Guest will be received at Kochi International Airport / or any locations in Kerala and driven to Guruvayur by a Luxuary Coach . The distance between Kochi International Airport and Guruvayur is approximately 80 kilometers, and it takes around 2-3 hours to reach, depending on traffic conditions. Guest will check in a preferred accommodation in Guruvayur to stay overnight.
They will visit the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple revered as one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in the country in the early morning after taking bath in temple pond. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the embodiment of love, compassion, and divine grace in Hindu mythology. Spend some time in the temple premises, offering prayers and seeking blessings from Lord Krishna. Before entering the temple, make sure there may be specific dress codes required for entry. The temple enforces a strict dress code. Men are required to wear mundu (a traditional dhoti) while women should wear sarees or traditional attire. Avoid wearing western attire or shorts. Leave your footwear outside the temple premises before entering. Photography is generally not allowed inside the temple. It's best to leave your mobile phones and cameras in your hotel room or deposit facilities where visitors can securely leave their mobile phones in the temple premises. Be prepared for a security check at the temple entrance. Spend time inside the temple premises, offer your prayers, and partake in the darshan. You can purchase prasad which means offering and other religious items from authorized stalls within the temple complex. It's a common practice to offer prasad to the deity during darshan. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant near Guruvayur Temple, savoring traditional Kerala cuisine.
After the breakfast devotees will travel to the Parthasarathy Temple situated one kilometre away from East Nada. The Parthasarathy Temple has an idol of Lord Krishna in the form of the charioteer of Arjuna, which is also called Parthasarathy. According to a legend, this idol is believed to have been placed in this temple by Adi Shankaracharya. As per the temple history, the Deity was later found in the sacred river Ganga by Sri Shankaracharya under the guidance of Sage Narada and consecrated at the current site. The temple is located in the temple town of Guruvayur.
The temple went into oblivion following the invasion of Tipu Sultan. Later, a roof collapse in 1971 led to the rediscovery of the Deity and the subsequent reinstallation along with the renovation of the temple. The Deity of Lord Parthasarathy here is said to be the same Deity that was worshipped by Queen Kunti, mother of the Pandavas in Indraprastha.
After the Poojas and prayers in Parthasarathi temple, devotees will move to Chowalloor Shiva Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Kerala. Chowalloor Shiva Temple is situated 3 kms away from the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. It is said that this Shiva temple is 1000 years old and considered one of 108 Shivalayas or abodes of Shiva. The legend has it the deity of Thrissur Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple manifested himself on an umbrella carried by one of his devotees from Chowalloor Mazhuvannoor Mana, who used to walk all the way to Thrissur to daily pay homage to the Lord. When he became too old to walk and worship Shiva regularly, the Lord is believed to have accompanied him to Chowalloor. The Swayambhu idol of Lord Siva is seen facing west in the temple, whereas his consort Goddess Parvati is facing east, which reflects the showering blessings in all directions. Explore the temple premises and soak in the spiritual vibes.
Proceed to Ariyannur Harikanyaka Temple, a famous tourist place in Ariyannur, Kerala. It is situated about 5 kilometres from the Guruvayur Temple. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathy, avatar of Goddess Durga. People come here to take blessings from God for their future life. This temple is a place for tourists. It is always decorated and well maintained from inside the temple as well as outside the temple. The outside part of the temple is created by the tree plantation and grasslands. This is a very good place to spend some valuable time here. Some of the people are also seen relaxing here from the tiredness of the journey. This temple is well known for its hut-like structure, remembering the style of Kerala architecture. The wall of the temple of the four sides is placed on the pillars of the wood while the roof is set by the red bricks. It is red and brown in colour and like almost all the tourists. The village of Ariyannur is also famous as a megalithic site with huge umbrella-like stones (Topikal) covering the burial. An archeological site, six umbrella stones stand here in a group.
After the Darsan at the Harykanyaka Temple Guests will be taken to Punnathur Anakotta (Elephant Fort), also known as Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary, is a unique and renowned elephant sanctuary located in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It is approximately 3 kilometres away from Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple. Anakotta is home to a significant number of elephants, often numbering over 60. These elephants are owned by the Guruvayur Temple and are considered sacred. They are used in temple ceremonies and processions. Visitors to Anakotta can observe the elephants from a safe distance as they go about their daily routines. The sanctuary is usually open to visitors from morning till evening. There may be a nominal entry fee for visitors, which helps support the maintenance and care of the elephants. You can witness the elephants being bathed in the nearby pond, fed their meals, and even watch demonstrations of their intelligence and skills by the mahouts. It's a must-visit destination for anyone interested in wildlife, culture, and the natural beauty of Kerala. After spending at Anakotta Guests will have the lunch from a nearby hotel. After the Lunch they will go back to the hotel to take some rest. The day was hectic and started too early. Some sleep and rest is necessary.
In the afternoon, after the rest at the hotel, the guests will be taken to the Institute of Mural Painting, founded by renowned master of mural painting, Shri Mammiyoor Krishnankutty, this institute is situated at the eastern gate of the Guruvayur temple. The place also offers a five year diploma in Kerala style mural painting, aesthetics, sculpture and art, taught in the traditional Gurukula system. Learn about the history and techniques of mural painting.
After the brief visit to the institute devotees will proceed to Mammiyoor Sri Mahadeva Temple, a popular Shiva temple situated in Guruvayoor, Thrissur district of Kerala, India. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple premises. in the serene ambiance and architectural beauty of the temple.
After attending Poojas at Mahadeva temple guests will be taken to Chettuva BackWaters, known for its placid and scenic backwaters. With its rich mangrove vegetation, Chinese fishing nets, estuary, fort, migratory birds and islets, the destination is known for the tranquillity it offers. The biggest mangrove forest in Kerala is situated in the middle of the Chettuva backwaters. Going boating here is the best way to relax and rejuvenate from the hectic schedules of life. You can opt for a boat ride or simply relax by the water, enjoying the serene ambiance. Spend some time exploring the natural beauty of Chettuva BackWaters. You can also engage in birdwatching or simply unwind amidst nature. In the evening, Wrap up your tour by enjoying the mesmerising sunset over the backwaters. Tour Ends and Guests will be driven back to the Pickup point.