Guruvayur Thiru Venkatachalapathy temple is located at Thiruvenkidom – Guruvayoor, a kilometer north east of the world famous Sri Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. The shrine is dedicated to Thiruvenkitachalapathy (Balaji or Venkateswara of Tirumala Tirupati temple). Goddess Bhagavathi is also worshipped with equal importance in the temple.
As per local belief a Sannyasi from Tirupati Tirumala came to Guruvayoor temple and he wished to have a shrine dedicated to Venkateswara in Guruvayur. He got permission from Guruvayoorappan (Sri Krishna) to construct a temple in the spot where the current Thiru Venkitachalapathy temple is located.
The annual Makara Chovva festival in the temple is famous for Ganapati homam, Laksharchana, Melam and Nadyakkal Para.
Ganapathy, Goddess Saraswathi, Ayyappan, Nagaraja and Brahmarakshas are the upa devatas. Ramanujaryar, the founder of the temple, has a separate worship area.
The annual festival in the temple begins on Punartham nakshatra in Medam month (April – May). The festival begins with Utsava Kalash Arambham. Utsava Bali is held on the fourth day of the festival. Pallivetta is on the fifth day and the festival concludes on the sixth day with arattu.
The shrine also observes Ramayana Masam – Karkidaka Masam puja, Navratri, Vellari Puja and Pakala pana from Vrischikam 1 to Dhanu 11, Ayyappan Vilakku on the last day of Vrishchikam and Pongala on Mandala Puja days (Dec 26 or Dec 27).
Vishu Kani darshanam is an important event in the temple.
Guruvayur Thiru Venkatachalapathy Temple Timing
Morning Darshan timing is from 4:30 AM to 12:30 PMEvening Darshan timing is from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM