‘Dwarika’ of South India: Guruvayur Temple (Gurupavanapuri) is a famous temple in the town of Guruvayur in Thrissur district of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Guruvayurappan), but his most popular form is known as Krishna. The richest temple in Kerala, Guruvayur Temple is dedicated to Lord Guruvayurappan. Guruvayur is not only famous in Kerala but is one of the major pilgrimage places in the whole of India.
In this temple, Lord Krishna is seated in his Bal Gopal form. There is a very beautiful idol of Lord Krishna in Guruvayur temple. Darshan of Kanha is very captivating. In Guruvayurappan temple, Lord Krishna is worshipped in his Bal form just like Ramlala. It is believed that this temple is more than 5 thousand years old. But it was rebuilt in 1638.
According to mythological beliefs, this temple was built by Vishwakarma himself on the request of Devaguru Brihaspati. The special thing is that entry of people of other religions is prohibited in this temple. No one other than Hindus can enter here.
It is believed that in Guruvayur temple, the donation of any item to the Lord should be equal to one’s own weight, so people donate things equal to their weight. The first idol of the Sun falls on the feet of Lord Guruvayur. It is also called Dwarika of the South.