Temple
According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. But there are no historical records to establish it. In the 14th century Tamil literature ‘Kokasandesam’, references about a place called Kuruvayur is there. As early as 16th century (50 years after the Narayaneeyam was composed) many references are noted about Kuruvayur. In ancient Dravidic, Kuruvai means sea, hence the village on the coast may be called Kuruvayur.
But according to Prof. K V Krishna Iyer (eminent historian), the Brahmins had begun to come and settle at Kodungalloor during the period of Chandra Gupta Maurya ( 321-297 BC). Trikkunavay in the Guruvayur documents is the same as Thrikkanamathilakam or Mathilakam mentioned in the Dutch and British records. And this place was in between Guruvayur and Kodungalloor. Guruvayur was Trikkunavay’s subordinate shrine since they were destroyed by the Dutch in 1755. That way Guruvayur must have come into existence before 52 AD. The story of Pandyan King building a shrine here may be a reference to the Azhavars , but they are all silent in their writing about Guruvayur.
It was Melpathur’s Narayaneeyam through which the Temple got publicity. The concept of Unnikrishna popularised by Poonthanam , Kururamma, and Villwamangalam brought more and more devotees to Guruvayur.
Mamankam was a very famous event at Thirunavaya, on the bank of Bharathappuzha . The war between the Zamorins and the Raja of Valluvanad of Thirunavaya in a way popularised Guruvayur temple. Due to the prolonged war people across the river bank started preferring Guruvayur. Even the Zamorin become a devotee and thus his subjects followed him completely . The central shrine which we see today is said to have been rebuilt in 1638 AD. Vishwabali was performed later to propitiate all the spirits, good and bad. By the end of 16th century Guruvayur had become most popular pilgrimage center in Kerala. In 1716 AD, the Dutch raided Guruvayur. They looted treasures , gold of the flag staff, and set fire to the Western Gopuram. It was later rebuilt in 1747 AD. In 1755AD ,the Dutch in war with the Zamorin destroyed Trikkunavay temple and the Brahmins fled from there.Later the Zamorin become the trustee of both Guruvayur and Trikkunavay, and also their Melkoyma (Sovereign protector). In 1766 AD , Hyder Ali of Mysore captured Kozhikkode (Calicut) and then Guruvayur. He fined 10,000 fanams to spare the temple . This fine was paid but due to insecurity pilgrims receded , the supply of rice was stopped and the tenants stopped annual dues. On the request of the Malabar Governor, Shrnivasa Rao, Hyder Ali granted a Devadaya (free gift) and the temple was saved from extinction. Again in 1789 AD Tippu Sultan invaded Zamorin’s province. Apprehending the destruction, the idol was hidden underground and the Utsava vigraha was taken to Ambalapuzha by Mallisseri Namboodiri and Kakkad othikkan. Tippu destroyed the smaller shrines and set fire to the Temple, but it was saved due to timely rain. Tippu lost to the Zamorin and the English in 1792 AD. The idol hidden underground and the Utsava vigraha were re-installed on September 17th , 1792. But the daily poojas and routines were seriously affected.
The Ullanad Panickers rescued and looked after the temple for good 75 years ( 1825 to 1900). Like Chempakassery Namboodiri and Deshavarma Namboodiri ,the Panickers offered everything from service to property. Thus with their help daily pooja and Utsavam (annual festival ) were once again restored.
From 1859 to 1892, the Chuttambalam,the Vilakkumatam, the Koothambalam and Sastha shrine were renovated and roofed with copper sheeting. In 1900, Sri Konthi Menon , as a manager fixed the hours of worship and led the drive to keep the temple premises clean. He set up the big bell and reconstructed Pathayapura (granary). In 1928, the Zamorin once again become the administrator of Guruvayur.
In 1931-32 , Late Kelappan (known as “Kerala Gandhi” ) led the Guruvayur Satyagraham to secure the entry of lower castes in temples. The lower castes were allowed to go only up to Thiyyarambalam, more than about half kilometer from the temple. He started a fast unto death in front of the Eastern Gopuram . He broke the fast at the insistence of Mahatma Gandhi. It did not produce any immediate result but led to the entry of Dalits in various Kerala temples.
In 1947, the Guruvayur temple was also opened for the entry of all Hindus. Later, namaskara sadya (feast ),which was only for Brahmins was scrapped and was opened to everyone irrespective of caste.
Before the British occupation, Guruvayur was a temple state. As a state it had a well defined government, law and order maintenance, army and judicial jurisdiction. As a colony of Trikkunavay , Guruvayur had certain obligations too. It had to receive the permission of the parent temple to celebrate the Annual Utsavam (festival ).
[B]The Sovereign Lord[/B]- As a temple state, its sovereignty resided in the Lord himself. All deeds and documents were drawn up in his name. The last item in the daily routine before temple closure is the reading of the Tirthola ( the sacred palm leaf ), which details the day’s expenditure. The Lord has also a private account of his own. All the remuneration, unused properties etc.. were credited to the Lord’s account. The annual Utsavam corresponds to the annual birthday celebrations of a sovereign king.
The Lord thus holds dual office – As an owner of own land of temple of Trikkunavay but also as a tenant of the temples which comes under it.[B]
Uralars[/B]- The Lord handled the functions his state through the committee of uralars (or uralans) . This committee consisted only of members elected by the yogam or assembly. Later it became hereditary. In the 17th century, there were only seven families and they were all uralars. Possibly committee of uralars consisted seven members representing seven illams of Chomana, Mallisseri, Jnelliyur, Trithala, Tathamangalam, Pillanazhi and Arimpur. Of these Mallisseri alone is extant.
[B]Yogam[/B]- It consist of the heads of all the Namboodiri families of Guruvayur, around 72 . When the urayma became hereditary , yogam lost the selection right as well as examination of previous accounts. Yogam used to meet to consider budget and arrangements for annual festivals and poojas. It also looked after extraordinary rites of Viswabali after the renovation and consecration of the idol, attending major repairs in temples as well as hearing of the complaints and rendering the judgments
[B]The Meledam[/B]- As the parent settlement and apex of the order, Trikkunavay exercised a nominal control over the affairs of Guruvayur. Its consent was required for the annual festival , special worships like mandala pooja , Viswabali , renovation, installation and consecration etc. Normally its chief accountant, Kantiyur Pattar used to come with permission and supervised the ceremonies of Guruvayur.
[B]Kantiyur Pattar[/B]- ‘Pattar’ in Tamil means learned Brahmin or may be taken from Pattola karyakkar (ministry of accounts). Kantiyur is a village near Mavelik
kara. It is not known how Kantiyur Pattar became the hereditary accountant of Trikkunavay. The Kantiyur Pattar was one of the dignitaries who accompanied the Arattu procession. In 19th century, one Kantiyur Pattar , who was accompanying the procession was murdered. In memory of this event, an Athani was set up here and the Utsava procession comes to halt at this point and silence is made for a minute. A member of the Kantiyur family comes forward and bowing before the lord reads a palm leaf, “Namukku sankatam tirnnu” (I am consoled). After this the procession resumes in its usual style.
[B]Pura koyma[/B]- Koyma is derived from ‘ko’ (means king) or ‘kol’ (means rod), wielder of the rod . In every big temple there were two koymas, Pura and Aka koyma. The purakoyma was concerned with all external matters like the protection of the temple and its property and the execution of the decisions of the yogam and uralars.
[B]The Zamorins[/B] – When Punnathur became subject to the Zamorins, the latter became the Melkoyma (presiding Lord). Zamorins later became the protector of Trikkunavay and in 1757, he succeeded to become the owner of all the keezhedams of Trikkunavay including Guruvayur.
[B]The VanneriNambidi[/B]- The Vanneri Nambidi was Punnathur’s representative on the spot. His family seat was at Vanneri or Valiyankode. Later the family divided into two branches, the Kizhakke (Eastern) and Patinjare (Western) Vanneri. Kizhakke Nambidi was the elder branch and resided permanently at Guruvayur. He accompanied the Lord to Aarattukulam for Arattu and back to the temple as ‘akampadi’ (escort). He was the final authority on the celebration of Arattu. For the daily routines the two Nambidis sent their manushams.
The idol installed here at Guruvayur temple considered to be 5000 years old and lot of legends associated with it.
1030-Sreekovil and Mandapam renovated.1058-Koothambalam and Nalambalam reconstructed.12th century-Western Gopuram constructed.14th century-Tantra Samuchaya written by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri.14th century-Mentions of Kuruvayur in Tamil literature and Kokasandesam.1587-
Narayaneeyam composed.
1637-Temple records available in Kolezhuthu script.1638-The central shrine rebuilt.1716-Dutch raided Guruvayur and set fire to the Western Gopuram.1747-Western Gopuram rebuilt by Panikkaveettil Ittirayicha Menon, Karyasthan.1756-Dutch attacked and desecrated Trikkunavay ( Trikkana Mathilakam) to which Guruvayur was a Keezhedam (Subordinate temple).1757-Dutch again attacked Trikkunavay temple and the Devaswom dissolved.1757-Zamorin became the supervising trustee with Mallisseri as the co-trustee of Guruvayur.1766-Hyder Ali attacked Guruvayur.1780-”Devadaya” from Hyder Ali through Madras Governor Shri. Srinivasa Rao.1789-Tippu Sultan attacked Guruvayur – Utsavavigraha shifted to Ambalappuzha and Moolavigraha to a safe underground place.1792 September 17-Reinstallation of the Moolavigraha after the victory of Zamorins over Tippu with the help of British.1825 – 1892-Temple under the supervision of Court.1836-Installation of Deepasthambam in front of the gate way.1841-Government of Madras restored Devadaya appropriated by Tippu Sultan.1842-The Eastern Gopuram rebuilt.1859-Central shrine and mandapam covered with copper sheeting. A permanent flagstaff with bell metal covering set up.1889Dispute started between trustees . Even temple closed for over a week.1892-Chuttambalam, Vilakkumatam, Koothambalam and Sastha Shrine were renovated and roofed with copper sheets1893-Compromise was arrived between trustees.1900-Big bell was set up and reconstructed the Pathayapura (granary).1910-Deepasthambam at Eastern Gopuram installed by Shri Chettur Sankaran Nair.1916-A court of wards assumed the management of Zamorin’s Estate including Guruvayur temple.1922 January 4-Nadayiruthal of elephant “Kesavan”.1927-Zamorins got back the administrative powers from the Court of Wards.1930-A clear administrative scheme was framed by the High court of Madras with the Zamorin once again as the head.1931-Guruvayur Satyagraham started.1932-Temple remained closed for 12 days without pooja, because of Guruvayur Satyagraham.1946-Temple entry for all Hindus.1952-January 30- Flagstaff completely enclosed with gold.1964-Sree Krishna College started.1970-November 30 – Huge fire devastated the Temple.1971 March 9-Guruvayur Devaswom Act. Replaced the 1930 Scheme enacted by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras. The Kerala Government takes charge of the temple administration.1973-The honor ” Gajarajan” awarded to Kesavan on his Shashtiabda poorthi (60th birth day).1974 October 31-The temple renovation after fire completed.1978 March 2-A regular bill passed in the Kerala Assembly with some modification to the existing Guruvayur Devaswom Act – 1971.
On November30,1970,a massive fire broke out in the temple. It begin from the western chuttambalam and raged all around for five hours, but the Sreekovil, the Vigraha, sub-shrines of Ganapathy, Sastha, Bhagavathy and flag-staff remained unaffected. People from all walks of life, irrespective of age , caste, creed and religion fought the fire to set a glorious example. Later, the temple was once again built to the glory of the Lord. This shocking incidence of fire took place on 29th November during the season of Ekadasivilakku. On this day Vilakku was celebrated on a grand scale and all the lamps in the Vilakkumatam were lighted. After the Seeveli procession, the function came to an end and the gates of Gopuram were closed. Around 1.00 am, somebody in the immediate neighborhood near the western chuttambalam saw a blaze from within the Temple.Roused by the news, the whole lot of people, irrespective of caste, colour or creed rushed to the Temple and joined in fighting the fire with water and sand. Later, the fire force units of Ponnani,Trichur and FACT arrived and started fighting the fire which seems to have started from the western Vilakkumatam. It was brought under control by 5.30 am.
Seeing the uncontrollable fire , the authorities had already removed the valuables from the Sreekovil. The Ganapathy idol, Sastha idol and the main idol of Lord Guruvayurappan were shifted to the Koothambalam and then to a more safer place, the residence of the Tantri. The fire gutted the whole of chuttambalam, the entire Vilakkumatam on the west, south and north sides. The Chuttambalam was only 3 yards off, but still the fierce fire did not touch even the dry flower garlands, which hung on the corner of the Sreekovil.
Two committees were formed to undertake the renovation work. One committee was headed by the Devaswom Minister, Govt. of Kerala and another technical committee to advice on the renovation work. It had eminent engineers, astrologers and the Tantri as the members. The committee arrived at some general decisions.
a) To attract more devotees, all possible alterations to remove inconveniences which are permitted according to tantric principles.
b) To increase the moving space for worshippers by reducing the height of Chuttambalam basement. To provide granite pillars instead of wooden.
c) To put granite wall against the Vilakkumatam.
d) To provide a passage around the Ganapathy shrine to eliminate congestion.
e) To reconstruct the Ganapathy temple in granite.
f) To put a granite engraved “Ananthasayanam” in place of the old “Ananthasayanam” (Mahavishnu lying over serpent) painting which was lost in fire.
g) To widen the gates at the north and east entrances.
h) To reduce the size of the Nivedyathara at the south of the Mandapam.
Eminent astrologers of Kerala were requested to attend the meeting and decide about the Lord’s approval for above mentioned changes. Except the widening of two doors everything else were approved. The foundation stone for the renovation was laid by His Holiness Jagatguru Kanchi Kamakoti Matadhipathy Jayendra Saraswathy Swamikal. The ten round pillars in the two Vathilmatam were magnificently carved. The eastern pillar on the southern Vathilmatam, at the foot of which Melpathur meditated and wrote the Narayaneeyam was not removed. After the great fire, the Vilakkumatam, for the first time, was lighted on the Vishu day,14th April, 1973.
The superior staff in the administration were called Kovil adhikarikal, and lower staff as Kovil karmikal. The members of the staff were either given a monthly remuneration or assigned lands.
Aka koyma – The Aka koyma had to see that all the poojas and routine were performed at the proper time. He was the koyma or the supreme authority in the akam (temple matters as far as administration is concerned). He had his own room called koyma room.
Samudaya manusham – representative of the samudayam, consisting of the yogam and uralars.He was the chief executive, who does work in the name of Lord, as ordered by the uralar. As a servant he wasn’t appointed from the Guruvayur NamboodiriesIn ancient times, he was appointed by the uralar, subject to yogam approval.He used to get keys of Bandaram (cash box) with itangazhi (small measures). Since 1757, the Zamorins started appointing him and Mallisseri instructing.
Variyar – The official with whom people come in direct contact was the Variyar . They received offerings and made arrangements for performing them and were known as Pana-pravarthikkaran. The rendering of daily Tirthola (daily accounts) at night was done by them. Three families of Chowallur, Vadakkeppat and Tiruvankatam performed these functions every ten days in turn. They were called pathukar (ten day men).
Puthiyadathu Pisharodi – Pisharodi is a truncated form of Patarar tiruvati. Originally, the Patarar Tiruvati was the name of a Jain deity. After the ascendancy of Hinduism over Jainism , the tiruvati’s status deteriorated from a Aka Koyma to kazhakakkaran (sweeping the ankana, cleaning the vessels, making garlands etc.). The Puthiyadathu Pisharodi were the kazhakakkaran of Edatharikathu Kavu (Devi temple). Earlier they were also temple criers.
Daily Poojas at Guruvayur Temple
The timings given are approximate. It may vary if there is Udayasthamana pooja or on certain special occasions.
Temple opens at 3.00 am
3.00am to 3.30am Nirmalyam
3.20am to 3.30am Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam.
3.30am to 4.15am Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram.
4.15am to 4.30am Usha Nivedyam.
4.30am to 6.15am Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja.
7.15am to 9.00am Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhish ekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja.
11.30am to 12.30pm Ucha pooja (the noon pooja).
* Temple will be closed between 12.30pm.
Temple reopens at 4.30 pm
4.30pm to 5.00pm Seeveli.
6.00pm to 6.45pm Deeparadhana.
7.30pm to 7.45pm Athazha pooja Nivedyam.
7.45pm to 8.15pm Athazha pooja.
8.45pm to 9.00pm Athazha seeveli.
9.00pm to 9.15pm Thrippuka, Olavayana.
* 9.15pm The Sreekovil remains closed.
* Special illuminations called “Vilakku” The Thripuka is performed after that. The Sreekovil will be closed after Thripuka. Then the Krishnanattam, a colourful traditional dance-drama on Lord Krishna’s life is enacted inside the Temple on specified days.
Guruvayur Utsavam
At Guruvayur, the Utsavam lasts for ten days. Beginning on the day of Pushya (the 8th asterism) in the month of Kumbham ( February-March), it ends after the Aarattu on the 10th day.
Religiously, it is the restoration of divine Chaithanya. Brahmakalasam is preceded by the Utsavam. It is aimed at the purification and energisation of the powers of the deity. It is the last of the long series of rituals of kalasam and at the end, the flag will be hoisted heralding the Utsavam.
Culturally, it consists of various processions, illumination and modest fire-works (this is a specialty of Guruvayur Utsavam that no explosives are used, unlike most of the other Kerala temples). All ten days, the place wears a festive look, streets dressed up with arches, festoons etc., houses freshly thatched and painted. Every shrine and building is tastefully decorated with lights, plantain trunks, bunches of coconut and arecanuts. Two Gopurams and the bahyankana (outer-courtyard) are elaborately decorated with illuminations and eye-catching electric displays. The lamps, Deepasthambams and vilakku are all lightened.
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Aanayottam (Elephant race)
The Utsavam begins with Aanayottam, starting from Manjulal and ending at the flag staff. Religiously, Utsavam begins with the giving of koora (cloth) and pavithram (ring made of kusa grass) to the Tantri. In ancient times, the permission for the festival was taken from Pura koyma , Vanneri Nambidi and Kantiyur Pattar.
Malayidal
Malayidal (sowing of seeds) follows a number of pots, made of silver, filled with clay are kept at vathilmatam. Tantri sows various seeds, and pots are kept at mulayara.
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Guruvayur Kodiyettam
The Kodiyettam (hoisting of the flag) is performed at night after the Mulayidal. The chaithanya of Garuda is transferred to the flag. The flag and the flag-staff are worshiped by the Tantri. Then Puthiyadathu Pisharodi invites complaints from people, Chakkiyar performs Chakkiyar Koothu at the Koothambalam every day after the Ucha pooja till 3.30 pm.
Guruvayur Pallivetta
Pallivetta (the royal hunt) starts with the Lords arrival at the Samudaya madam (Devaswom Office). By the time Lord arrives , 40 to 50 peoples wearing masks resembling the boar, called Pannimanushams with their bodies covered with wigs and plantain leaves. Pannimanushams, each awaits with two helpers who are painted to look like a boar but without mask. After the Pisharodi’s call, pallivetta begins with the Lord on elephant run after the Pannimanushams. They take refuge around temple and at the end of the ninth round pannimanushams are beaten by the Lord.
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Guruvayur Arattu
As the Lord is tired by the pallivetta, the temple opens next day (tenth day), only after 6.00 am. The usual rituals are done except Usha pooja. There are