Guruvayoor :Guruvayoorappan :'Patala Anjanam' idol:Festivals -Ashtami Rohini 'Sukla Paksha Ekadasi ,Kuchela day

One of the famous temples of India, Guruvayoor is situated in an out-of-the way village in Chavakkad taluk, though it draws a vast concourse of pilgrims from every part of the country. Devotees are thronging to this temple not to see and appreciate the variety of its structural patterns or to revel in the festivals celebrated there, but only to feel the air of benediction that pervades this famous shrine of Guruvayoorappan and to invoke his blessings. Though the structure of the temple is comparatively small, its fame is fabulously widespread. The main idol of this temple is that of Lord Vishnu. The idol, made of a rare stone 'Patala Anjanam' which is supposed to have great healing qualities, especially for rheumatism, with a chank (conch), Chakra (wheel) gada (mace), Pankajam (Lotus) in its four arms and radiant smile on its lips, looks bewitchingly beautiful. Entering the portals of the temple, one is ever whelmed by the pervading atmosphere of piety and devotion.

Just behind the entrance to the temple is the Anakkottil (camp of elephants) and behind it, the golden flag staff. Adjacent to this is the 'Koothambalam'. Taking a round of the temple proper, one reaches the front of the Krishnattasala, a small structure wide open on all sides. It was here that Krishnatoom used to be staged. The mandapam just in front of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is resplendent with beautiful carvings. The paintings around the sreekovil depicting stories of the childish pranks of Sree Krishna stand out as works of everlasting beauty of the ancient art.

The important religious festivals celebrated in this temple are:

1. Ashtami Rohini in Chingom (August-September)

2. Sukla Paksha Ekadasi in Vrischikom (Novermber-December)

3. Kuchela day in Dhanu (December-January) the day on which Kuchela visited Sree Krishna with beaten rice.