Guruvayur Temple

Guruvayur Temple in the Thrissur district of Kerala is one of the most important Vaishnava temples in South India, dedicated to Guruvayurappan, a form of Lord Vishnu depicted as a four-armed deity holding the conch, discus, mace, and lotus. The temple is often called the Dwarka of the South and is believed to have been established by Guru (Brihaspati) and Vayu (the wind god), who consecrated the deity here. The temple follows strict traditions of Kerala Tantric worship and entry is restricted to Hindus. The temple elephant procession (Thrissur Pooram contributions aside, Guruvayur maintains its own captive elephant herd at Punnathur Kotta nearby) is one of the defining images of Kerala temple culture. The Guruvayur Ekadasi festival draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. The temple is particularly associated with childless couples who come seeking blessings for children, and the tradition of performing Uthsavabali and Udayasthamana Puja (all-day worship) is maintained here more rigorously than at almost any other temple in Kerala.