Guruvayoorambalam Sri Vaikuntam…
We started from our stay in traditional outfit and barefoot, stepping into the East Nada road of the Temple. The clean roads, filled with tiles instead of thar are fully crowded with the people. As we get a closer to the temple, the east Gopura(tower) of the temple with three Kalasha on the top built in Keralite architecture along sides with the other constructions in Keralite style glorifies the Travancore Culture.
The time was around 5:30 PM in the evening, we started to enquire about the Darshan. Unfortunately the mobile phones were not allowed with us, a bit different from the culture of Tamil Nadu. Wandering in search of ‘Q’ line start for darshan, we found it at the South Nada Gate(South entrance of temple) and Q line being intact from around 1/2 an hour. Having no clue at what time it starts moving we joined at the terminus.
“Hello, is there any special Darshan apart from this line?” we enquired an old man behind us
“Yeah, it’s at the North Counter of Temple. It costs ₹1000” he replied.
(Discussing among ourselves)
“It’s affordable, why don’t we go with that?”
“That’s ok, but only cash payment is allowed right? Where to withdraw the cash now?”
“Of course! it’s affordable. But what is the urge for special Darshan? We hardly have other works to do right?”
“Yeah! It might take 2–3 hours? Nothing much work for us than watching Insta Reels.” …
After discussing for a while, we opted to continue in the same line we stood. One hour elapsed with small talks, and line started moving. Again a pause after 5 minutes, moving after a while, and went on for multiple pauses until we entered the Chutambalam(outer enclosure) of temple at around 9:00 PM in night. Meanwhile we came across the famous Melpathur Mandapam, where the classical dances of Bharatanatyam are performed entertaining both the audience and the people waiting in Q line.
In the inner part of temple where we can see the gold plated Dwajasthambham, we just had a short bridge direct into Anapanthal(the second enclosure) of the temple. The roof is covered with Keralite tiles and outer wall of Anapanthal is filled with oil lamps in front side and the other three sides by the typical Indian style sculptures. There we enter into the shrine, hall preceding Garbhagriha(sanctum sanctorum), where we see the deity Guruvayurappan.
After a long wait, the darshan happened and that is when Devaswom(endowment) authorities at the door forcibly push us towards the exit way. Though a bit dismay, that’s fine. In the outer enclosure there are many shrines dedicated to Vinayaka and other deities. The Sanctum Sanctorum has pleasing and pretty sculptures and the main attraction is the windows on the other three sides. This is the Culture of Travancore, they say it is to watch deity in the Pradakshina(Circumambulatory Rotation), but they currently stand closed. There we exit from the Anapanthal from North door after having Pradakshina. We were about to leave the temple.
“Fine! Finally we had our Darshan finished.”
“Wait! Why are these elephants getting decorated? I think some event is gonna happen now.”
“Yeah! I think the deity procession on Elephant is gonna happen now, I think it’s part of Kerala culture, I saw it in other Keralite temples too.”
Yeah!, that is an aesthetic Procession of Krishna on the Elephant covered with Gold plated Caparisons. This is called Seeveli in their culture. A small form of deity is taken for three circumambulations around the temple. It’s pleasing and half of the crowd left the temple premises.
“But why are those three elephants still being prepared? I think, something is still left out”
“Okay, Let’s wait for a while”
That’s when we saw something more magnificent. The small form of deity is then coupled to a well decorated Gold plated Caparison. The deity on the back is accompanied with Couple of Vinajamaras(White Haired fans) and a MahaChatra(Umbrella made of wood and cloth) on the center elephant. This center elephant on either sides is escorted with two more elephants carrying Couple of Vinajamaras and a Chatra(small Umbrella). This Escort took a single circumambulation around the Shrine. It’s so grand representing the Culture and Glory of Kerala and Travancore.
Imagine if in these modern days it is in such way, How could it be in those olden times of Kingdoms. Woah! that’s so gorgeous. It’s almost 10:45 PM in night and we turned back to our stay.
This trip of Guruvayoor pleasured us with many long lasting memories, lot of fun and bliss into the self.
Om Shri Guruvayurappane Appan…
