Nava Mukunda Temple, Guruvayur, Kerala India

This temple is located on the banks of river Bharathapuzha in Thirunavaya and is dedicated to Nava Mukunda, a form of Lord Vishnu. Devotees flock the place in large number for offering the end time rituals for their loved ones. 

Guruvayoor temple in Kerala is also known as ‘Bhoolokavaikunta’ or ‘Paradise on Earth’. It is one of the most visited and famous holy places in South India. In terms of devotees every day, it is the fourth biggest shrine in India. Guruvayoor temple is an amalgamation of two words- ‘Guru (teacher of the God’s) and ‘Vayu’ (God of winds). Lord Krishna, also known as Bal Gopalan is the main deity of the shrine. It is said that just a mere sight of Lord’s statue in its magnificence is enough to make an individual hallowed and pure.

According to myths, the sanctified edifice is approximately 5,000 years old. The hallowed place was constructed by divine architect Vishwakarma. According to mythology, when the shrine of Dwarka was immersed under the sea, Guru and Vayu were given the responsibility to find out a similar new place for a spanking new temple. Eventually, they discovered a new place that came to be popular with the name of Guruvayoor temple and the God Guruvayurappan.

The oldest story of temple is noticeable in ‘Kokasandesam’, a 14th century Tamil work. In this scripture, it is described as Kuruvayur. The holy place actually got famed with Melpathur’s ‘Narayaniyam’. At this home of Lord, utmost number of marriages is executed every year.