My first experience at Guruvayoor...

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

I would like to share my experience of my visit to Guruvayoor. I went to Guruvayoor for the first time with my friends in 3rd semester B.Tech. I was in NIT, Calicut, Kerala. Guruvayoor is just 3 hrs journey away from Calicut.

 

We reached Guruvayoor at 2 am on saturday. All were coming for the first time. We asked some people about place of bath and they guided us. We headed straight to pond beside temple. I could see so many people sleeping near the stage put in front of temple (where cultural activities takes place). We took bath in the pond. I wore a mundu by borrowing from a counter. I guess, I bought one - Rs 50 or so.

 

I could see so many people moving here and there, busy at 2.30 am ! Most men, without shirts, clad in white mundu and women mostly in white sarees with some yellow/brown border. I always admired Keralites' cleanliness in terms their dress and appearance. People began to stand in the queue. I stood waiting for the temple to open.

 

Suddenly, they started playing some song - in Sanskrit. It was melodious. I thought it is some suprabhatam sung by MS Subbulaxmi in praise of Guruvayoorappan(Several years later, I understood it was Narayaneeyam) Some temple worker came and started waking up sleeping people on the platform. I was getting eager to enter temple.

 

Finally they opened the temple. I proceeded slowly. I heard many people uttering Guvayoorappa ! Narayana ! Narayana! to themselves. I saw the temple in surprise. It was so old ! Two tusks were above the main door. An elephant's photo. Green light decorating it. Towards left of main door, lots of coconut and a balance. I remembered tulabhara story of Sri Krishan. We had to go round the temple for the queue. Many people becoming emotional shouting Narayana ! Narayana ! The queue was a kind of halt and proceed stuff. Finally when I was near the main entrance for further inside, I saw a big vessel full of red seeds. People putting hands in it and waving. This was all new for me. None of my friends knew what they were doing. Everyone around us seemed familiar with these activities. We felt shy to ask others.

 

Finally we entered further inside. The lord was being bathed. I could hardly see the face. I could just see something black but was not able to see eyes, mouth etc. I desperately tried to get a good glimpse. But a temple worker scolded me and dragged me ahead. I was so dissapointed and angry too.

 

We came to prasadam counter. I took sugar, butter and brown jaggery payasam sweet and a green banana. The payasam was very hot. At first, I thought the plastic bottle would melt. But it didn't. The payasam tastes good when it becomes cold. You can drink even more. Unlike Tirupati, where laddus are limited, we can get unlimited sweet here.

 

Still the fact that I couldn't see God properly was bugging me from inside. I was terribly sad from within. I told my friends, I will stand once again in the queue. They said they would wait for me outside. I had darshan again. But after sufficient long time. I could see Guruvayoorappan - small diety with a big smile. The face was covered with sandalwood. The ears had some golden covering - which was shining.I still remember the face. I thought the statue will be very tall. But it was small. I was satisfied.

 

We visited elephant sanctuary. I wonder how do they feed so many elephants ! A stick would be placed behind the ears of standing elephants. I asked, why ? A mahout told it is instruction for elephant " Chup Chaap Khade Raho " !! We went to beach and played so well. Some of the beach area was very dirty. We also saw a Shiva temple.

 

After that vist, I have gone to Guruvayoor - three more times. Recently one of my friend's marriage took place there. I saw elephant processions in morning . In evening there was a procession of three elephants with men sitting on them. The lamps glowing around the temple. That looks spectacular. One of my good friends is an atheist. I felt, atheists condemn the existence of God. But, here Lord is worshipped so fantastically with majesty - everyday. Atheists come and go. But Lord remains permanent. Guruvayoor bears a testimony for it.

 

If somebody is going to Guruvayoor from Bangalore, kindly intimate me. I would like to go again. But I dont have any company. I would like to go there with somebody who belongs to this group. Here people have so much reverence for Guruvayoorappan and I am simply attracted to the sentiments they have expressed.

 

Jai Sree Krishna. Hari Krishna.

 

Bye.

 

 

 

Girish.M.

B.Tech. ECE.

NITC.

[Guest guest]

Dear Girish,

 

Thank you for sharing your travelogue and darshan of Guruvayur.

 

Your narration is very realistic and true to the core, as many of us

felt the same when we were in Guruvayur for the first time. The temple

guards scolding, the crowd at such early hours, the small

vigraham(idol) of Guruvayoorappan , the semi darkness inside the

Sreekovil (sactum sactoruim) compared to many temples outside Kerala etc.

 

But over a small period time Guruvayoorappan and Guruvayur takes over

your mind and you will start admiring the beauty of the temple and the

pilgrim town. That is the most special effect I felt in Guruvayoor,

that you wanting to go there again and again and see that smiling face

idol of Unnikrishna.

 

Here are some trivia of Guruvayoor to explain your observations -

 

Guruvayoor temple is considered to be 5000 years old but many parts of

the temple are rebuilt after fires in various years. The most recent

fire was in 1970.

 

The known historical records about Guruvayur says the Sreekovil and

Mandapam was renovated in AD-1030. Another early reference of the

temple is the 14th century Tamil literature 'Kokasandesam', mentions

about a place called Kuruvayur.

 

The temple opens at 2.30 and the 'Nirmalyam' (early morning Pooja)

starts at 3 AM with Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam.

 

In this most auspicious time, the Lord is still adorned with flowers

and garlands of the previous day. Then the idol is ritually bathed and

dressed to represent Balagopala or Krishna as a child, the most

popular form for many of us.

 

Guruvayoorappan is represented as Unnikrishna (Krishna as a child)in

the morning and Mahavishnu by evening.

 

Narayaneeyam has sung by P. Leela.

 

The two tusks above the main entrance and the photo is of 'Gajarajan

Guruvayoor Kesavan', the legendary elephant of Guruvayoor with

majestic look, exceptional intelligence and amazing strength.

Guruvayoor Kesavan carried the thidambu - idol of the deity - during

temple processions; carrying the thidambu is an important role in

Kerala temple culture. The elephant died on the very auspicious day of

" Guruvayur Ekadasi " !!! It fasted for the entire day and dropped down

facing the direction of the temple with its trunk raised as a mark of

prostration. There is a life size statue of Kesavan erected by the

devaswom that you can visit if you have not seen it already.

 

As KVG stated in a mail long time ago, waiting for Darshan is an

important aspect of Guruvayur Darshan as we get enough time to fill

our minds with Bhakthi and Krishna thoughts by the time we see the deity.

 

Om Namo Narayanaya:

Sunil.

 

guruvayur , " girish girish m " <vnkh wrote:

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I would like to share my experience of my visit to Guruvayoor. I

went to Guruvayoor for the first time with my friends in 3rd semester

B.Tech. I was in NIT, Calicut, Kerala. Guruvayoor is just 3 hrs

journey away from Calicut.

>

> We reached Guruvayoor at 2 am on saturday. All were coming for the

first time. We asked some people about place of bath and they guided

us. We headed straight to pond beside temple. I could see so many

people sleeping near the stage put in front of temple (where cultural

activities takes place). We took bath in the pond. I wore a mundu by

borrowing from a counter. I guess, I bought one - Rs 50 or so.

>

> I could see so many people moving here and there, busy at 2.30 am !

Most men, without shirts, clad in white mundu and women mostly in

white sarees with some yellow/brown border. I always admired

Keralites' cleanliness in terms their dress and appearance. People

began to stand in the queue. I stood waiting for the temple to open.

>

> Suddenly, they started playing some song - in Sanskrit. It was

melodious. I thought it is some suprabhatam sung by MS Subbulaxmi in

praise of Guruvayoorappan(Several years later, I understood it was

Narayaneeyam) Some temple worker came and started waking up sleeping

people on the platform. I was getting eager to enter temple.

>

> Finally they opened the temple. I proceeded slowly. I heard many

people uttering Guvayoorappa ! Narayana ! Narayana! to themselves. I

saw the temple in surprise. It was so old ! Two tusks were above the

main door. An elephant's photo. Green light decorating it. Towards

left of main door, lots of coconut and a balance. I remembered

tulabhara story of Sri Krishan. We had to go round the temple for the

queue. Many people becoming emotional shouting Narayana ! Narayana !

The queue was a kind of halt and proceed stuff. Finally when I was

near the main entrance for further inside, I saw a big vessel full of

red seeds. People putting hands in it and waving. This was all new

for me. None of my friends knew what they were doing. Everyone around

us seemed familiar with these activities. We felt shy to ask others.

>

> Finally we entered further inside. The lord was being bathed. I

could hardly see the face. I could just see something black but was

not able to see eyes, mouth etc. I desperately tried to get a good

glimpse. But a temple worker scolded me and dragged me ahead. I was so

dissapointed and angry too.

>

> We came to prasadam counter. I took sugar, butter and brown jaggery

payasam sweet and a green banana. The payasam was very hot. At first,

I thought the plastic bottle would melt. But it didn't. The payasam

tastes good when it becomes cold. You can drink even more. Unlike

Tirupati, where laddus are limited, we can get unlimited sweet here.

>

> Still the fact that I couldn't see God properly was bugging me from

inside. I was terribly sad from within. I told my friends, I will

stand once again in the queue. They said they would wait for me

outside. I had darshan again. But after sufficient long time. I could

see Guruvayoorappan - small diety with a big smile. The face was

covered with sandalwood. The ears had some golden covering - which was

shining.I still remember the face. I thought the statue will be very

tall. But it was small. I was satisfied.

>

> We visited elephant sanctuary. I wonder how do they feed so many

elephants ! A stick would be placed behind the ears of standing

elephants. I asked, why ? A mahout told it is instruction for elephant

" Chup Chaap Khade Raho " !! We went to beach and played so well. Some

of the beach area was very dirty. We also saw a Shiva temple.

>

> After that vist, I have gone to Guruvayoor - three more times.

Recently one of my friend's marriage took place there. I saw elephant

processions in morning . In evening there was a procession of three

elephants with men sitting on them. The lamps glowing around the

temple. That looks spectacular. One of my good friends is an atheist.

I felt, atheists condemn the existence of God. But, here Lord is

worshipped so fantastically with majesty - everyday. Atheists come

and go. But Lord remains permanent. Guruvayoor bears a testimony for it.

>

> If somebody is going to Guruvayoor from Bangalore, kindly intimate

me. I would like to go again. But I dont have any company. I would

like to go there with somebody who belongs to this group. Here people

have so much reverence for Guruvayoorappan and I am simply attracted

to the sentiments they have expressed.

>

> Jai Sree Krishna. Hari Krishna.

>

> Bye.

>

>

>

> Girish.M.

> B.Tech. ECE.

> NITC.

>

[Guest guest]

HARI AUM

Hi Girish,

I went through your post with interest. I do appreciate (am sure any

other Guruvayur devotee also will)your innocent curiosities and frank

observations. Keep it up! I would like to transact with you, if you

too like. You can send me direct emails at: nbnair2000.

Hoping to interact with you,

Regards, NBNair.

 

guruvayur , " Sunil Menon " <menon_sunil wrote:

>

> Dear Girish,

>

> Thank you for sharing your travelogue and darshan of Guruvayur.

>

> Your narration is very realistic and true to the core, as many of us

> felt the same when we were in Guruvayur for the first time. The temple

> guards scolding, the crowd at such early hours, the small

> vigraham(idol) of Guruvayoorappan , the semi darkness inside the

> Sreekovil (sactum sactoruim) compared to many temples outside Kerala

etc.

>

> But over a small period time Guruvayoorappan and Guruvayur takes over

> your mind and you will start admiring the beauty of the temple and the

> pilgrim town. That is the most special effect I felt in Guruvayoor,

> that you wanting to go there again and again and see that smiling face

> idol of Unnikrishna.

>

> Here are some trivia of Guruvayoor to explain your observations -

>

> Guruvayoor temple is considered to be 5000 years old but many parts of

> the temple are rebuilt after fires in various years. The most recent

> fire was in 1970.

>

> The known historical records about Guruvayur says the Sreekovil and

> Mandapam was renovated in AD-1030. Another early reference of the

> temple is the 14th century Tamil literature 'Kokasandesam', mentions

> about a place called Kuruvayur.

>

> The temple opens at 2.30 and the 'Nirmalyam' (early morning Pooja)

> starts at 3 AM with Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam.

>

> In this most auspicious time, the Lord is still adorned with flowers

> and garlands of the previous day. Then the idol is ritually bathed and

> dressed to represent Balagopala or Krishna as a child, the most

> popular form for many of us.

>

> Guruvayoorappan is represented as Unnikrishna (Krishna as a child)in

> the morning and Mahavishnu by evening.

>

> Narayaneeyam has sung by P. Leela.

>

> The two tusks above the main entrance and the photo is of 'Gajarajan

> Guruvayoor Kesavan', the legendary elephant of Guruvayoor with

> majestic look, exceptional intelligence and amazing strength.

> Guruvayoor Kesavan carried the thidambu - idol of the deity - during

> temple processions; carrying the thidambu is an important role in

> Kerala temple culture. The elephant died on the very auspicious day of

> " Guruvayur Ekadasi " !!! It fasted for the entire day and dropped down

> facing the direction of the temple with its trunk raised as a mark of

> prostration. There is a life size statue of Kesavan erected by the

> devaswom that you can visit if you have not seen it already.

>

> As KVG stated in a mail long time ago, waiting for Darshan is an

> important aspect of Guruvayur Darshan as we get enough time to fill

> our minds with Bhakthi and Krishna thoughts by the time we see the

deity.

>

> Om Namo Narayanaya:

> Sunil.

>

> guruvayur , " girish girish m " <vnkh@> wrote:

> >

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > I would like to share my experience of my visit to Guruvayoor. I

> went to Guruvayoor for the first time with my friends in 3rd semester

> B.Tech. I was in NIT, Calicut, Kerala. Guruvayoor is just 3 hrs

> journey away from Calicut.

> >

> > We reached Guruvayoor at 2 am on saturday. All were coming for the

> first time. We asked some people about place of bath and they guided

> us. We headed straight to pond beside temple. I could see so many

> people sleeping near the stage put in front of temple (where cultural

> activities takes place). We took bath in the pond. I wore a mundu by

> borrowing from a counter. I guess, I bought one - Rs 50 or so.

> >

> > I could see so many people moving here and there, busy at 2.30 am !

> Most men, without shirts, clad in white mundu and women mostly in

> white sarees with some yellow/brown border. I always admired

> Keralites' cleanliness in terms their dress and appearance. People

> began to stand in the queue. I stood waiting for the temple to open.

> >

> > Suddenly, they started playing some song - in Sanskrit. It was

> melodious. I thought it is some suprabhatam sung by MS Subbulaxmi in

> praise of Guruvayoorappan(Several years later, I understood it was

> Narayaneeyam) Some temple worker came and started waking up sleeping

> people on the platform. I was getting eager to enter temple.

> >

> > Finally they opened the temple. I proceeded slowly. I heard many

> people uttering Guvayoorappa ! Narayana ! Narayana! to themselves. I

> saw the temple in surprise. It was so old ! Two tusks were above the

> main door. An elephant's photo. Green light decorating it. Towards

> left of main door, lots of coconut and a balance. I remembered

> tulabhara story of Sri Krishan. We had to go round the temple for the

> queue. Many people becoming emotional shouting Narayana ! Narayana !

> The queue was a kind of halt and proceed stuff. Finally when I was

> near the main entrance for further inside, I saw a big vessel full of

> red seeds. People putting hands in it and waving. This was all new

> for me. None of my friends knew what they were doing. Everyone around

> us seemed familiar with these activities. We felt shy to ask others.

> >

> > Finally we entered further inside. The lord was being bathed. I

> could hardly see the face. I could just see something black but was

> not able to see eyes, mouth etc. I desperately tried to get a good

> glimpse. But a temple worker scolded me and dragged me ahead. I was so

> dissapointed and angry too.

> >

> > We came to prasadam counter. I took sugar, butter and brown jaggery

> payasam sweet and a green banana. The payasam was very hot. At first,

> I thought the plastic bottle would melt. But it didn't. The payasam

> tastes good when it becomes cold. You can drink even more. Unlike

> Tirupati, where laddus are limited, we can get unlimited sweet here.

> >

> > Still the fact that I couldn't see God properly was bugging me from

> inside. I was terribly sad from within. I told my friends, I will

> stand once again in the queue. They said they would wait for me

> outside. I had darshan again. But after sufficient long time. I could

> see Guruvayoorappan - small diety with a big smile. The face was

> covered with sandalwood. The ears had some golden covering - which was

> shining.I still remember the face. I thought the statue will be very

> tall. But it was small. I was satisfied.

> >

> > We visited elephant sanctuary. I wonder how do they feed so many

> elephants ! A stick would be placed behind the ears of standing

> elephants. I asked, why ? A mahout told it is instruction for elephant

> " Chup Chaap Khade Raho " !! We went to beach and played so well. Some

> of the beach area was very dirty. We also saw a Shiva temple.

> >

> > After that vist, I have gone to Guruvayoor - three more times.

> Recently one of my friend's marriage took place there. I saw elephant

> processions in morning . In evening there was a procession of three

> elephants with men sitting on them. The lamps glowing around the

> temple. That looks spectacular. One of my good friends is an atheist.

> I felt, atheists condemn the existence of God. But, here Lord is

> worshipped so fantastically with majesty - everyday. Atheists come

> and go. But Lord remains permanent. Guruvayoor bears a testimony for it.

> >

> > If somebody is going to Guruvayoor from Bangalore, kindly intimate

> me. I would like to go again. But I dont have any company. I would

> like to go there with somebody who belongs to this group. Here people

> have so much reverence for Guruvayoorappan and I am simply attracted

> to the sentiments they have expressed.

> >

> > Jai Sree Krishna. Hari Krishna.

> >

> > Bye.

> >

> >

> >

> > Girish.M.

> > B.Tech. ECE.

> > NITC.

> >

>