Thrissur Travel Guide
¤ Guruvayur
Distance : 31km from
Thrissur
¤ Attraction of Sri Krishna
Temple
The Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur attracts thousands of pilgrims,
making the town one of the major pilgrim centres in the country. It is
believed that the idols were installed and consecrated by Guru, the
Preceptor of the gods, and Vayu, the God of Winds. Experts say that
the temple dates back to the pre-16th century period.
 The
temple is linked with Melpathoor Narayana Bhattathiri who composed his
Sanskrit work Narayaneeyam while staying in the temple. The outer
enclosure of the temple has a 33.5m high gold-plated dhwajastambalam,
or flagpost. The sreekoil or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is
two storeyed, and houses the presiding deity (Lord Krishna) of the
temple.
The idol of Krishna has four arms with a discus, conch, mace and a
lotus in each hand. The idol is adorned with garlands of pearls and
marigold. There is a 7m high dipastambha or pillar of lamps that has
13 circular receptacles. When lit, the lamp is a dazzling display of
lights. The temple also houses the images of other deities like
Ganesha, Ayyappa and Edattedattu Kavil Bhagawathi.
¤ Punnathur Kotta Fort
The fort is located at a distance of 4km from the temple, houses as
many as 40 elephants. Wild elephants are also trained here.
¤ Utsavam Festival
is a ten-day festival during which an elephant race is held. It is
also accompanied by elephant processions and dance performances. |
