History of Guruvayoor temple

The *Narada Purana* in its chapter *Gurupavanapura Mahatmya* states : " King Janamejaya, in order to avenge the death of his father Pareekshit, (who was killed by Serpent Chief Takshaka ) , performed the *Sarpayajna* (snake sacrifice) in which thousands of innocent serpents were burnt alive . As a result of their curse , Janamejaya was afflicted with terrible leprosy, which left him in utter despair. Sensing this, Sage Dattatreya appeared before him with a remedy – Seek the mercy of Bhagavan Krishna, at Guruvayoor temple ”.

The Sage recounted that, Bhagavan Maha Vishu Himself was the first to worship this *Moorty* . At the beginning of the Padma Kalpa, He gave the image to Brahma . At the beginning of the *Varaha Kalpa*, the childless couple, Sutepa & Prisna prayed to Brahma for a son. Brahma gave them this Moorty, assuring them of their wish if they worshipped the Moorty with sincere devotion. This they did with excellence, so much so that the Lord MahaVishnu Himself appeared before them. As a boon, they prayed Him three times, for a son. He blessed them that, He would be born to them as son in three successive births. And,they would also have the good fortune of worshipping the divine Moorty in all the three births.

Accordingly, in the first birth, Sutepa and Prisna had Prisigarbha as son . In their second birth , as Kasyapa & Aditi , the couple worshipped the same Moorty and got their son Vamana. In their third and the most auspicious birth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Sree Krishna was born to them.

After killing Kamsa , Shree Krishna moved to Dwaraka where He built a temple, installed this Moorty and worshipped it . When the time came for His return (to Vaikunta), Bhagavan Krishna entrusted this image to Uddhava, (when the latter expressed, his fears regarding the fate that would befall mankind in *Kaliyuga* during Bhagavan's absence) . Bhagavan assured Udhava that , He would manifest in this Moorty , to shield His devotees from the ill-effects of Kaliyuga and to bless the mankind . He appraised Udhava that, soon after His departure Dwaraka would submerge in the ocean ; as such, he should install the Moorty in an equally sacred spot in consultation with Brihaspati (Guru of Gods) .

Accordingly, Guru along with Vayu (Wind-God) set forth to Dwaraka where they found, the image being tossed about in the sea by the surging waves. Vayu carried the image and both started searching for a sacred place for its installation . They were later joined by Sage Parasurama , and they came upon a lake of lotuses ( Rudratheertha) where Lord Siva and Parvathi were waiting to receive them. Siva told them that that spot was etched out for Narayana long ago ; hence He and Parvathi-devi would move to the opposite bank . Guru and Vayu installed the image in the temple built by Viswakarma, the divine architect of Gods. As Guru and Vayu together founded the temple, the place came to be known as Guruvayoorpura which was later shortened to Guruvayoor.

Moved by this story, Janamejaya proceeded to Guruvayoor temple where he worshipped Sree Krishna with great faith , for four months. One night while asleep, he felt Bhagavan Krishna's healing touch over his body and his illness (leprosy) was no more! . King Janamejaya returned to his kingdom elated singing praises for Bhagavan Krishna .

MODERN HISTORY

in 1789 AD, the muslim tyrant Tippu Sultan , with the intention of converting Hindus to Muslims, invaded the kingdom of Calicut where Guruvayoor is located . Apprehending the destruction, the image was hidden underground and the *Utsava Moorty* was shifted to another place . Tippu set fire to the Temple, but it was saved by a celestial voice followed by timely rain. Terriblyfrightened at this divine intervention, Tippu and his mighty army fled from Guruvayoor . Later, Tippu was defeated and killed by the combined army of Calicut and the English .

On November30,1970, an uncontrollable mammoth fire broke out in Guruvayoor temple. It raged all around for five hours, but the Sri Kovil ( Sanctum Sanctorum) , flag-staff and all the support - deities remained unaffected. The fire gutted the entire surroundings. The *Sri Kovil* was only 3 yards off, but still the fierce fire did not touch even the dry flower garlands, which hung on the corner of the *Sri Kovil* !

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