| Temples & Legends Of Kerala |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
THE LORD OF GURUVAYUR |
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| Elaborate
Rites Peculiar to Guruvayur is the elaborate system of rites established by Adi Sankara. The sanctum opens at three in the morning and closes at nine in the night. Except between 1 and 4 P.M. when it is closed, a series of poojas, rites and processions are conducted. The darshan at three in the morning is specially auspicious. It is called nirmalya darshan, the Lord still adorned with the flowers and garlands of the previous day and thousands flock to the temple at this early hour chanting 'Narayana, Narayana. Here is how Kulapati Munshiji described the scene at Guruvayur in one of his letters in Bhavan's Journal: "One could hear nothing but the chanting of the name of the Lord from the innermost recesses of the heart of the devotees. As I went round the prakaras, I could see no idlers and gossipmongers. Groups of persons went round the different minor shrines in a business-like manner. A couple of men were reciting Narayaniyam. At the portico I could see devotees fulfilling their vows with coconuts, plantain etc. On one side, young couples were giving their children the first official food-Annaprasana. At another, several parties were celebrating marriages. Yet at another, many people, young and old, wore lining up for fulfillment of Thulabharam vows. What a faith I". |
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| About Guruvayur | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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