28 January 2025/

ENCHANTING TEMPLES OF KERALA: A JOURNEY THROUGH CULTURAL SPLENDOR

Kerala, a land of enchanting cultural vibrancy and hues, is renowned for its grand celebrations and wonderful festivals that are celebrated with great pomp and show. The state’s temples, many of which are monuments of national importance, are famous for their incredible architecture, which combines wood, brass work, brass carvings, statues, laterite, and murals. These temples also host traditional cultural events with divine chanting of hymns and musical extravaganzas, making them truly panoramic and captivating.

With exquisite edifices and intricate carvings, the architecturally iconic temples in Kerala are known for their unique rituals and vibrant festivities.

GURUVAYUR TEMPLE, GURUVAYUR

Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, the holy abode of Lord Krishna and also known as “Vaikundam,” is one of the most renowned pilgrim centres in South India. Situated in the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur, the temple is famous for marriages and other ceremonies, attracting a multitude of devotees and making it a grand celebration. The temple is built in the traditional Kerala architectural style.

The temple is open from 3 AM to 9:30 PM and stays closed for darshan between 1:30 PM to 4 PM.

The temple celebrates many festivals, including the Guruvayoor Ekadashi, Vaishakam, Ashtami Rohini, and the famous “Guruvayoor Aanayottam” or elephant race, an extraordinary spectacle held at the temple featuring an exquisite contest of speed, marking the beginning of the annual ten-day Guruvayur Festival in the Malayalam month of Kumbham (February-March).

The most popular offering at Guruvayoor Temple is Thulabharam, where devotees are weighed against bananas, sugar, jaggery and coconuts equivalent to their weight on a giant pair of scales. The wall of the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with ancient 17th-century murals depicting stories from the epics.