Guruvayur is located 29 Kms North West to Thrissur Town of Kerala. The ancient Mammiyur Temple is situated at a walk able distance of 200 meters North West to the famous Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Uma Maheswara. The temple is a part of the 108 Famous Shiva Temples in Kerala and one among the five Shiva Temples around Guruvayur, the others being Chowwallur, Perunthatta, Perakam and Parambanthali. They are believed to be the five faces of Shiva. Lord Vishnu is also given equal importance in a sanctum sanctorum near to that of Lord Shiva.
This is the only Temple where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshiped in equal status in pojas, rituals, thanthripooja, Rigveda dhara, murajapa, festival processions and in all respects.
The upadevas are Sree Parvathi, Vigneswara, Subrahmanian, Ayyappa, Brahmmarakshassu, Bhagavathy, Naga and Rakshassu. This is a prominent Temple among the 108 Shivalayas consecrated and regulated by Lord Parasurama, the mythical founder of Kerala.
Temple History
The temples of GURUVAYUR – Sri Krishna Temple and Mammiyur have an inter connected legend. After the pilgrim city of Dwaraka became submerged in the sea, Sri Krishna decided to leave His mortal body at Prabhasa Kshetra in Sourashtra for His heavenly abode. According to tradition, it is believed that Sri Krishna Himself gave this idol which was at Dwaraka, to His foremost disciple and devotee, Uddhava and instructed him to entrust Brihaspathi (the Guru of the Devas) with the task of taking the idol to a suitable location. Uddhava was plunged in grief thinking of the fate that would befall the world in Kaliyuga during his absence. The Lord pacified Uddhava and promised him that he himself would manifest in the idol and shower his blessings on the devotees who take refuge in him. Hence the idols worshiped as Krishna even though it’s Vishnu’s Idol.
Guru and Vayu went around the world in search of an ideal place. At last they entered Kerala through the Palakkad gap where they met Parasurama who was going to Dwaraka in search of the very idol they were bringing. Parasurama led Guru and Vayu to a lush green spot with a beautiful lotus lake (Rudratheertha) where they felt the presence of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva along with Parvathi welcomed them and told them that this would be the ideal spot for installing the deity. Shiva permitted Guru and Vayu to perform the consecration rites and blessed them that henceforth this place would be known as Guruvayur (since the installation was done by Guru and Vayu). Shiva with Parvathi then left to the opposite bank of Rudratheertha to Mammiyur. The site that Lord Shiva chose for himself and his consort Sree Parvathi became Mahimayur, mahima evolving out of the status bestowed on Lord Shiva for voluntarily relinquishing his initial abode to accommodate Lord Krishna. This in course of time got colloquialised as MAMMIYUR.
The devotees who visit Sree GURUVAYUR – Sri Krishna Temple for darshan used to pay pranams to Sree Mammiyurappan by nodding towards North West direction at Bhagavathykettu in Temple. It is considered that any pilgrimage to Guruvayur Temple is complete only after a visit to Mammiyur Temple also.
Sree Guruvayur Temple is also having some ceremonial connections with Sree Mammiyur Temple. Sri Puzhakkara chennas Vasudevan Namboothiripad, The Thanthri of Sree Guruvayur Temple is also the Thanthri of this Temple and almost all the pojas and rituals in this Temple are regulated in tune with the pojas and rituals in Guruvayur Temple.
The walls are decorated with wonderful illustrations and exquisite sculpting depicting the epic sagas and other religious milestones. The temple is adorned with mural paintings with the images of Mohini.
Temple timings:
4.00 am to 12.30 pm and 4.45 pm to 8.30 pm.
4.00 am to 12.30 pm and 4.45 pm to 8.30 pm.
1. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple.
2. The temple pond on the northern side is known as Rudhratheertham. 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 Nalambalam of the temple wearing shirt, banyan, pyjama, lungi, chequered cloths, chapels, etc. There are facilities to keep them outside the temple.
5. Do not take video camera, mobile phone, radio, tape recorder etc. inside the temple.
Mammiyur Devaswom,
P.O Guruvayur - 680 101
Thrissur, Kerala, South India.
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