Sensing the motive of Prechethas, Lord Siva emerged out of the Rudratheertham and revealed to them the "Rudrageetham", a hymn in praise of Mahavishnu. Siva suggested them to chant it with all their heart to get their wishes fulfilled. The Princes won the favour of Mahavishnu after rigorous tapas for 10,000 years under the waters of Rudratheertham chanting Rudrageetham. According to the legends, in ancient days Rudratheertham ( present Arattukulam) extended up to Mammiyur and Thamarayur (about 3.00 kms) and was known for its lotus flowers. Melpathur's Narayaneeyam refers to it as the lovely lake of lotus.

The temple is the fourth biggest(number of devotees per day) temple in India after Badari, Puri and Thirupathi. The deity Guruvayoorappan is Lord Maha Vishnu with four arms, even though the devotees worship him as Lord Krishna, the complete man incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. The glory and greatness of this temple is special – having a powerful deity, a charming and very sacred idol installed, high degree of divinity of the place itself, the very rare combination of Shiv-Parvathi temple nearby etc

Temple opens at 3.00 am daily in the morning and closes at 9.30 p.m. In the mid day it will remain closed during 12.30 to 4.30. There will be some variations in timings in special pooja (adoration) days - Udayasthamaya Pooja, the pooja from dawn to dusk. It is a belief that the darshan of Lord Guruvayoorappan at various times gives various results and immense pleasure to devotees according to their will and wish. The Lord is so generous that He will bestow blessings on devotees in material and spiritual form according to the wish of the devotee. Those who wish mortal material wealth can get their share from the Lord. The seekers of spiritual wealth will also get it abundantly according to their devotion. The darshan at 3.00 a.m. in the morning is called "Nirmalyam", by which Lord can be seen with decorations of previous night and this darshan is believed to be a wonderful and marvellous experience.It is also believed that by this darshan itself ones all sins will be wiped of

Temple Festivals Guruvayoor Ekadasi in the month of Vrichikam (December-January) -It is believed on this day the idol was installed. It is also on this day Lord Krishna preached the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, to Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra at Mahabharatha Yudha (Mahabharatha War).

Arattu (Bathing of the Lord) Annual festival of the temple followed by the bathing of the idol at the Temple Pond (Rudra Theertha).(February March)

Mandala Pooja (Mandalam is a 41 days long season of devotion in Kerala associated with "Sastha" the son of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Siva) Vrischikam-(November-December)

Vishu (Malayalam New Year Day) April

Vaisakham (A special divine season of devotion)April-May

THE TEMPLE CUSTOMS

1. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple.
2. The temple pond on the northern side is known as Rudratheertham. Devotees can purify themselves by taking bath here and can enter the temple preferably with wet clothes.
3. Follow the temple rules and regulations, so that all can comfortably worship the Lord.
4. Do not enter the temple wearing shirt, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered clothes, chapels etc. There are facilities to keep them outside the temple.
5. Co-operate with the Temple officials, who are always ready to guide and help the devotees.
6. Do not take video camera, mobile phone, radio, tape recorder etc. inside the temple wall
7. Do not take, camera inside the Nalambalam
8. Do not touch on the big altar stone (Balikkallu) by foot
9. Immediately after marriage , the couples should not enter the Nalambalam.
10. Do not spit in the temple premises
11. Do not retain babies and children for a long time within the Nalambalam.
12. The receipt for the remittance for offerings (Vazhipad) can be obtained from the booking counters on the ground floor of the oottupura. Be careful not to get deceived by fraud agents for such bookings.
13. Receipts obtained for the feeding of the poor etc. should be put inside the box for the purpose in front of the booking counter.
14. Such items as miniature human figures, replicas of hands, legs, eyes, abnormal body eruptions etc. made of gold and silver can be obtained from the temple official, who are available near the Kodimaram (Flag-staff). Keep these on the platform of the Kodimaram and offer prayers. Put the amount you wish to offer in the Bandaram (Hundi). Do not buy these items from outside, which are fakes.
15. Udayasthamana Pooja, Vilakku, Bhagavathy Chuttuvilakku, Namaskaram, Krishnanattam and offerings of the like , have to be booked in advance.
16. Ornaments and such other costly offerings can be put in the Bhandaram.
17. Enter the temple with an absolute sense of devotion.
18. Take special care of your valuables.
19. Offerings and the relevant letters should be sent to the Administrator, Guruvayoor Devaswom Guruvayur - 680101, Kerala. Complete information about offerings and full address of the person making the offerings in bold capital letters should be given on the money order coupon or covering letter of DD. If these are not given, the amount sent will be put in to the Bhandaram.
20. Bank drafts or Money orders should be sent well in advance to make the offerings on the desired date.

An endowment can be made by depositing an amount, and the desired offerings can be made with the acquired interest.

ITINERARY : COCHIN - GURUVAYOOR – COCHIN

Day 01 : Arrive Cochin

Garlanding on arrival , meeting and assistance and transfer to hotel . Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Cochin – Guruvayoor

Morning depart by surface to Guruvayoor . On arrival check-in at hotel . Overnight at hotel .

 Day 03 & Day 04 : In Guruvayoor

Full day at leisure to perform prayers . Overnight at hotel .

Day 05 : Guruvayoor – Cochin

Morning depart by surface to Cochin . On arrival check-in at hotel . Overnight at hotel .

Day 06 : In Cochin

Morning city tour . Afternoon at leisure . Overnight at hotel .

Day 07 : Depart Mumbai

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

End of The Tour

• Meeting and assistance by our representative on arrival and Departures.
• All Transfers , Sightseeing and Overland drives as per the itinerary by non air conditioned Transportation ( Car / Coach )
• Services of local English speaking guide during sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Hotel accommodation on Twin / Triple sharing on bed and breakfast basis with attached bath for a total no. of nights as mentioned in the programme, inclusive of service charges and presently applicable taxes.
• Free surprise gift.
• One bottle of mineral water daily on Complimentary basis .

          Check-in/ out time at all the hotels is 12 noon.