The Guruvayoor Temple, also known as the Guruvayoor Shri Krishna Temple is dedicated to Lord Guruvayurappan, a four-armed form of Lord Shri Vishnu, and situated in Thrissur District, Guruvayoor Town of Kerala. This temple welcomes many devotees per year and has become the fourth-largest temple in India. This temple offers many vazhipadu (Malayalam word for offerings to deities) which I have listed on this blog.
Regarding Guruvayoor Temple
History of Temple
According to mythology, this temple was actually built by the Divine artist Vishwakarma, and the idol of Shri Krishna was created by “Guru” referring to Brihashpati, and “Vayoor” referring to the God of Winds. When Dwarka was immersed under the water, Guru and Vayoor were given the responsibility to find the same place and develop a new temple of Lord Shri Krishna, now it is popular as “Bhoolokavaikunta” or the “Paradise on Earth.” Archeologists believe that this temple is more than 5000 years old, and was rebuilt in 1638 A.D. This temple became one of the most popular temples in Kerala for five devotees- Prince Manadevan, Kururamma, Melpattur, Poonthanam, and Vilvamangalam. According to architectural aspects, the temple is built like Lord Surya is paying his faith to Lord Vishnu on Vishnu day because the first ray of Sun goes directly to the feet of Lord Guruvayurappan.
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How to Reach Guruvayoor Temple
Temple Location: East Nada, Guruvayoor Temple, Thrissur District, Kerala: 680101
By Road: This temple is located only 4 km. away from the NH-66. From Thrissur, it will take 30 minutes by car to reach the temple. KSRTC bus also runs near the temple and connects all the major cities of Kerala.
By Train: One can easily reach the temple through railway routes. Thrissur railway station, one of the most popular railway stations in South India, is situated 30 km. distance from the temple. One can easily take an auto or taxi from the railway station to reach the temple.
By Air: There are two airport options: Cochin International Airport (Located 80 km. away from the temple) and Calicut International Airport (Located 80 km. away from the temple). One can easily take a taxi from the airport to reach the temple.
Temple Timings
Morning Visiting Time for Devotees: 3:00 a.m. To 1:30 p.m.
Evening Visiting Time for Devotees: 4:30 p.m To 9:15 p.m
Pooja Timings
| 3:00 a.m – 3:30 a.m | Nirmalyam |
| 3:30 a.m. – 4:15 a.m | Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram |
| 4:15 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. | Usha Nivedyam |
| 4:30 a.m. – 6:15 a.m. | Ethirettu pooja |
| 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Seeveli, Palabhishekam, Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam |
| 11:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. | Ucha pooja |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Seeveli |
| 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. | Deeparadhana |
| 7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m | Athazha pooja Nivedyam |
| 7:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. | Athazha pooja |
| 8:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Athazha seeveli |
| 9:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. | Thrippuka, Olavayana |
Best Months to Visit the Temple: October to March
Weather Update
| Summer Season | 23°C – 37°C |
| Winter Season | 17°C – 25°C |
| Monsoon Season | 25°C – 30°C |
Entry Fee: Free
VIP Entry Fee: INR 1000/adult person, INR 4500/five people group
Temple Dress Code
- For Men, Plain White or Cream Colour Dhoti
- For Women, Sarees, Blouse, Skirts and Churidar
- For Children, Shorts without covering their upper body
- Entrance to the Temple only after a holy dip in Temple Pond (Rudratheertham)
- All devotees need to be clean while visiting the temple
Temple Offerings
This temple is famous for having several offerings from the devotees to the Deity. It is also believed that no one returns from the temple without offering anything. It might sound like a bribe, but it is not. These offerings refer to the things that are affordable by the devotees with their full faith. Because the Lord only accepts the faith and rejects other things. I am putting here a few items from the 2025-updated list (You will find the complete list here – https://guruvayoor.in/offerings.html) of offerings and their charges for the facility of devotees who are planning to visit Lord.
| Offerings | Price (INR) |
| Pal Payasam (1 l.) | 120 |
| Nei Payasam (1 l.) | 180 |
| Sarkara Payasam (1 l.) | 160 |
| Ada | 20 |
| Avil | 10 |
| Butter After Jam | 5 |
| Purusha Sooktham | 3 |
| Kalabham 1 Ball | 1500 |
| Ghee Lamp | 1 |
| Thali Puja | 10 |
| Oil Abhishekam (250 ml.) | 200 |
| Geetha (1 Chapter) | 2 |
| Sastha Archana | 3 |
| Sabarimala | 10 |
| Anayoottu | 12000 |
| Go-Pooja | 250 |
| Go-Preethy | 10 |
| Elephants Maintenance | Any Amount |
| Vahana Pooja | 300 |
| Milk Abhishekam | 44 |
| Nivedyakooru | 1 |
| Kadali | 4.50 |
*This temple is also popular for Thulabharam, Choroonu/Annaprashan, Annadhanam, and Temple Wedding
Thulabharam
Thulabharam refers to offering any items including “water,” “coconut,” “butter,” “sugar,” “fruits,” “copper,” “silver,” “gold” and other items equal to the weight of one. This offering starts from 5 am to 12:30 p.m. in the morning and again from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the evening. There are three total counters for Thulabharam in the temple. The facilities of weighing one person and the items are available on both sides of the entrance to the temple. Devaswom mostly supplies the materials, no advance booking is required. You can visit https://guruvayoor.in/thulabharam.html to know the offering rates of Thulabharam in detail.
Choroonu/Annaprashan
Choroonu refers to the ceremony of taking rice for the child for the first time. Many devotees perform this ceremony in front of Lord Vishnu and take his blessings. The items including cooked rice, jaggery, sugar, and milk are served to children in a banana leaf and the children need to taste all the provided items in front of Lord Vishnu. This offering is performed from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Choroon hall where a 100 rupees ticket needs to be booked before entering the hall. Individuals need to pay 100 rupees more for five photos of the ceremony. Father, mother, and child are allowed to enter the temple showing this Choroon ceremony ticket directly, without standing in a queue. Please note, Choroonu does not take place on Ekadashi day, and Vavu night.
Annadhanam
The temple has an offering of Annadhanam where people can donate any amount of money to feed poor people. This is performed outside the temple, at Annalakshmi Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Temple Wedding
This temple is one of the popular temples in South India where most of the marriages take place. It is believed that bride and groom, both can start their new journey with the blessing of Shri Lord Vishnu. There are some rituals and rules that need to be followed by the devotees to perform marriage ceremonies in this temple.
- Online booking for marriage is not available. You have to book the ticket for marriage and photography 30 days before the marriage or you can collect the ticket 3 hours before the marriage on the same day.
- Thali Pooja for marriage is done at 100 INR cost.
- Marriage is performed at any time between 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Brides are instructed to wear saree and grooms are instructed to wear dhotis and shirts.
- Eight members are allowed to enter with the bride and groom.
- Two photographers and two videographers are allowed to enter the temple to capture the marriage ceremony.
- Registration is not done in the temple, it is done in the Guruvayoor Municipality.
Udhayasthamana Pooja
This is another offering, where devotees are allowed to do routine poojas from sunrise to sunset adding more than fifteen special poojas for ten years. Festivals in Guruvayoor
- Guruvayoor Utsavam: This festival is conducted during the Kumbha month, the flag is hoisted 70 feet high of the temple in starting and lowering the flag after 10 days of starting, referring to the end of the festival.
- Guruvayoor Ekadashi: This is celebrated once a year in the Veluthapaksham in Vrischikam month.
- Vishu: The first day of Malayali falls in the middle of April month is celebrated here.
- Vaishka: This is performed during the lunar month, following the new moon of Metan, which falls between April to May.
Nearby Attractions
- Harikanyaka Temple
- Venkatachalapathy Temple
- Nava Mukunda Temple
- Chamundeshwari Temple
- Chavakkad Beach
- Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Check the video to see the tour and appearance of Guruvayoor Temple
Hotels Near Guruvayoor Temple
Sree Gokulam Vanamala
Price Starting from INR 1400
Distance from Temple: 3 minutes walking distance
Location: Inner Ring Road, East Nadu, Guruvayur, Kerala: 680101
Contact Number: 080897 96702
Guruvayur Homestay
Price Starting from INR 2385
Distance from Temple: 8 minutes walking distance
Location: Pulikkottil, Guruvayoor, Kerala: 680101
Contact Number: Not given
Hotel Vishnu Inn
Price Starting from INR 2175
Distance from Temple: 4 minutes walking distance
Location: Inner Ring Road, East Nadu, Kuppaayil, Guruvayur, Kerala: 680101
Contact Number: 085890 03254
FAQ
Is Photography allowed inside the Guruvayoor temple?
Not allowed
When is Guruvayoor Ekadashi in 2025?
1st December 2025
Do I need to book an advance ticket for Guruvayoor Temple darshan?
No, but if you do not want to stand in a crowded queue, you have to make an advance booking from the online website.
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