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Pooja Tradition

Lord Mahavishnu in Guruvayur has been worshipped according to the pooja routines laid down by Adi Shankaracharya. And later as prescribed in Tantra-Samuchaya, the manual codified by Chennas Narayanan Namboodiri (born in 1427), one of the main textual sources for the temple-based, Tantric ritual tradition of Kerala.

The Chennas Namboodiris are the hereditary Tantri (priest) of Guruvayur temple. But devotees at large, invoke the Lord at Guruvayur as Balakrishna

Architecture

[#bar]Temple faces East with two Gopurams (tower).The one in the east is called Kizhakke Nada and the one is West is called Padinjare Nada.

In the front and the east side of the Nalambalam (temple enclosure) lie two Deepasthambham ( pillars of light ).
The eastern side Deepasthambham is 24 feet in height and has thirteen circular receptacles for oil lamps, making it an absolutely spectacular when lit.

Another popular highlight is the Dwajasthambam, the flag-staff. It's about 70 feet tall, covered with gold.

The square shaped Sree Kovil (Sanctum - Sanctorum) is where the idol of Sree Krishna is placed.

Inside the Nalambalam there are smaller shrines dedicated to Ganapathy, Lord Ayyappa and Edathedathu Kavil Bhagavathy.

Temple Timings:
Open 03:00 - 12:30 hrs & 16:30 - 21:15 hrs
Closed 12.30 - 16:30 hrs.

Pooja Timings: at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple

On regular days temple opens 3am and closes around 12.30pm.
Re-opens at 4.30pm and closes around 10 pm.

Normally there are five poojas and three circumambulatory processions called Sreeveli, propitiating the celestial deities and carrying the Loard's Thidambu on elephant's back. Devotees can witness this inside the temple compound.

During the days of Udayasthamana Poojas (day long poojas) there will be a total of twenty one poojas.
During this time temple opens at 3am

Ekadasi Festival

( Typically during November or December, every year )

[#bar]Ekadasi, the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight, is very auspicious in Hindu traditions. Of the 24 Ekadasis in an year, the Vrischika Ekadasi (Suklapaksha) has significance in Guruvayur. Vrishchikam Shukla Paksha Ekadasi is known as Guruvayur Ekadasi.

Guruvayur Ekadasi is observed according to Solar Calendar and because of that Guruvayur Ekadasi might fall either in Kartik or in Margashirsha month the Lunar calendar.

[#bar] Ekadasi Festival falls in the Mandala season. The Navami (9th day) and Dasami (10th day) are also significant in Guruvayur. Ekadasi Vilakku (lighting the temple with traditional oil lamp) starts a month before the Ekadasi day with community participation.

[#bar] On Navami day, the Vilakku is lit with ghee as an offering by Kolady family.

The Dasami Vilakku which used to be an offering of Zamorin Raja, is now conducted by Guruvayurappan Sankeerthana Trust.

After the temple is open on this day for Nirmalya darshan (3 am) will remains open till 9 am on Dwadasi Day (12th day), facilitates continues darshan for devotees throughout Dashami and Ekadashi Days.

After the morning seeveli, on Ekadasi there is a grant elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple since it is regarded as Geethopadesam Day also.

Chembai Sangeetholsavam

Chembai Sangeetholsavam is the two weeks long annual Carnatic music festival held in Guruvayur culminating on the Guruvayur Ekadasi day. The festival is held at the temple premises in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, one of the titans of Carnatic classical music and an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan.

About 3000 musicians participate Chembai Sangeetholsavam every year. All the musicians sing five favorite songs of Chembai and also the Pancharatna Kritis of Thyagaraja.

Another highlight of the Ekadasi Festival is the memorial honour for Gajarajan Kesavan, the legendary celebrated temple elephant in Kerala.
The elephants of Guruvayoor Devaswom lines up before Keshavan's statue and the chief elephant garlands it, paying tribute.

On Ekadasi after night pooja the famous Ekadasi Vilakku with elephant procession takes place as the grand finale to the festival.

Guruvayur Ekadashi days (calculated)