Guruvayur is just off the coastal Highway No. 17 and 29 km from Thrissur. Thrissur, also called Trichur, is on the western end of the Palakkad gap through the low pass between the Nilgiri and the Palani Hills. Thrissur is an abbreviation of "Tiru-Shiva-Perur" meaning "the town with Lord Shiva's name".
Guruvayur is Kerala's most renowned Krishna Temple, a place of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees from all over India. They flock here for Krishna's anugraham or blessing, for peace and prosperity. The annual utsavam or festival at Guruvayur is held with all the pomp and pageantry associated with Kerala religious celebrations with elephants, panchavadyam, processions. There is also the 'aana ottam' or elephant race - a hot favourite among spectators. According to a legend, relating the origin of temple, it is the creation of Guru, the teacher of the Devas (Gods) and Vayu, the lord of the winds.
Other temples in Guruvayur include
- Mammiyur's Shiva temple(said to be older than the main temple)
- Parthasarathi Krishna temple
- Tamarayur Vishnu temple.
Tourist Information is available at :
- Govt. of India Tourist Office, Airport Counter, Thiruvananthapuram. Tel:- (0471)-501498
- Department of Tourism, Govt.of Kerala, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram. Tel :- 61132
- Tourist Information Centre, Airport, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Tel :- 451085 (National) & 452298 (International)
- Central Bus Station, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram. Tel :- 67224
- Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) (Central Reservation), Mascot Square, Thiruvananthapuram. Tel :- 438976.
- Tourist Reception Centre (KTDC). Tel :- 330031.
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