Guruvayur- most important pilgrimage centres of South India
Guruvayur is a small town in the district of Thrissur in the
state of Kerala. It is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage
centres of South India. Guruvayur is popular for many Hindu temples that play a
very important role in defining the cultural history of the place. Guruvayur
was named after Guru Brihaspati who is considered as the teacher of gods.
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| Elephant Race, Guruvayoor |
Guruvayur has extreme weather conditions with dry climate
most of the year. The climate of Guruvayur is extremely hot during summers and
cold in winters. The summer season is from the month of March to May with
average maximum temperature of 37° Celsius. From June to September Guruvayur
receives heavy rainfall whereas winters are here from December to February with
an average temperature ranging from 23° Celsius to 30° Celsius.
In terms of weather, the best time to visit Guruvayur is in
the winter season but the destination also attracts a lot of tourists on
festive occasions. The months from August to November have moderate climate and
offer many celebrations throughout. ‘Ekadasi’ is a special day followed every
month when pilgrims in large numbers come to the temples here.
Things to do in Guruvayur
One of the major attractions of the region is the annual
Guruvayur Festival or Guruvayur Utsavam which is held during February-March.
This year the festival starts on 7th March, 2012. It kicks off with the Elephant
Race or Anayottam. The race starts half a kilometer away from the eastern
entrance under a banyan tree. The elephants take seven rounds inside the temple
and finally touch the flagpole. The elephant to touch the flagpole first is
hailed as the winner and gets the honour of carrying the idol of Lord
Guruvayurappan on all special occasions for a year.
The 10-day festival also showcases the tradition, culture
and heritage of Kerala. Traditional music and dance as well as plays and dance
dramas based on the life of Lord Krishna are performed during this time.
Not really a shopper’s hub, Guruvayur offers range of dress
materials, antiques and eatables from the avenue shops on the street.
Photographs, mural paintings & embroidered handicrafts are the other things
that can be shopped in Guruvayur. Traditional Kerala saris & jewelleries
are also available here.
Travelling to Guruvayur
Guruvayur has the nearest airport at Kochi, Nedumbassery
International Airport, which is at a distance of 65 km. Kochi airport is well
connected to all major airports in India with major airlines plying regularly.
It is also connected to many foreign cities. Taxi services can also be availed
from here.
The major railhead nearest to Guruvayur is at Thrissur,
which is located at a distance of about 27 km. State owned bus services are
also available from almost all the cities in Kerala to Guruvayur. Category of
buses like super deluxe buses connects Guruvayur with cities like Kochi,
Kozhikode, Trivandrum, Palaghat, Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore and Bangalore.
Accommodation options in Guruvayur
Accommodation options in Guruvayur range from budget hotels
to deluxe hotels. Tourists can avail stay according to their budget.
