29 kms west of Thrissur, Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna Temple. This historic temple is shrouded in mystery. According to belief, the temple is the creation of guru, thepreceptor of the goods, and vayu, the god of winds. The eastern nada is the main entrance to the shrine. In the chuttambalam (outer enclosure) is the tall 33.5 m high gold plated wajasthambam (flag post).
There is also a 7 m high dipastambham (pillar of lamps), whose thirteen circular receptacles provide a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. The square sreekovil is the sacred sanctum Sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity. Within the temple, there are also the images of Ganapathy, Sree Ayyappa and Edathedathy Kavil Bhagavathy. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple.
THE DAILY POOJAS IN THE TEMPLE
| TIME | POOJA |
| 3.00am to 3.30am | Nirmalyam |
| 3.20am to 3.30am | Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam |
| 3.30am to 4.15am | Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram |
| 4.15am to 4.30am | Usha Nivedyam |
| 4.30am to 6.15am | Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja |
| 7.15am to 9.00am | Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja |
| 11.30am to 12.30pm | Ucha pooja (the noon pooja) |
| TEMPLE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 12.30 AND 4.30PM AND REOPENS AT 4.30 PM | |
| 4.30pm to 5.00pm | Seeveli |
| 6.00pm to 6.45pm | Deeparadhana |
| 7.30pm to 7.45pm | Athazha pooja Nivedyam |
| 7.45pm to 8.15pm | Athazha pooja |
| 8.45pm to 9.00pm | Athazha seeveli |
| 9.00pm to 9.15pm | Thrippuka, Olavayana |
| 9.15pm | The Sreekovil remains closed. On the day of Special illuminations called “Vilakku” The Thripuka is performed after that. The Sreekovil will be closed after Thripuka. Then the Krishnanattam, a colourful traditional dance-drama on Lord Krishna’s life is enacted inside the Temple on specified days. |
| **The timings given are approximate. It may vary if there is Udayasthamana pooja or on certain special occasions. | |
