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Best Places to Visit in Guruvayur

Considered as one of the most ancient temples in India, Guruvayur Temple is one of the most famous tourist places in Guruvayur. The temple holds a special place in the hearts of Hindus as it is dedicated to the worship of one of the most revered forms of Lord Vishnu. Besides its cultural and religious importance, the temple is also famous among tourists for its magnificent traditional architecture.

The holy environs, the sound of bells ringing and the chant of mantras make a visit to this place calming and relaxing. Animal lovers will find themselves right at home too – the temple is home to 56 Asian elephants with whom you can play, bathe and interact in a safe environment.

Location - Guruvayur Devaswom, East Nada, Guruvayur

Timings - All days of the week 3:00 AM - 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Entry fees - no entry fees.

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Just a meagre 3 km from Guruvayur temple, the Elephant Camp Sanctuary is one of the most fun Guruvayur tourist places. A brilliant place to visit both for adults and children, the complex houses over 60 majestic Asian elephants roaming around casually in the lush green surroundings and deep forests of Guruvayur.

If you are wildlife enthusiast, have a great time watching the elephants playing amongst themselves and enjoying their surroundings. Or get up close and participate in the rituals of elephant worship and elephant feeding. Or take your kids along and let them have fun with the animals. The elephants are an essential part of daily temple rituals which are a treat to watch.

Location - Kottapadi Road, Trishul, Iringaprom

Timings - 9 AM to 5 PM every day

Entry fees - INR10

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Over a century old, the Chamundeshwari temple is one of the most spiritual Guruvayur tourist places. Hindu devotees consider the place a holy shrine to calm your senses and find some spiritual guidance. The temple is dedicated to Chamundeshwari Devi, one of the fiercest forms of Maa Durga.

The temple complex is beautifully designed and the statue of the Devi is made of five metals - gold, lead, copper, iron and silver. Every year, thousands of tourists visit the place to get blessings of the Devi, as well as for meditation and achieving serenity and tranquility. The beautiful exteriors of the place are an added bonus.

Location - Inner Ring Road, North Nada, Mammiyoor, Guruvayur

Timings - 5 AM to 8 PM, every day

Entry fees - no entry fees

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Famous among nature lovers and weary travelers looking for a place to relax, the Chavakkad Beach is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Guruvayur. The beach is a famous tourist hotbed for a unique phenomenon – the confluence of river and sea. The tangerine sun setting over the turquoise sea are a surreal site and provide a romantic setting that is to die for.

Take your partner along for an evening stroll and make memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. You can also find a quiet spot on the beach to celebrate picnic with your family.

Location - Thrissur

Timings - 6 AM to 6.30 PM, every day

Entry fees - no entry fee

One of the most magnificent Guruvayur tourist places, the Church at Palayur is unique in both its history and present state. History buffs will find it fascinating that the church was established in 52 CE, that is almost 2 millennia ago. It is now considered that it one of the seven churches constructed by one of Jesus’ apostles.

That’s why, the church holds a special in the hearts of Christian population. But there is another reason to go and visit this majestic building – every year a festival is held for two days that features colourful fireworks, beautiful pageants and moving orchesta performances.

Location - Palayoor Road, Palayoor, Trichur District, Chavakkad

Timings - 7 AM to 6 PM, every day

Entry fees - no entry fee

The locals around Guruvayur believe that the visit to Guruvayur temple is incomplete without also visiting the Mammiyur mahadeva temple. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva along with shrines of Lord Mahavishnu, Ganapathi, Muruga, Darma Sastha, and Brahmmarakshas, Serpent Gods, and Mother Bhagavati Amman.

Besides being a spiritual center, the place is famous for the gorgeous wall paintings and exquisitely crafted sculptures. Visit the Mahadeva temple, one of the most holy tourist places in Guruvayur. Shivratri and Thiruvathira are celebrated with zeal and excitement at the temple and it is the ideal time to visit the place.

Location - Mammiyur Devaswom, Guruvayur

Timings - 4 AM to 12.30 PM and from 4.45 PM to 8 PM.

Entry fees - no entry fee

In the complex of Sree Valsam guest house, there stand the magnificent and towering statues of Mahaprabhu and Guruyaur Kesavan. The place is one of the most popular tourist places in Guruvayaur because of the presence of these statues. The Mahaprabhu statue is a creative representation of Lord Krishna in the form of a giant banyan tree. The interpretation arises from traditional folk stories and tales.

The statue of Guruvayur Kesavan is dedicated to the deceased Elephant King, one of the most celebrated elephants in the Lord’s stables and was crowned Gajaraja several times during its life. The place is thronged by people every year to witness these pieces of art.

Location - Sree Valsam Guest House Complex, South Nada, Guruvayur, Thrissur

Timings - no timing restrictions

Entry fees - no entry fees

Home to one of the most revered forms of Lord Vishnu, that is, Lord Balaji – the Thiru Venkatachalapathy Temple is one of the most serene places to visit in Guruvayur. The temple is just a kilometer away from the famous Sree Krishna temple and you can plan your trip to the two with ease.

You will find calmness and serenity like never before at the complex – not to mention the breathtaking architecture of the place that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The temple bells ringing in the distance paired with the holy atmosphere make for an ideal place to return to religion and God.

Location - Thiruvenkidom,Thiruvenkidom P O, Guruvayur

Timings - All days of the week, 2:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Entry fees – no entry fee

One of the most important places to visit in Guruvayur, the Sree Parthasarathy temple is a delight for religious enthusiasts as well as architecture aficionados. It is dedicated to the charioteer form of Lord Krishana – that is, when he accompanied Arjuna as a companion into the battle of Mahabharata.

That is why, the entire temple is constructed in the form of a chariot, with an array of horses pulling the same. The entire structure is awe inspiring and is decorated with intricate and graceful images that add to the beauty of the place.

Location - Railway Station Road, Kuppaayil, Guruvayur

Timings - All days of the week 4:30 AM - 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Entry fees - no entry fees.

Sprawling over an impressive 11.5 acres, the Punnathur Kotta is one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Guruvayur. The entire complex is surrounded by lush green foliage and offers an eye pleasing environment to the tourists. The place houses over 60 jumbo elephants and it is truly a delight to watch them play with each other, eat and just stroll around casually. Wildlife enthusiasts and ature lovers will have a great time here.

Besides, if you are traveling with family, bring your little ones here and watch them getting awed at the elephants’ activities. The cute baby elephants splashing water at each other are truly fun to watch.

Location - Kottapadi Road, Trishul, Iringaprom, Kerala

Timings - 8.30 AM to 6 PM, every day

Entry fees - INR 10 per person

Located just 3 kms from the most popular temple in Guruvayur, the Sri Krishna temple, the Chowalloor Shiva temple is a gorgeous complex dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Considered as one of the most beautiful tourist places in Guruvayur, the temple is over 1000 years old and is known among locals as one of the 108 abodes of Lord Shiva.

Hence it holds a special place in the hearts of Shiva devotees and followers of the Hindu religion. The temple is a must visit during 12-day festival of Shivratri when the whole complex is full of vibrant colours and the chant of holy mantras.

Location - P O Kandanassery, Guruvayur, Thrissur

Timings - All days of the week, 4:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Entry fees - INR 5 per person

The Parthasarathy Temple has an icon of Lord Krishna in the structure the charioteer of Arjuna, which is likewise called Parthasarathy. As indicated by a legend, this symbol is accepted to have been put in this sanctuary by Adi Shankaracharya.

This sanctuary has another acclaimed holy place that is devoted to Adi Shankaracharya. The gigantic strongholds of the sanctuary are enhanced with different pictures.

Location: Railway Station Road, Kuppaayil, Guruvayur, Kerala 680101

Timings: 4:30 AM - 12:30 PM  & 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Entry fees: No entry fees

One of the most interesting places to visit in Guruvayur is the Devaswom Museum, located inside the Shree Guruvayoorappan Temple complex towards the east gate. The museum is a must visit destination among cultural buffs and religious enthusiasts because of its extensive collection of gorgeous and expensive offerings that have been made to the 5000-year old deity of the temple.

The collection features antiques, musical instruments, mural paintings and other valuable materials. It also includes some unusual items like elephant teeth, rifle and toys.

Location - Near Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur, Thrissur

Timings - All days of the week, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Entry fees - no entry fees

Known as one of the most amazing places to visit in Guruvayur, the Institute of Mural paintings falls under the jurisdiction of Devaswom Museum and is located within the shree Guruvayoorappan Temple complex. The place is famous for the exquisite art of mural paintings and students travel from all over the world to pursue diploma courses in mural paintings, sculptures, aesthetics and art.

The institute follows Gurukula system to ensure an optimum environment for students. Seminars and exhibitions can be attended by art loving tourists to gain an insight into the art of mural paintings.

Location - Chumar Chithra Padana Kendram East Nada, Guruvayur, Thrissur

Timings - 8 AM to 8 PM, every day.

Entry fees - no entry fees.

The sanctuary is in Ariyanoor, a neighbouring town of Guruvayur. This structure is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. The sanctuary is committed to Harikanyaka, a form of Lord Vishnu. This old sanctuary was worked by Perumthachan and brags of a rich history.

Actually, the spot Ariyanoor was viewed as the leader of the 32 deshams. The temple draws various devotees and celebrates a 15-day celebration amid the long stretch of March to April, every year.

Location: Ariyannur, Kerala 680504

Timings: 5:30 AM - 9:30 AM & 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Entry fees: No entry fees.