The Glory of Guruvayoor .

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Ohm SreeGurupavanapuradheesaya SreeKrishnaya Parabrahmane Namah :!!

The famous book Narayaneeyam (which has the stamp of approval of, Bhagavan Krishna Himself) says in its opening verse :

" That, which is Brahman , the embodiment of Infinite bliss and Pure Consciousness which is real and has no comparison , which is totally free from the limitations of time and space , well-expounded by innumerous expositions in the scriptures, which is instinct , but becomes the manifestation of Moksha , the ultimate of the four objects of human life immediately on realisation , liberated from the illusion of Maya ; And that shines verily , right in front of our eyes , in the shrine of Guruvayoor . Wonderful indeed, is the fortune of mankind !!!. "

Yes! Mankind is fortunate indeed for having been blessed with the divine shrine of Guruvayoor, and Bhagavan Narayanan in the form of Guruvayoorappan , ever willing to grant the glorious vision of His charming form and shower His blessings on the devotees who throng the shrine , many thanking Him for favours already granted, and some praying for desires to be fulfilled, and some just to offer their humble prostrations . And when this Deity has been presented to the devotees , as decreed by Bhagavan Himself for the benefit of mankind in the Kali-yuga, is not the mankind fortunate ???.

It has been confirmed by great Sages like Sree Adi Sankaracharya , Dattatreya , Vilwamangalam , etc , and numerous saintly devotees that , Sree Krishna lives in a `personal form' in Guruvayoor shrine ; and His un-interrupted presence therein, is a reality . The daily rituals and pujas were formulated by Adi Sankaracharya , as requested by Bhagavan Himself .

 

 

ANCIENT HISTORY

The "Narada Purana" in its chapter "Gurupavanapura Mahatmya" says : " King Janamejaya, in order to avenge the death of his father Pareekshit, (who was killed by Serpent Chief Takshaka ) , performed the "Sarpayajna" (snake sacrifice) in which thousands of innocent serpents were burnt alive . As a result of their curse , Janamejaya was afflicted with terrible leprosy, which left him in utter despair. Sensing this, Sage Dattatreya appeared before him with a remedy – Seek the mercy of Sri Krishna, at Guruvayoor .

The Sage recounted that , Bhagavan Narayana Himself was the first to worship this Deity . At the beginning of the Padma Kalpa, He gave the image to Brahma .

At the beginning of the Varaha Kalpa, the childless couple, Sutepa & Prisna prayed to Brahma for a son. Brahma gave them this Deity , assuring them of their wish if they worshipped the Deity with sincere devotion. This they did with excellence, so much so that the Lord MahaVishnu Himself appeared before them. As a boon, they prayed Him three times, for a son. He blessed them that, He would be born to them as son in three successive births. And, they would also have the good fortune of worshipping the divine Deity in all the three births. Accordingly, in the first birth, Sutepa and Prisna had Prisigarbha as son . In their second birth , as Kasyapa & Aditi , the couple worshipped the same Deity and got their son Vamana. In their third and the most auspicious birth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Sree Krishna was born to them. After killing Kamsa , Sree Krishna moved to Dwaraka where He built a temple, installed this Deity and worshipped it . When the time came for His return to Vaikunta), Bhagavan Krishna entrusted this image to Uddhava, ( when the latter expressed, his fears regarding the fate that would befall mankind in Kaliyuga during Bhagavan's absence) . Krishna assured Udhava that , He would manifest Himself in and infuse His glory into this Deity , in order to shield His devotees from the ill-effects of Kaliyuga and to bless the mankind . He appraised Udhava that, soon after His departure Dwaraka would submerge in the ocean ; as such, he should install the image in an equally holy spot in consultation with Brihaspati (Guru of Gods) .

Accordingly, Guru along with Vayu (Wind-God) set forth to Dwaraka where they found, the image being tossed about in the sea by the surging waves. Vayu carried the image and both started searching for a sacred place for its installation . They were later joined by Sage Parasurama , and they came upon a lake of lotuses ( Rudratheertha) where Lord Siva and Parvathi were waiting to receive them. Siva told them that that spot was etched out for Narayana long ago ; hence He and Parvathi would move to the opposite bank . Guru and Vayu installed the image in the temple built by Viswakarma, the divine architect of Gods. As Guru and Vayu together founded the temple, the place came to be known as Guruvayoorpura which was later shortened to Guruvayoor. Moved by this story, Janamejaya proceeded to Guruvayoor temple where he worshipped Sree Krishna with great faith , for four months. One night while asleep, he felt Bhagavan Krishna's healing touch over his body and his illness (leprosy) was no more! . He returned to his kingdom elated singing praises for Sree Krishna .

MODERN HISTORY

in 1789 AD, the fanatic Tippu Sultan , with the intention of converting Hindus to Muslims, invaded the kingdom of Calicut where Guruvayoor is located . Apprehending the destruction, the image was hidden underground and the Utsava vigraha was shifted to another place . Tippu set fire to the Temple, but it was saved by a celestial voice followed by timely rain. Terribly frightened at this divine intervention, Tippu and his mighty army fled from Guruvayoor . Later Tippu was defeated and killed by the combined army of Calicut and the English .

On November30,1970, an uncontrollable mammoth fire broke out in Guruvayoor temple. It raged all around for five hours, but the Sreekovil ( Sanctum Sanctorium) , flag-staff and all the support - deities remained unaffected. The fire gutted the entire surroundings. The Sreekovil 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 .

PUJAS / RITUALS

The presiding Deity in the Garbhagraha (central shrine) is MahaVishnu, worshipped and served according to the specific puja routines laid down by Adi Sankaracharya . The devotees at large, however, invoke the Bhagavan as UNNIKRISHNA or BALAKRISHNA .

· The NIRMALYA DARSHAN (3 A.M to 3.20 A.M) . This is the first darshan of the day. Bhagavan is still adorned with the flowers and garlands of the previous night . after the night puja (worship), when the doors are closed, the Devas (Gods) come and worship the Deity. A darshan of Bhagavan who has just been worshipped by the Devas themselves is considered highly auspicious. Amidst the lit lamps, the chiming bells and the conch, the spontaneous loud chanting of the devotees "Narayana","Guruvayurappa", "Govinda",etc., your mind will be lifted to the higher levels of devotion.

· The THAILABHISHEKAM,VAKACHARTH & SANKABHISHEKAM (3.20 A.M to 3.30 A.M) . The rite of bathing the Deity with gingerly oil takes place, after removing the adornments of the previous day. Then comes `Vakacharth' i.e. sprinkling the Deity with the `Vaka' powder. The kork of a tree called `vaka' is powdered and used. After this is performed, the `abhishekam' (rite of bathing the Deity), with water sanctified in a `sankhu' (conch).

· ALANKARAM & MALAR NIVEDYAM (3.30 A.M to 4.15 A.M) . After the bath, the Deity is wiped with a thin cloth, then adorned with garlands, ear ornaments, Kasthuri tilaka and a red loincloth . Butter in hand and playing the flute, Bhagavan here appears as Unnikrishna (child Krishna), reminiscent of His playful days at Gokulam. After the `alankaram' (adornment or decoration),the `malar' (puffed rice) `naivedyam', plantain and jaggery are offered to Bhagavan .

· USHA NAIVEDYAM & USHA PUJA (4.15 AM to 4.30 AM) . Offerings of cooked rice and `naipayasam' (rice cooked in jaggery) constitute the `usha naivedyam' (morning offering). The 'Usha Puja' (morning worship) is also conducted at this time.

· ETHIRETTU PUJA (4.30 AM to 6.15 AM) . Now Bhagavan and the Sun are facing each other and puja is performed by offering `vella naivadyam' (white offering i.e. of cooked rice) ; simultaneously, the sub-deities in the temple are attended by associate priests. `Ganapathy homa' is performed in the temple kitchen.

· SIVELI (6.15 AM to 7.00AM) . The Sreekovil (Sanctum sanctorum) opens allowing the devotees to have their darshan . The deity then proceeds for the Siveli (procession). The `utsavavigraha' (processional Deity) is mounted on an elephant and taken round the temple thrice. Bhagavan wants this exercise to be done, so that He himself can ascertain, if all His celestial attendants and devotees in place are keeping well .

· PALABHISHEKAM, NAVABHISHEKAM, PANTIRADINAIVEDYAM & PUJA (7 AM to 9 AM). What follows is a series of `abhishekams', first in the series being `Palabhishekam' or `Kshirabhishekam' (bathing in milk) . Then the `Navabhishekam' is done with, water filled in nine silver pots and sanctified with a course of Pujas. `Pantiradi puja' is done when the shadow measures 12 feet .

· DARSHAN (9AM to 11.30 AM). Time is given to devotees for darshan.

· UCHA PUJA (Noon Puja -11.30 AM to 12.30 PM) . Conducted at around 12 noon, it is the most important and elaborate puja of the day. The `naivedyam' (Offering) consists of cooked rice and `palpayasam' (rice cooked in milk and sugar). Simultaneously, a Brahmin is seated in the temple kitchen and fed well. This custom is mandatory at this ritual.

· THE TEMPLE REMAINS CLOSED FROM 12.30 PM to 4.30 PM . Bhagavan rests during this period.

· SIVELI (4.30 PM to 5 PM) .The second procession of Bhagavan takes place at this time.

· DARSHAN (5 PM to 6.15 PM). The time is given to the devotee for darshan.

· DEEPARADHANA (6.15 PM to 6.45 PM) . All the lamps in the temple are lighted and Bhagavan is worshipped with oil lamps and camphor flames. Conch shells are blown , drums beaten, bells chimed and pipes played . The view of Bhagavan in full glory is visible from a very long distance itself . Bhagavan looks so marvelous amidst the lamps and that even a non-believer will have second thoughts.

· DARSHAN (6.45 PM to 7.30 PM) . Devotees allowed for darshan .

· ATHAZHA PUJA & ATHAZHA NAIVEDYAM (7.30 PM to 8.15PM) . The night worship is `Athazha puja' and the offering made at that time is `athazhanaivedyam' . `Appam' and `Ada' (sweetened rice preparation), betel leaf and areca nut are offered at this time.

· ATHAZHA SIVELI (8.45 PM to 9.00 PM) . The night procession, the third and last procession of the day takes place .

· TRIPUKA & OLAVAYANA (9.PM to 9.15 PM) . Fumigation of the central shrine and temple with nine odoriferous gums in a silver tray is known as `tripuka' . `Ola vayana' is the customary function of reading out day's income and expenditure before Bhagavan.

· The Sreekovil closes at 9.15 p.m.

SAINTLY DEVOTEES

The six famous devotees who received the vision of Bhagavan Krishna in the Guruvayoor shrine are , Melpattur Narayana Bhattathiri, Poonthanam Namboodiri, Vilvamangalam Swamiyar, Kururamma , Prince Manadevan and Kudallur Kunjikkavu Namboodiri .

 

MELPATHUR NARAYANA BHATTATHIRI ( AD 1559-1632 ). He was born in Melpathur Brahmin-house near Tirunavaya . He was affected with paralysis and searched for a remedy. Ezhuthachan, the famous Malayalam poet and Sanskrit scholar told him - "start with fish)" . Bhattathiri took it in the proper sense decided to present the various incarnations of Bhagavan MahaVishnu starting with the fish, as narrated in the Bhagavatham in a series of Dasakas ( Groups of ten slokas) . He reached Guruvayoor temple and started composing one dasaka a day in front of the Deity . The refrain in last sloka of every dasaka is a prayer to Bhagavan to remove the ailments and sufferings. He composed his work in one hundred dasakas on the Kali day. This work is known as NARAYANEEYAM after which he recovered fully and regained happiness.Narayaneeyam is in praise of Lord Narayana (MahaVishnu) on the equation between NARA and NARAYANA. Narayaneeyam is a summary of the Sreemad Bhagavatham and its parayana (reading) confers great benefits; it is an effective faith therapy. It makes one God-conscious , it concerns mainly about our present life - Aarogyam (health and freedom from diseases) and saukhyam (happiness).To Guruvayur also, Narayaneeyam is of utmost importance. No work of thismagnitude has ever been dedicated and addressed to the Deity of any other temple.It offers to the devout devotee an opportunity to visualise and worship MahaVishnu by reading it or listening to its rendition. It will shine and conjure up at Guruvayur in the heart of posterity. The Narayaneeyam Day every year in Guruvayoor temple with great enthusiasm and splendor.2. POONTHANAM NAMBOODIRI (AD 1547-1640) .Poonthanam and Melpathur were contemporaries. Poonthanam was the family name . He married a heiress at 20, but for a long time, they had no children. Poonthanam began to propitiate the Lord of Guruvayoor ; and a son was born to him in 1586. He called for a celebration and everybody known was invited , but the child died an hour before the ceremony. Grief-stricken Poonthanam sought refuge at Guruvayur and started praying with the puranic story of Kumaraharanam . Gradually Poonthanam became enlightened and realized - " While little Krishna isdancing in our hearts, why do we need little ones of our own?" . On several occasions he was blessed with the divine vision of Sree Krishna . Poonthanam spent the rest of his life of 90 odd years reading the Bhagavatham and singing the Lord's glories in simple Malayalam. He composed many devotional hymns in praise of Bhagavan .

3. VILLWAMANGALAM SWAMIYAR (AD 1575-1660) .Villwamangalam is the family name . He was a wandering saint . He was blessed him with the miraculous gift of seeing Bhagavan in person as distinguished from the Deity . He spotted Sree Krishna many times inside Guruvayoor shrine .

4. KURURAMMA (AD 1570-1640) . Kururamma was a childless widow and settled in Guruvayoor as a devotee. Thanks toVilwamangalam's guidance , she adopted Unnikrishna of Guruvayur as her son ; and Bhagavan arrived at her house as a small Brahmin kid. Kuruooramma treated the kid as her own son , fondling him, playing with him, chiding him when he became naughty and weeping at his childish freaks. The devotional song of "Kani kanum neram" was composed by her.

5. MANAVEDAN (AD1595-1658) .Prince Manavedan of Calicut was born in 1595 and had early education inSanskrit. Later he became the disciple of Villwamangalam . With his devotion to Bhagavan and guidance of Villwamangalam, he saw the Bhagavan as Unnikrishna , standing under the Elajhi tree on the way from the Palace to Guruvayoor temple. The present koothambalam is located at this spot . The Prince wrote a series of eight dramas for Krishnanattam. The Krishnanattam began to be staged in the temple regularly as an offering to Guruvayoorappan . Thus the dance-drama, Krishnanattam , became yet another medium to spread the fame of Guruvayoor all over Kerala.

6. KUDALLUR KUNJHIKKAVU NAMBOODIRI ( AD 1839-1903) .Kunjhikkavu was known as Raman in his childhood. He learnt Puranas through hismother's daily parayana (recitation ) of Bhagavatham and Ramayanam and learnt Sanskrit on his own . He formerly began his purana-parayana in his home and slowly become famous as a mystic-devotee . Very often he forgot this real world, he looked at every women he met as a Gopi of Vrindavanam. He started circumambulating and prostrating before animals. He used to take whatever he wanted from Sreekovil. The particular place in Guruvayur temple where he used to sit for purana-parayana is still known as Kunjhikkavu's corner.

HOW TO REACH GURUVAYOOR ?

By Air : Guruvayoor is situated at a distance of 80 km from the Kochi international airport (Nedumbassery) and 100 km from the Calicut (Kozhikode) airport. All major international flight services operate from these airports.

By Rail : The Guruvayoor Railway Station is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. Those coming from the Madras/Thiruvananthapuram side can get down at Thrissur. From Thrissur Railway Station, there are regular bus services to Guruvayoor.

By Road : Guruvayoor is well connected with the other parts of the country by road. Both the KSRTC bus stand and Private Bus stand are about 500metres from the temple .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!!! SreeKrishnaDasa Rajeev.