Mammiyur Mahaveda Temple
The ancient Mammiyur Temple is situated at a walkable distance of 200 meters Northwest to the famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Uma Maheswaran. Goddess Parvathy sits to the left of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is also given equal importance in a sanctum sanctorum near to that of Lord Shiva. Every devotee who goes to Guruvayur Temple is supposed to go to Mammiyoor also, as the ritual goes. The temple is a part of the 108 famous Shiva temples in Kerala and one among the five Shiva temples around Guruvayoor. Beautiful mural arts that depict episodes from the Hindu mythology, and divine characters in the most elegant form can be seen here.
The legendary history extends to the consecration of the famous Sree Guruvayur Temple - It was the final phase of Dwaparayuga. The great Deluge has submerged Sree Krishna's abode Dwaraka and the Lord, as a playful child, was frolicking on a banyan leaf tossed about by the surging waters. Devguru Brihaspathi and wind god Vayu stumble upon him where upon the Lord himself handed over to them the idol of the Supreme Lord that he has been worshipping at Dwaraka, with instructions to have it installed and consecrated at an appropriate spot-on earth.
Guru and Vayu then descended on the banks of a sprawling lake Rudratheertha rendered holy by Lord Shiva who has been doing penance there for ages. Realizing the purpose of the visit Lord Shiva suggested the consecration there itself on the bank of Rudratheertha and obligingly moved over to a nearby location on the other side of the Rudhra theertha.
The place where Guru and Vayu consecrated the idol of Lord Krishna became GURUVAYOOR and the site that Lord Shiva chose for himself and his consort Sree Parvathy became Mahimayur, mahima evolving out of the status bestowed on Lord Shiva for voluntarily relinquishing his initial abode to accommodate Lord Krishna. This in course of time got colloquialized as MAMMIYUR.
Location
Guruvayoor
Main Deity
Lord Shiva
Other Deities
Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganapathi, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Ayyappan, Goddess Kali and Serpent deities
Festivals
Maha-Shivarathri, Pradhishta Day of Lord Vishnu in the month of Makaram, Athirudra Mahayagna December 2009 and Maharudrayagnas, Murahoma and Sukrutha homa, Rigveda Dhara, Murajapam, Thanthri Pooja, Navarathri, MandalaPooja, Vinayaka Chathurthy, Ramayana Month, Shashti- pradishta day of Lord Subrahmanian, Ayilya Pooja, Thiruvathira, Nira Putheri, Ashtami Rohini, Vishu, Pradosham, Annadanam.
Main Offerings
Jaladhara, Rudrabhishekam, Ksheera Dhara, Ganapathy Homam, Bhagavathy Seva, Karuka Homam, Nirapara, Swayamvararchana, Shangabhishekam, Rektha Pushpanjaly, Muzhukappu, Mrithyunjaya Homam, Sahasranamarchana, Neeranjanam, Kalbhabhishekam, Abhishekam, Mala Charthu, Adithya Namaskaram, Anthi pooja, Choroonu, Thulabharam, Udayada Charthu, Vidyarambham.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport situated at 78.8KM from the Temple.
By Rail: Guruvayur Railway Station is situated 1.4KM from the temple.
By Road: Guruvayoor KSRTC Bus Station is situated 650M from the temple.