Guruvayur Tourism (2024) - Kerala > Top Places, Travel Guide

Q: What is the best time to visit Guruvayur?

The temple can be visited any time of the year. Autumn and Winters (October-February) are the best seasons to enjoy a trip to Guruvayoor. It might be a good idea to visit Guruvayoor during the annual Guruvayoor festival which typically happens in the month of February-March. But, if you want to avoid the crowd, avoid visiting when the schools in Kerala are closed for a vacation. The months of April and May, when the schools are closed for summer vacation and September when the schools are closed for the festival Onam, are the times when a large number of people visit Guruvayoor. Summers (March to May) are quite hot and dry and it might be a little difficult to roam around. Monsoons are pleasant, however, frequent rains might hamper your travel plans.Read More

Guruvayur Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: October to February Read More

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"The Dwarka of the South"

Guruvayur Tourism

Guruvayur, situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, is a revered pilgrimage destination renowned for its historic Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. Located approximately 29 kilometers from Thrissur city, this sacred town holds immense significance for Hindu devotees, particularly those worshipping Lord Krishna. The Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple stands as a majestic testament to devotion, boasting intricate architecture, elaborate carvings, and vibrant festivals that attract spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts from far and wide.

Adjacent to the temple lies the Guruvayur Devaswom elephant sanctuary, also known as Punnathurkotta, one of the world's largest elephant sanitariums. Visitors can witness these gentle giants up close and learn about efforts to conserve and care for them. Additionally, Chavakkad Beach, just five kilometers away, offers a serene retreat where one can unwind amidst tranquil surroundings or observe local fishermen displaying their daily catch.

The annual Guruvayur Festival, held during February-March, is a vibrant celebration showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. Commencing with an exhilarating elephant race, the festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in the divine aura of Guruvayur and experience Southern India's religious and cultural essence. Beyond its spiritual allure, Guruvayur's lush greenery, coconut groves, and serene backwaters offer a picturesque backdrop for exploring Kerala's cultural treasures and indulging in authentic cuisine and Ayurvedic therapies.

Guruvayur's appeal extends beyond its religious significance, offering travelers opportunities for cultural exploration, culinary delights, and retail therapy. From traditional dance performances and music concerts to delectable Kerala dishes and bustling markets selling handicrafts and souvenirs, Guruvayur provides a wholesome experience that caters to diverse interests and ages. Whether seeking divine blessings, cultural immersion, or simply a peaceful retreat amidst nature's beauty, Guruvayur promises an unforgettable journey for every traveler.

Must Know Before You Travel to Guruvayur

Pre-Booking: Pre-booking is essential for darshan (worship) at the Guruvayur Temple, especially during peak seasons and festivals.
Temple Closure: The temple is closed during certain rituals and festivals. Check the temple's schedule before planning your visit.
Entry Restrictions: The Guruvayur Temple restricts entry for non-Hindus. Dress modestly and respect temple customs.
Weather Impact: The temple town experiences hot and humid weather, with monsoon rains from June to September. Plan your visit accordingly.
Scam Awareness: Beware of unauthorized agents offering temple-related services. Use official channels for bookings and offerings.
Festivals: The temple town comes alive during festivals like Ekadasi and Vishu. Plan your visit accordingly for a cultural experience

Places To Visit In Guruvayur

Guruvayur Temple

Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace

Mammiyoor Shiva Temple

Parthasarathy Temple

Devaswom Museum

Institute of Mural Painting

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Guruvayur Travel Packages

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10 Days / 9 Nights

Wonderful Kerala Group Tour Package

Calicut(0N) → Wayanad(2N) → Guruvayur(1N) → Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Alleppey(1N) → Trivandrum(2N)

$ 601

17% off

$493/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Kerala Budget Holy Tour: Thrissur, Guruvayur, K...

Thrissur(1N) → Guruvayur(1N) → Kochi(1N) → Trivandrum(1N)

$191/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Kerala Sacred Package: Thrissurr, Guruvayur, Al...

Thrissur(1N) → Guruvayur(1N) → Kochi(1N) → Alleppey(1N) → Trivandrum (2N)

$ 351

9% off

$317/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Mesmeric Kochi, Munnar & Guruvayur

Kochi(1N) → Munnar(2N) → Guruvayur(1N)

$226/person

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History of Guruvayur

The historic town of Guruvayur is known for enthralling allure, rich religious culture and 5,000 years old legendary temple of Guruvayur idol. According to local legends, Lord Krishna requested sages to remove his idol from the temple in Dwarka as the city was on the verge of destruction and establish it in Kerala. Two sages named Vayu Deva and Guru Brihaspati were the ones who were responsible for this act, and the merger of their titles resulted in the present day name of this place ‘Guru’ Brihaspati and ‘Vayu’ Deva. In the scripts of Dravic language and Tamil literature, mentions of ‘Karuvayur’ were found. As Brahmins started building settlements in Kodungallur, the place got famed for its ancient relics and the temple which is the major attraction for tourists and travellers nowadays.

Chembai Sangeetholsavam

Every year over 3,000 musicians come together in the temple town for the annual Chembai Sangeetholsavam which is a Carnatic musical fest organized by Guruvayur Devaswom. The entire festival is dedicated to Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar who was an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan and a Carnatic musician himself. The celebrations continue for 12 to 15 days which culminates to the Guruvayur Ekadasi day when all the singers perform top five songs of Chembai to commemorate the occasion.

The Guruvayur Temple

Guruvayoor temple and its grounds are one of a kind. There are two entrances called Nadas, the East Nada and the West Nada. Each Nada leads to the temple. The walk from the entrance to the temple is lined with shops that sell all the things that characterise Kerala. You'll be able to find the Kerala saree, the famous brass lamps, kathakali show pieces etc. in these shops. The turmeric and papad sold in these shops are also of good quality. The temple ground also has a stage facing the temple where musical and dance performances are held. It is a considered a matter of high fortune and honour to be able to perform there. Prominent artists of Kerala like Yesudas and Manju Warrier have performed here.

The queue to enter the temple starts outside the temple itself. On the least crowded day, it'll take you an hour to reach in front of the deity. There are times, very rare though when you can enter and exit in half an hour. But those chances come by luck. Guruvayoor temple is very strict about maintaining the sanctity of the temple and there are few rules to be followed. There's a checking done at the main entrance and if you're breaking any of the rules, you'll be asked to leave the queue, rectify the mistake and join at the end of the queue again. There are different kinds of poojas and archanas done from dawn to dusk. They keep changing the clothes of the deity from morning till evening to depict Lord Krishna growing in age as the day progresses. So, in the morning you'll see the deity in the form Bal Krishna and in the evening, the deity will be dressed as a King.

Restaurants and Local Food in Guruvayur

Local cuisine is Guruvayur is purely vegetarian. Most restaurants serve good Ghee roast dosa along with the other popular vegetarian aspects of Keralan cuisine. Non-vegetarian food stall or bar, although not banned but are rare and might be difficult to find.
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Suggested Itinerary for Guruvayur

Day 1: Reach Guruvayur by noon. Have delicious vegetarian Kerala sadhya. Take some rest. Set out for the temple at around 4 p.m. Your darshan will be complete by 6 p.m. You can watch the musical or dance performances being conducted in front of the temple for a little while. After the sunset, you can see the whole temple lit by oil lamps. You can also indulge in shopping for original Kerala silk sarees and other famous artefacts of Kerala from the shops around the temple. After that, you can have an early dinner and retire to your hotel room.
Day 2: Wake up early by 4 a.m. and go to the temple to get a glimpse of the Bal Krishna form of the deity. Have delicious south-Indian breakfast at any of the restaurants near the temple. Then you can set out to visit the Anakotta - The Guruvayur Elephant Sanctuary to watch 60-80 elephants living together in a 10-acre land and going about their lives. After that, you can have lunch and depart from Guruvayor having had a beautiful spiritual experience.

Best Time to Visit Guruvayur

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How to Reach Guruvayur

How to Reach Overview

Gurvayoor town has its own railway station with few inter-city passenger and one inter state train. The Gurvayur Railway Station is just 1 km away from the temple. Alternately, one can take up a train till Thrissur and then take a taxi to Gurvayoor.

How to reach Guruvayur by flight

The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport which is 80 km away. From Kochi, local trains, buses and taxis are easily available to reach Guruvayur.

How to reach Guruvayur by road

Guruvayur is well connected by road from nearby areas and taxis are the most comfortable way to reach here. Buses are the next best option. Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) runs bus services from all major locations of the state and few inter-state services. The bus stand is just 500 meters to the west of the temple. You can avail a bus easily from most of the major towns in Kerala and nearby states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. There are both private buses and state-run buses available on these routes.

How to reach Guruvayur by train

Guruvayur has got a railway station towards the east of the temple which is connected to the Madras-Mangalore main line at Thrissur. There are local trains running from nearby cities like Kochi, etc.

Local transport in Guruvayur

Most of the places are at a walkable distance. Taxis and Autos are also easily available. However, it is advisable for visitors to fix the tarrifs before hopping onto one.

Most frequently searched routes to Guruvayur

Route Name	Distance	Time	More Information
Alleppey to Guruvayur	138 km	3 hours 25 mins	View Details
Mysore to Guruvayur	252 km	6 hours 21 mins	View Details
Chennai to Guruvayur	646 km	10 hours 26 mins	View Details
Bangalore to Guruvayur	501 km	8 hours 29 mins	View Details

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FAQs on Guruvayur

What are the places near Guruvayur?

The top places near to Guruvayur are Munnar which is 125 km from Guruvayur, Ooty which is located 115 km from Guruvayur, Kochi which is located 74 km from Guruvayur, Thrissur which is located 20 km from Guruvayur, Alleppey which is located 135 km from Guruvayur

What are the things to do in Guruvayur?

The top things to do in Guruvayur are Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace, Mammiyoor Shiva Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Parthasarthy Temple, Institute of Mural Painting, Statues of Maraprabhu and Guruyaur Kesavan. You can see all the places to visit in Guruvayur here

What is the best way to reach Guruvayur?

What is the local food in Guruvayur?

What is the best time to visit Guruvayur?

The temple can be visited any time of the year. Autumn and Winters (October-February) are the best seasons to enjoy a trip to Guruvayoor. It might be a good idea to visit Guruvayoor during the annual Guruvayoor festival which typically happens in the month of February-March. But, if you want to avoid the crowd, avoid visiting when the schools in Kerala are closed for a vacation. The months of April and May, when the schools are closed for summer vacation and September when the schools are closed for the festival Onam, are the times when a large number of people visit Guruvayoor. Summers (March to May) are quite hot and dry and it might be a little difficult to roam around. Monsoons are pleasant, however, frequent rains might hamper your travel plans.
Read More

Who should visit Guruvayur?

Guruvayur is a place for those who are devoted to the Hindu religion or want to visit one of the most popular temples of Kerala.

What is not so good about Guruvayur?

Long queues throughout the year. Not much to see other than the temple.

What is famous about Guruvayur?

Guruvayur is a known for being one of the most famous pilgrimage sites amongst Hindus. It ranks fourth in India in terms of the number of people who visit the temple every year.

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Guruvayur Reviews

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Devyani Chandra

6 years ago

- All needy devotees visiting the temple are offered free meals twice a day. A popular destination for weddings, sometimes more than 300 weddings take place on a day. It is also famous for Choroonu ( (Read More)first time meals to child).

Rohith Cs

on Punnathurkotta Elephant Palace 6 years ago

There are 48 elephants when i visited there. They gives us a wonderful experience for me as i am an elephant fan. Must visited place. Ticket charge is only Rs. 10/-

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Guruvayur

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Guruvayur Travel Essentials

"The Dwarka of the South"

Guruvayur Tourism

Must Know Before You Travel to Guruvayur

Places To Visit In Guruvayur

Guruvayur Travel Packages

Wonderful Kerala Group Tour Package

Kerala Budget Holy Tour: Thrissur, Guruvayur, K...

Kerala Sacred Package: Thrissurr, Guruvayur, Al...

Mesmeric Kochi, Munnar & Guruvayur

Top Hotels In Guruvayur

Explore Related Destinations

More on Guruvayur Travel

History of Guruvayur

Chembai Sangeetholsavam

The Guruvayur Temple

Restaurants and Local Food in Guruvayur

Suggested Itinerary for Guruvayur

Best Time to Visit Guruvayur

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How to Reach Guruvayur

How to Reach Overview

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What is the best time to visit Guruvayur?

Who should visit Guruvayur?

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