Guruvayoor Festival

GURUVAYOOR FESTIVAL

Guruvayoor ‘Utsave’ is celebrated for tendays form ‘Puyam Nall ‘in the month of ‘Kumbam’.The temple towne decorated in devoites and business the town is very attractive at the time.

Elephant Race

Aanayottam (elephant race) is the greatest atraction in the festival .This has roots in a myth .Formerly Guruvayoor temple was under the Thrikunavaya temple.Once Thrikannamathilakam temple authorities would not sent elephant to the Purveyor Utsav.In remembrance of this event , on the elephant race is conducted the Utsave.Running from Majulal near Eastnada of the temple, elephants enter at the compounded of the temple. The elephant which completes seven rounds and touch the flag post first is selected to bear the ‘Thidampu’.
On the first day evening ‘Acharyavaranam’, ‘Kody pooja’and dune ‘Kodeyattam’ and ‘Kodipurathuvilaku’it is the procession of the Lord on ‘Pazhikka madam’.This ritual is performed twice in the in the morning after’Pantheradypooja’ south side;in the evening after Athazha pooja on the northe of chuttamala people croud in to thise blissful ceremony. ‘Ulsavabali’ on the 8th day of the festival is also very important. ‘Gramapradakshinam’ ‘Pallivetta’ and ‘Arattu’are the major ceremonies of 9th and 10th days ‘Kodeerakkam’ is dane,marking the end of the festeval

Vrishcheka Ekadasi is another famous festival in Guruvayoor temple.

The eldest elephant among the temples herd pays homage to the legendary Guruvayoor Kesavan the most celebrated elephant that belonged to the Guruvayoor temple.Also there will be ‘Champai sagetholsavam’ for 11th days which start from the ‘Akadasi’. 200 artists participate every day in the function.
‘Ashtamirhiny ,Lord Krishna’s Birtheday,is yetanother famous festivalof the temple. Devotes crowded in special poojas and art programs will be there Dinner/sadya in the day.