Guruvayur.

Guruvayoor is among India's most important pilgrimage centres. It is known as the Dwaraka of the South. The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date, prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that the temple was created by the Guru - the Preceptor of the Devas and Vayu, the Lord of the Winds.

The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. It is at this temple that Melpatur Narayan Bhattathiri composed his well-known Sanskrit devotional poem 'Narayaneeyam'.

The temple is renowned for its healing powers. Several offerings are made to the deity here from the simple 'Archana' (offering of flowers) to the expensive and elaborate 'Udayastamana' pooja or 'Thulabharam' where a devotee is weighed against offering of bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts.

Guruvayur is the site for weddings and Annaprasanam, the first feeding ceremony of a child. The temple, according to number of devotees per day, is the fourth biggest temple in India after Badari, Puri and Thirupathi. The deity Guruvayoorappan is Lord Maha Vishnu with four arms, even though the devotees worship him as Lord Krishna, the complete man incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu.

The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam(outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 m high gold plated wajasthambam (flag post). There is also a 7 m high dipastambham (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square sreekovil is the sacred sanctum Sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity.

Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. The walls of the sanctum sanctorum are inlaid with exquisite mural paintings and carvings.Ulsavam: This festival is conducted in the month of Kumbha, i.e., in February or March and lasts for 10 days. The hoisting of the temple flag atop the flagstaff (Dwajastambham) about 70 feet high marks the beginning of the festival.

On the 1st day, an elephant race is held. The next 6 days, devotees can witness elephant processions in the morning, afternoon and night. In the morning, there is the Sribhuta Bali (offering of oblation at various altar). Besides this there are also various cultural programs. On the 8th day, during 'Utsavabali' (from 10 am to 4 pm) oblations are offered to the Lord's lieutenants. A sumptuous feast then awaits the devotees.

Pallivetta or the hunting expedition of the Lord takes place on the 9th day. This hunt is symbolic of the destruction of Kama (desire), Krodha (anger) and other such evils that plague us in our life. After that the Lord's idol is takan to the Rudratheertha (temple pond) for Aarattu, amidst the chanting of mantras. Thousands of devotees also take the dip, chanting the Lord's name to wash off their sins.

Then noon Pooja (which takes place at night only on this day) is held at the Bhagavati shrine. Finally, the Lord returns to the sanctum sanctorum after 11 circumambulations. The temple flag is then lowered signifying the end of the festival.Vishu: The Malayali New Year day, Vishu, falls on the 1st of Medam month (mid-April).

During this festival, a kani (omen) consisting of konna flowers , raw rice, gold, betel leaves and nuts, yellow cucumber and coins, are so arranged in front of the family deity in the previous night itself, so that one sees them at first glimpse on waking up in the morning.Seeing the kani at Guruvayur is considered very auspicious and hence millions of devotees stay overnight, blindfold themselves and set their eyes on the Kani and the glorious deity as the doors are as usual opened for the dharshan at 3 a.m.

Ashtami Rohini: In the month of Chingam (July-Aug), under the Rohini Nakshatra, on the 8th day of the waning moon of Sravana is the day of Lord Krishna's birth i.e. Janmashtami. A very special day in all Sree Krishna temples, Guruvayur Devaswom itself offer a niramala (full of garlands and lamps), devotees flock in with cakes of rice paste and jaggery considered the most favourite food of the Lord on that day.