

Devaswom Museum  Devaswom museum is located very close to Guruvayur temple's east gate. The museum has many collections of antiques, temple materials, mural paintings,musical instruments and other valuable materials. The temple devaswom museum serves as a place to store valuable offerings in the temple.

Devaswom museum displays the images and remains of famous religious poets like Melapthur and Poonthanam. Also it showcases adornments used in folk arts like Krishnanattam and Kathakali. The precious items used to adorn renowned elephants in Guruvayur are also displayed in this museum. The museum is open to public on all days.

Elephant Camp  Elephant Camp in the Punnathur Kotta is the largest elephant sanctuary in India. At present it has more than 60 elephants. All these elephants are offered to Guruvayur temple by the devotees of Guruvayurappan. This elephant sanctuary is a specimen example elephant love and preservation.

This elephant camp has produced many renowned elephants like Guruvayur Kesavan and Guruvayur Padmanabhan. The elephants are well treated in this camp. These elephants are used to carry Guruvayur temple idols in the procession known as Shiveli.

The elephants in the elephant camp will participate in an elephant race in the temple to determine who will carry the Guruvayurappan Idol during the festival. Anayottam (Elephant Race) attracts thousands of tourists to this place. The Camp is open to public from 9am to 5pm. Nominal entrance fee is charged.

Institute of Mural Painting  Institute of Mural painting established in 1989 is managed by Guruvayur Devaswom. This institute was founded by renowned master of mural painting, Shri Mammiyoor Krishnankutty. The institute is located at the east gate of the Guruvayur temple.

This institute follows a traditional Gurukula system with residential facilities for the students. It offers many courses for the art loving students. The courses offered include five year diploma courses in mural painting, aesthetics, sculpture and art. This institute arranges exhibitions, seminars and training related to the art and culture of Kerala. Many students from Kerala and other states undergo training here.