Sri Guruvayurappan (who is sometimes referred to as a powerful form of Lord Sri Krishna) is the main deity at the temple of Guruvayur located in Thrissur district in Kerala, India. The word Guruvayurappan, means Lord of Guruvayur, coming from Guru (Brihaspati, the Guru of the Devas), Vayu (the God of Wind) and Appan (Father or Lord) in Malayalam. The stories say that the idol of Lord Guruvayurappan was worshiped by Vasudeva, father of Lord Krishna and represents the full manifestation of Lord Maha Vishnu.
Before the conclusion of his incarnation as Krishna, the Lord told his Minister Uddhava that the idol would come floating in the sea, which would engulf Dwaraka. Udhava was asked to request Brihaspati, the Guru of the Gods, to install the idol at a suitable place. When the idol came floating, Brihaspati (Guru) and Vayu (the God of wind) took it and set out in search of a sacred place. At Kerala, they met Parasurama (an earlier avatar of Lord Vishnu), who was on his way to Dwaraka to bring the very same idol. Parasurama led them to a beautiful lake full of lotus flowers.
Lord Shiva was doing penance there and he told Guru and Vayu to install the idol together at a spot near the lake and that the site should be known as “GURUVAYUPURA”. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi left for Mammiyoor, on the opposite bank of the lake. Vishwakarma, the architect of the Gods, built the Sri Krishna temple at the instance of Guru and Vayu.
The presiding deity in the Garbhagraha is Lord Maha Vishnu, worshiped according to the pooja routines laid down by Adi Sankaracharya and later converted to Tantra Samuccaya in 15th century. The idol of Guruvayurappan is made of “Pathala Anjanam” or black bismuth stone, and is in a standing pose with four arms carrying the Shanku (conch), the Chakra (discuss), the Gada (mace), and Padma (lotus).
Guruvayur is also hailed as “Bhooloka Sri Vaikundam” or Vaikundam of the World, where the Lord reveals himself to his devotees in the same majestic form as in Vaikunda, his celestial abode.
Guruvayur Ekadasi falls in the month of Vrischika (Mid-November to Mid-December). Observing Ekadasi is believed to have a purifying effect that washes away the sins of a lifetime if one happens to see the Ekadasi Vilakku (lights).
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. In celebration of this festival, Sri Ganesha Temple has a Shobha Yatra for the little kids who are all dressed as little baby Krishnas, Gopikas and Radhas, after which they will play the game of “Uriyadi”
Vishu marks the day when Sun is going to enter the Aries zodiac. It is believed that the festival of Vishu marks the demon king Ravana's defeat by Lord Ram and the day when the sun could finally rise from the east. Sri Ganesha Temple worships Maha Vishnu in the form of Krishna dressed in front of the Vishu Kani, and devotees come to see the Vishu Kani Kanal first thing in the morning and participate in the Vishu Kaineetam.
On every Ekadasi, Sri Guruvayurappan is worshiped, with Abhishekam, and the recitation of Vishnu Sahasranamam, parts of Narayaneeyam and Achyutashtakam.
About
Weekly Pujas
6:45 pm Vishnu Sahasranamam Chanting (Thursdays)
Monthly Pujas
6:45 pm Ekadasi Sri Guruvayurappa Abhishekam
(every Ekadasi)