Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
ഗുരുവായൂർ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ ക്ഷേത്രം
Lord Vishnu (Worshipped as Balakrishna) · Guruvayur, Kerala
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About the temple
One of the most important pilgrimage sites in India; famous for 'Thulabharam' and elephant offerings. Prosperity, health, progeny, and spiritual salvation.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 03:00 – 22:00
- Best time to visit
- 03:00 AM (Nirmalyam) or Afternoon (for shorter queues)
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Vishnu (Worshipped as Balakrishna) · ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പൻ (Guruvayurappan)AyyappaBhagavathyLord Ganesha
- Deity form
- Standing four-armed Vishnu (Panchajanya, Sudarshana, Kaumodaki, Padma)
- Religious tradition
- Kerala Tantric Sampradaya (Strict Adi Shankara protocol)
- Sanskrit name
- श्री गुरुवायुपुर श्रीकृष्ण मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Bhuloka Vaikuntha (Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth)
Darshan hours
- Monday
- 03:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Tuesday
- 03:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Wednesday
- 03:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Thursday
- 03:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Friday
- 03:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Saturday
- 03:00 - 14:00, 16:30 - 22:00
- Sunday
- 03:00 - 14:30, 16:30 - 22:00
- Break timings
- 01:30 PM to 04:30 PM
- Special days
- Open later during Utsavam and Ekadashi
- Festival timings
- Open all night on Ekadashi
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 03:00
- Midday aarti
- 12:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:15
- Night aarti
- 21:00
- Special aarti days
- Thursdays and Guruvayur Ekadashi
- Ritual schedule
- Strict 12-stage daily pooja schedule including 'Seeveli'.
- Pooja timings
- Constant rituals from 3 AM to 10 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Early morning (Vakacharthu)
- Special poojas
- Thulabharam, Choroonu (First feeding), Udayastamana Pooja
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Legend says Guru (Brahpati) and Vayu (Wind God)
- Architect / builder
- Viswakarma (as per legend)
- Construction materials
- Granite, Laterite, Teak wood, Gold plating
- Historical events
- The 1931-32 Guruvayur Satyagraha for temple entry for all Hindus.
- Renovations
- Major reconstruction after a fire in 1970
- Archaeological importance
- Ancient mural paintings and historic inscriptions.
- Legends
- The idol was worshipped by Krishna’s father, Vasudeva, in Dwarka.
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Multi-layered; largely 17th Century and post-1970 restoration
- Structure
- Square complex with a gold-plated Dhwaja Stambha (Flagstaff).
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Two-tier Eastern and Western Padippuras
- Mandapa
- Gold-plated Namaskara Mandapam
- Sculptural features
- Iconic four-armed idol made of Pathalanjana Shila.
- Artistic elements
- Famous Kerala murals and wood carvings on the Sreekovil.
- Construction technique
- Traditional Kerala Wood & Stone Masonry
- Unique features
- Famous for the 'Punnathur Kotta' Elephant Sanctuary housing over 50 elephants.
Festivals & events
Guruvayur EkadashiChembai SangeethotsavamVishu
- Festival calendar
- November-December and April
- Special celebration days
- Janmashtami (Ashtami Rohini)
- Cultural events
- Chembai Music Festival (15 days of classical music)
- Annual events
- 10-day Annual Utsavam in Kumbham month
- Peak crowd season
- All year; extremely high in April, August, and December
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- 03:00 AM (Nirmalyam) or Afternoon (for shorter queues)
- Parking capacity
- 1000+ vehicles
- Parking fees
- Paid
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, Card, UPI, Online
- Prasadam
- Palpayasam, Kadumpayasam, Appam