Located in Guruvayoor, Kerala, Guruvayoor Temple is one of the holiest and oldest temples in South India and dates back to 5,500 years. The temple’s presiding deity is Lord Guruvayoorappan (Lord Krishna), an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Apart from being a beautiful example of Kerala’s detailed architectural style, the Guruvayoor Temple holds immense historical and religious significance while serving as an auspicious sanctum for marriages and religious events. Let us look at some important deets including Guruvayoor Temple timings, location, and how to reach it!
Guruvayoor Temple Timings & Other Details
You can find information on the location, significance, history, how to reach, festivals, architecture, and the timings of Gurvayoor Temple right here. We hope this helps you plan your Kerala holiday with ease.
Best time to visit Guruvayoor Temple
The winter season from October to February is an ideal time to visit the famed temple of Guruvayoor. The town has pleasant weather during this time owing to the region’s tropical climate. It’s the perfect time to plan a trip to this temple and explore its fascinating architecture and history.
If you wish to see the temple decked up in colorful hues and brimming with energy, you should visit around February-March when Guruvayoor temple plays host to the frivolous annual celebration of Guruvayoor Festival! Guruvayoor temple timings generally get extended during festival celebrations and auspicious events held at the temple premises.
The summer season from March to June tends to be rather hot and humid. While you’d find fewer people and a touristy crowd, roaming around the town and visiting the temple during the day would be hasslesome in this season. The monsoon season from July to September would bring in refreshing showers and a pleasant change from the scorching heat, but heavy rain could spoil your plans to step out and explore.
How to reach Guruvayoor Temple location
Guruvayur is a small town located in the Thrissur district of Kerala in Southern India. It’s a famous destination for pilgrimage and spiritual tourism in Kerala. It is known for its popular temples including Guruvayoor Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, and many others which attract thousands of worshippers to this city every year. In addition to its beautiful temples, Guruvayoor lures travelers with its stunning landscapes and untouched natural beauty.
You can reach Guruvayoor Temple by air, railway, and road.
Guruvayoor Temple by air: The nearest airport to Gurvayoor is Cochin International Airport located 87 km away. The airport has excellent domestic connectivity with airports around India and many other countries. Plenty of cabs and vehicles on rent are available outside the airport.
Guruvayoor temple by railway: Guruvayoor town has a small railway station with connectivity to some cities in South India. The nearest major railway station is Thrissur Railway Station 28 km from Guruvayoor town. It is connected to every major city in India.
Guruvayoor temple by road: You can book Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private Volvos at nominal rates to reach Guruvayoor. KSRTC has an excellent network of buses, and you can get buses from cities and towns across Kerala including Kochi and Trivandrum. KSRTC operates buses to major cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as well. You can also get to Guruvayoor Temple via taxi or a rented vehicle, but it’s a costlier option.
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Guruvayoor Temple timings & pooja timings
Guruvayoor temple opens at 3:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM in the night, its different sections and religious ceremonies have set time slots, and travelers must also know those as well if they wish to explore the temple premises properly. Also, Guruvayur temple timings may vary on certain days including festivals and auspicious occasions like weddings and special ‘poojas’.
We’ve compiled detailed info on Guruvayoor temple timings to help you plan your visit better.
The temple door opens at 3:00 AM.
- Nirmala – 3:00 AM to 3:30 AM
- Oilabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam – 3:20 AM to 3:30 AM
- Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram – 3:30 AM to 4:15 AM
- Usha Nivedyam – 4:15 AM to 4:30 AM
- Ethirettu Pooja followed by Usha Pooja – 4:30 AM to 6:15 AM
- Seeveli, Palabhishekam, Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja – 7:15 AM to 9:00 AM
- Ucha Pooja – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Noon pooja)
The temple closes for a brief period at 1:30 PM and reopens at 4:30 PM.
- Seeveli – 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM
- Deeparadhana – 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
- Athazha Pooja Nivedyam – 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM
- Athazha Pooja – 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM
- Athazha Seeveli – 8:45 PM to 9:00 PM
- Thrippuka, Olavayana – 9:00 PM to 9:15 PM
The temple closes at 9:15 PM.
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Major festivals celebrated at Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur Temple hosts several festival celebrations across the year with great pomp and joy. Try and visit during at least one of these to make your trip all the more lively and fun! Find out individual dates and timings of Guruvayoor Temple festivals and religious ceremonies on the Guruvayoor Temple website before visiting.
- Mandala Pooja begins on the first day of the Malayam month Vrishchikam. Devotees flock to Lord Ayyappa Shrine at Sabarimala during this auspicious period and also stop by the Guruvayur Temple which offers a special Abhishekam during these 41 days.
- Saraswathy Pooja is celebrated on the last three days of the Navarathri festival. Goddess Saraswathy is the goddess of learning and fine arts. On the last day, children can start learning to read or write or train for various traditional dance and martial arts.
- Thiruvonam is celebrated during Chingam (August-September). Devotees throng to the temple in large numbers to offer bananas to the elephants of Guruvayoor Devaswom and enjoy an elaborate Onam feast.
- Ashtami Rohini, celebrated during Chingam, marks the birthday of Lord Krishna. The entire temple is decorated with flowers and lamps and a special feast is arranged for devotees.
- Puthari, or ‘new rice’, is the celebration of the harvest season’s first crop by making the first offering to the temple. Devotees offer Puthari Payasam to the lord.
- Vishu is the New Year of Malayees and Tamilians and is celebrated in Medam (mid-April). People believe objects seen on the morning of Vishu decide the fortunes of the year. So, Kani (omen) of yellow flowers, betel nuts, rice, and gold coins are displayed in front of Lord Guruvayor on Vishu morning. Crowds stay overnight in the temple courtyard.
- Kucheladinam is the first Wednesday of the month of Dhanu (December). According to legend, an ardent devotee offered Lord Krishna Avil in return for eternal bliss and material property. Avil is offered in the temple on this day.
- Samkramam Sandhyas is an auspicious occasion observed on the eve of each Malayalam month.
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Guruvayoor Temple architecture & mythology
Lord Guruvayoor is also called Unnikrishnan. Guruvayoorappan is a form of Lord Vishnu worshipped mainly in Kerala. Guruvayoor Temple has a typical Kerala architecture that follows Vastu traditions. The temple walls have beautiful murals and intricate carvings. According to legends, Lord Vishwakarma himself designed the magnificent temple.
The temple is east-facing and has two Gopugams – one facing towards the east (Kizhakkenada) and one facing towards the west (Paringjarenada). Shrines of Lord Ganesha, Lord Aiyappa, and Bhagavathi are also in the temple.
The Chuttambalam is a gold-plated flag mast called Dwajasthambam, which is 33.5 meters high. The Deepasthambham or the ‘lamp pillar’ looks beautiful when it is lit in the evening.
The term Guruvayoor is derived from Guru (teacher of the gods) and Vayu (wind god). This temple is an important pilgrimage for Krishna devotees and is called Southern Dwarka or Dakshina Dwarka. Guruvayoorappan is the presiding deity of Guruvayoor temple, who is worshiped as Shri Krishna in His child form (Bala Gopalan).
The idol of Lord Guru has four arms with four weapons – the conch, the Sudarshana Chakra, the mace, and the lotus with Tulasi or Basil Garland and a pearl necklace. The idol of Lord Unnikrishnan Guruvayoor is 4 feet tall and made with a unique mixture called Padala Anjanam. Locals believe that the idol has healing properties. Priests distribute the water used in the Abhishekam ceremony (bathing the idol) among devotees present during the ritual for healing purposes.
Over 56 elephants live in the Punnathur Kotta (or the elephant yard) on the temple premises. Visiting the elephant yard offers guests a truly unique experience.
The Guruvayoor temple also serves as an auspicious venue for marriages. During the wedding season, over 200 weddings take place on the premises. Attending a traditional Malayalam wedding can be a wonderful experience! Make sure you check all events and ceremonies on the website before visiting. All information on Guruvayoor Temple timings, accessibility, and booking details can be found on the temple’s official website.
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Guruvayoor Temple online booking
Devotees must visit the Guruvayoor Temple only after making an online booking on the website. Entry is only allowed to the first 600 people visiting via prior online booking in a day. Guruvayoor Temple opening hours are from 3:30 AM to 9:30 PM. The Virtual Queue system allows devotees to get the darshan of the Lord. The website offers a very smooth and easy online booking procedure and one doesn’t require the assistance of an agent or middleman for the same.
Important tips for visiting Guruvayoor Temple
- Guruvayoor Temple has a strict dress code – you must wear traditional Indian attire. Men must wear a Mundu/Dhoti/Visti, not shirts or vests, while women must wear a saree or salwar kameez. Boys and girls under 15 can wear shorts and long skirts with blouses, respectively.
- Keep your footwear outside the temple and keep your head covered.
- Be patient as darshan can take 5 to 6 hours. If you want to skip the long queue, you can opt for a paid VIP darshan during online booking.
- Respect Guruvayoor Temple timings and visit early in the day. A well-planned visit will help you explore the temple properly without missing anything.
- Photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited. Do not carry mobile phones, cameras, and electronic equipment on the temple premises.
- Leather products are not allowed inside the temple.
- Guruvayoor temple also offers online booking for darshan, prasadam, and pujas for devotees on their website.
- Only Hindu devotees are allowed entry into the temple.
Set in the spiritual land of Thrissur, Guruvayoor Temple is among the most sacred sanctums in India that brings people from far and wide with its peaceful aura, traditional architecture, and interesting history. It is among the most revered tourist spots in Kerala that turns into a riot of colors, music, and joy during festivals. Find here all the info on Guruvayoor Temple timings, booking details, means of getting there, and much more before you book your Kerala holiday. If you have any queries, let us know in the comments below.
