Guruvayur is a city in Kerala which hosts a grand temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. This is the most important place of worship for Hindus in Kerala. The idol which is worshiped here is said to be 5000 years old. This idol represents a form of Krishna with four arms carrying the conch, mace, Sudarshan chakra and a lotus. This Krishna idol represents divine form of god Vishnu as revealed to Vasudeva and Devaki, hence Guruvayur is also known as "Dwaraka of Southern India".
The worship of Idol is done according to the Vedic traditions, and is followed up to the absolute perfection, which is a hallmark of the Guruvayur temple.
Story Behind The Guruvayur Idol
Initially, the Idol was worshiped by Lord Vishnu, and then he handed it over to Lord Brahma.
Lord Brahma, pleased by the devotional scarifies for child birth, handed this Idol to King Sutapas and his wife. Lord Brahma asked them to worship this Idol. Lord Vishnu was pleased with their worship and devotion. Lord Vishnu appeared and blessed them with the fortune that he himself will be born as their child taking four re-births in three different forms and in four different situations. In the fourth rebirth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Vishnu was born as their eighth child Krishna. This is the greatness and glory of the idol, that lord Krishna himself installed this idol at Dwarka and worshiped it knowing that the idol represents none other but himself.
Lord Brahma, pleased by the devotional scarifies for child birth, handed this Idol to King Sutapas and his wife. Lord Brahma asked them to worship this Idol. Lord Vishnu was pleased with their worship and devotion. Lord Vishnu appeared and blessed them with the fortune that he himself will be born as their child taking four re-births in three different forms and in four different situations. In the fourth rebirth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Vishnu was born as their eighth child Krishna. This is the greatness and glory of the idol, that lord Krishna himself installed this idol at Dwarka and worshiped it knowing that the idol represents none other but himself.
Installation Of Guruvayur Idol
Krishna foretold to his friend and devotee, Uddhava that the island of Dwaraka would be swept away by the sea, seven days after he forgoes his mortal body for heavenly adobe. He instructed him to rescue the precious idol of Vishnu and hand it over to Brihaspati. Lord Brihaspati with the help of Lord Vayu (the god of wind) came almost to the sea shore where in present town of Guruvayur now stands. Looking down, Brihaspati saw a beautiful lake filled with lotuses, on the banks of which Shiva and Parvati were dancing. They prostrated before Shiva and begged to advise him of a perfect spot to install the idol of Vishnu.
Shiva said that this was indeed the ideal place. He told them to build the temple right here at one end of the lake where He and Parvati had been dancing. He magnanimously said that he himself would take up residence at the other end of the lake which was known as Rudratirtha. The temple of Mammiyoor to which Shiva shifted still exists. However, during the course of time, the lake dried up and now only the temple tank adjoining the Guruvayur temple remains.
Shiva said that this was indeed the ideal place. He told them to build the temple right here at one end of the lake where He and Parvati had been dancing. He magnanimously said that he himself would take up residence at the other end of the lake which was known as Rudratirtha. The temple of Mammiyoor to which Shiva shifted still exists. However, during the course of time, the lake dried up and now only the temple tank adjoining the Guruvayur temple remains.
The Guruvayur Temple
The Guruvayur is combination of two words "guru", which means preceptor and "vayu", which means wind. It has special connotations as idol was installed by Brihasapati, the guru of the gods and Vayu, the god of wind. The idol of the Guruvayur is considered extremely sacred by the Hindus. The small statue of the temple is carved out of a magnetic stone known as black antimony or "patalanjana stone". This magnetic stone is said to have some special medicinal values.
Sesame oil is poured on the idol every morning followed by sprinkling a special herbal cleansing powder known as "vaka". Vaka is made of up herbs and is light brown in color which adds hue to the idol. Since the stone of idol is considered to have some miraculous properties, this holy water is eagerly drunk by the devotees.
Important Festivals at Guruvayur Temple
The important festival celebrated is JANMASTHAMI, KUMBHAM UTSAVAM and EKADASI along with an annual festival. Annual festival celebration begins with the hosting of the holy flag on a golden mast erected in front of the Guruvayur temple. The holy rope for this flag is brought from Shree Maha Vishnu temple of Panangad (Kochi).
Dress Code For Devotees at Guruvayur
FOR MEN: Men are supposed to wear MUNDU around their waist with bare chest. Only a small piece of cloth veshthi is allowed to cover their chest part. Boys can wear shorts but wearing shirts is prohibited for them also.
FOR WOMEN: Women are supposed to wear sari n girls have to wear long skirt with blouse. Western dresses like trouser or short skirts are not allowed for both girls and women. But now a day’s dress code for women has been relaxed to wear salwar kameez or churidar pyjama. Hindu women in Kerala or other Sothern temple are not supposed to cover their heads just like in temple of northern area.
Rules And Regulations at Guruvayur
Devotees are supposed to follow strict rules and regulation while entering Guruvayur temple. Just like any other temple, footwear is strictly restricted inside the temple area. Electronic gadget like cell phone or cameras is strictly not allowed for security reason. NON HINDUS are not allowed inside the temple.
(click on Krishna Wallpaper to view large size)
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