The Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple Guruvayoor

The Thiruvenkitachalapathy Temple situated at Thiruvenkidom desom which is a kilometer to the north east of the famous SreeKrishna Temple, Guruvayur is an ancient and unique shrine in many respects. The most notes worthy point is that the deity worshipped at this temple is the same Lord Thiruvenkitachalapathy (Balaji) worshipped at the world famous Tirumala Temple in Andrapradesh. As per astrological findings made by reputed astrologer, late Puduseri Vishnu Namboodiri, more than one thousand years ago, a sage from the Tirumala Temple came over to Guruvayur and wishing to establish a temple for his Lord Venkitachalapathi at Guruvayur where there is already a temple for Lord Sreekrishna, sat by the side of the present temple tank, prayed for and obtained permission of the Lord for such a temple at Guruvayur and then established this temple after bringing an idol from Tirupati.  This astrological finding is borne out by the simple fact that the locality where this temple is situated is known as Thiruvenkidom from time immemorial. The abode of Thiruvenkitachalapathy, is naturally Thiruvenkidom . It might be the wish of the great Lord that where he is already worshipped as Sreekrishna, he should be worshipped as Venkitachalapathy also. That must explain this extraordinary phenomenon of the three different manifestations at the same place, to perhaps make true. His declaration that "whoever worships me in which ever manner, I bless him in the same manner". There is no doubt, that in that distant past when communication and contact facilities wore totally lacking the sage could come from Tirumala and establish this temple at distant Guruvayur is entirely due to the Lord's will and blessings. This temple could very well be treated as established by the Lord himself, the sage being only an instrument in His hand. But here also man's violent nature and maliciousness manifested. Enemies of the temple later mutilated the idol. The head and right hand of the idol were cut off and later generations didn't know whose idol it was. This continued till 1974 In 1974, some devotees arranged the devaprasna (astrological search) mentioned earlier and came to know the real nature of the deity. The devotees then went to Tirumala, arranged an idol from there, took it to all the temples in South India, finally brought to Thiruvenkidom and reinstallation was done in June 1977 in a grand ceremony by the Thanthri of the Guruvayur temple, Brahmasree Chennas Parameswaran Namboodiripad, and Periya Jeer Swami of Tirumala who is believed to be the successor of the founder sage of this temple. Thus the Lord in his divine grace manifested himself again at Thiruvenkidom. Now most of the devotees who come to Guruvayur have darsan of Lord Venkitachalapathy.Another unique feature of this temple is that about six hundred years after the original installation of Lord venkitachalapathy an idol of Bhagavathy (Mother goddess) was also installed here. This Mother goddess through her benign nature and generous blessings soon began to be worshipped as the ruling mother of the entire population. There soon grew and emotional tie between the Mother and the devotees. She was the refuge and protector of all the devotees. No body returned empty handed from her Divine presence.After the idol of Thiruvenkitachalapathy was mutilated it was the Mother's shrine which retained the tradition of this temple. The Mother continued to be worshipped during this cloudy period. This is explained by the fact that for the local people this is still the temple of the Thiruvenkidom Bhagavathy as the presence of Thiruvenkitachalapathy came to be known only in 1974, Now both Thiruvenkitachalapathy and Bhagavathy have equal importance. The main Sreekovil is of Thiruvenkitchalapathy. Bhagavathy's Srikovil is in the south East end of the valiambalam.Ganapathy (Vigneswaran) Saraswathy, Ayyappan and Nagaraja are also worshipped as upadevadas. A separate shrine is also built for the original founder of the temple, Ramanujaryar.After the reinstallation in 1977 an elaborate systems of poojas and rites have been prescribed. Pooja is done three times for Bhagavathy and Venkitachalapathy. Milk and navakabishekams are done for Venkitachalapathy preceding the Uchapooja. Poomoodal is done daily for Bhagavathy as part of the Uchapooja. This is done as offerings by the devotees.Muttirickal and Poomoodal are very important offerings for Bhagavathy. Muttirickal is done by ceremoniously breaking a coconut at the feet of the Bhagavathy. This is done for removing all obstacles in the path of the devotee in all matters connected with his life, like getting job, passing of examinations, Marriages etc. Poomoodal on the other hand grants all his wishes and ensures success in all ventures. This is borne out by the fact that Poomoodal is booked in advance up to 2020 now. Only one Poomoodal is done on one day. Booking is continuing.