Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Guruvayurappan, a four-armed manifestation of Lord Vishnu. It is located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala, India, and is managed by the Guruvayur Devaswom Board.
Guruvayur Temple is one of the most significant places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, often referred to as Bhuloka Vaikunta, meaning "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth." It is classified as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams in the Vaishnavite tradition.
The central icon of the Guruvayur Temple is a four-armed standing representation of Lord Vishnu. He is depicted holding the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana, the mace Kaumodaki, and a lotus adorned with a tulasi garland. This image embodies the divine form of Vishnu.
The worship practices at the Guruvayur Temple are based on routines established by Adi Shankara, which were later formalized in a Tantric framework. These rituals are believed to have been revealed to Krishna's parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, around the time of his birth, and they reflect an inter-religious spiritual movement that emphasizes devotion and reverence.