Guruvayur Temple

About Guruvayur Temple

• Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, also known as the Dwarka of the South, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the young form of Lord Krishna.
• It is located in the small town of Guruvayur, in the Thrissur District of Kerala.
• The earliest temple records date back to the 17th century, but other literary texts and legends indicate that the temple may be around 5000 years old.
• Features:
  • Lord Krishna, or Guruvayoorappan, is the chief deity of this temple.
  • The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.
  • The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 C.E. 
  • Structures like the Nalambalam (temple structure surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), Balikkal (sacrificial stone), and Deepastambam (pillar of lights) are situated on the temple premises.
  • The wall of the sanctum sanctorum is decked with ancient 17th-century murals.
  • Another famous sight here is the Dwajasthamba. It is a flagstaff, around 70 feet tall, fully covered with gold.
  • One of the most popular offerings at Guruvayoor temple is Thulabharam, where devotees are weighed against bananas, sugar, jaggery, and coconuts equivalent to their weight on a giant pair of scales.
  • The temple is also noted for being home to a large population of captive male Asian elephants.
• The Punnathur Kotta elephant sanctuary, where 56 elephants live, is very close to the temple.

Q1) What is Kerala architecture?

Kerala architecture is a famous style of architecture from the eponymous state in southern India. Widely speaking, this architectural style is primarily based on the principles of Thachu Shastra, the science of carpentry, and Vastu Shastra, the science of architecture and construction. The most distinctive features would be the long, steep roofs in plain circular, square or rectangular shapes (built so to withstand the heavy monsoons), gable windows, tall pillars and airy courtyards. The use of local materials such as stone, wood and clay is imperative to these structures. 

Source: PM Modi visits Guruvayur temple in Kerala; attends wedding of BJP leader Suresh Gopi’s daughter