Did you know this temple connects Banaras/ Kashi in UP, Dwarka in Gujarat and Guruvayoor in Kerala?
Article by Levina
Today is GURUVAYOOR EKADASHI— Vrishikam Shukla Paksha Ekadashi. Shukla Paksha means waxing moon and Ekadashi is numbering system in Sanskrit which means 11 days after new moon.
Preparation for this Ekadashi starts a month before the Ekadashi. Main highlight being a lamp/ diya/ vellaku lit continuously for 30 days. On this day rice is avoided.
So why is Ekadashi important? Apparently, this is the day when moon’s impact is felt most. Since it is believed that moon controls out emotions, fasting on Ekadashi is considered a good way of detoxifying mind and body.
Like we read Ramayan during Ramayana maasam, a month dedicated to Shri Ram during monsoons, similarly this day is dedicated to reading Gita.
Read more about Ramayana Maasam dedicated to Shri Ram here.
Not many might know about this 5000 years old temple, or at the least 5000 years old, in Kerala which was mentioned by Modi ji during inauguration of renovated Kashi Vishwanath temple yesterday. Guruvayoor temple is the 5th largest temple in India vis a vis the number of devotees who visit the temple every year). The main deity or the Vigraham at Guruvayoor belongs to Unni Krishnan or the infant form of Bhagwan Krishna.
It’s said vigraham of the deity was gifted by Brahma to Krishna, who later instructed to Deva—Brihaspati (also called the Guru), and Vayu to install the vigraham in Kerala. Ostensibly this is why the temple is called Guru-Vayur ( Guruvayoor).
These are some ancient stories which prove northern and southern divide never existed in ancient India, and that it was manufactured much later to keep Indians divided. But wont deviate from the topic at hand.
Guruvayoor is a Maha-Vishnu temple, which is also called Dakshina Dwarka. It is believed Guruvayoor temple links 3 oldest places across Indian subcontinent.
1.Banaras, UP– PM’s constituency, also the oldest inhabited city in the world, which under unfortunate circumstances had to be attacked by Krishna. Its after this attack that Krishna created Dwarka.
2. Dwarka, Gujarat– Home to the original Vigraham or idol of Guruvayoorappan.
3. City of Guruvayoor itself which has a 5000 years old history.
This temple is visited by many foreign delegates. In this picture present PM of India, Modi ji can be seen doing Thulabharam.
Thulabharam means donating something equivalent of your weight to the temple, in this case it is Lotus flowers. Richer businessmen are seen doing the same offering in Gold.
If you observe carefully, you will see that no one’s wearing a shirt, this so because only traditional attire is allowed inside the temples in Kerala.
A report says “ In recorded history, Guruvayoor was twice attacked and partly burnt by the Dutch in the 18th century and raided by both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It was the British, after routing Tipu, who reportedly helped the local Zamorins (kings) re-possess the temple and have it rededicated to worship by the local Brahmins (Namboodris). In modern times, the temple made history in 1936 when Travancore Maharaja, Sree Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma, li fted the traditional ban on ‘untouchables’ entering the temple by his famous edict, the Temple Entry Proclamation.”
They say the vigraham was brought to Kerala just before Dwarka submerged under water. This temple is also known for it’s elephants. Now Punnathurkotta which was once the palace of a local ruler is now used to house the elephants belonging to the Guruvayoor temple
Hoping that you too will visit Guruvayoor temple when you are in Kerala next time.
Namaste
Read more stories from Ancient India:
Swastika & 2000 Years of Decaying That Hinduism Faced Are Connected
Nose-job, the ancient Indian way
Ancient Rainwater Harvesting System of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Why are Jyotirlinga temples in India positioned as per Fibonacci series?
Read many other such articles on here>> ANCIENT WISDOM
