തന്നെ ഭജിച്ച് ഭജനം പാര്ത്തിരുന്നവരോടുള്ള ഭഗവാന്റെ ദയാവായ്പിന് പ്രത്യക്ഷ ഉദാഹരണണാണ് ദശവര്മ്മന്റെയും ചെമ്പകശേരി മ്പൂതിരിയുടെയും കഥകള്. ഗുരുവായൂരപ്പനെ സ്വന്തം മകനായി കരുതി ഭജനമിരുന്ന നൈഷ്ഠിക ബ്രഹ്മചാരിമാരായിരുന്നു ഇവര് രണ്ടുപേരും.
Special Offerings at Guruvayur temple

In Kerala tradition, the devotees do not themselves perform the poojas. They bring various articles for worship and the temple priests offer them to Lord with mantras (sacred recitation). They are returned to the devotee with some flowers picked from the altar of the Lord as a blessing. Offerings may be made in any form as the devotee wish. Some of the usual offerings are mentioned here
Nadayiruthal of Elephants
The offering of elephant is called Nadayiruthal literally making it sit before the Lord. Nadayiruthal is done after the morning seeveli near flag staff. The lamps are lit and a cloth or blanket is spread over which the elephant is made to sit.
Avil Nivedyam
Avil (beaten rice) offering to the Lord is considered important on the first Wednesday of the month of Dhanu (December). This is based on the belief that it was on this day that Kuchela, an ardent devotee of Lord offered avil to Him and in return attained eternal bliss
Bhajan
Of all the offerings, the most important and fruitful is the dedication of one's soul, mind and body to the Lord. There are Bhajans for various occasions. Garbhakala bhajan
Sayana Pradikshanam
It is performed with or without bhajan . In this devotee circumambulates the temple, rolling , along the pradhikshina vazhy (circular track). Ladies are not allowed to perform this offering.
Vivaha (Marriage)
The temple provides facilities to conduct marriages at any time at the Kalyana mandapam (platform with roof covering) in front of the Eastern Gopuram.
Arangettam
This is the first public appearance on the stage . Artists give their first public performance before the Lord, and some give free performance every year.
Thulabharam
Offering one's weight of such materials as coconut, coconut water, butter, sugar, fruits, copper, silver, gold or any other material is a popular vow taken by devotees.
Vidyarambham
Thousands of children are initiated into learning in the temple on the Vijaya Dasami day. There are arrangements for this ceremony in Oottupura (dining hall) of the temple on the northern side.
Chorun or Annaprasam
The child is fed for the first time with the rice and payasam (sweet milk porridge) offered to the Lord. It is believed that this will protect the child from starvation in later life.
Nadathallal
This is making over the child to the Lord. The parent offers the child to the Lord by placing the child before Him. After nadathallal, the child is supposed to be of the Lord and the parent gets it back, with His showered blessings on the child.
Picking of Kunnikkuru
A vat full of Kunnikkuru (Jequirity or Abrus Precatorious) is kept near deepasthambam to the south of the flags staff. Children are fond of agitating the content of the vat with their tender hands.
Alroopam
These are miniature replicas of parts or whole of a human body or of any divine form made of silver or gold offered to the deity, in fulfillment of a prayer or a wish. Alroopams are available with the Devaswom staff in duty near the flag staff.
Nivedyams
Palpayasam (rice boiled in Milk and sugar) , Pradhaman (rice boiled with jaggery and extracted coconut milk), Ada Prathaman (rice flakes boiled with jaggery),
Alankar
Decking the idol with flowers, garlands, milk cloth, golden cloths, gold ornaments, silver and precious stone ornaments or simply plastering of idol with sandal paste.
Meaning of Archana
Worship with mantras (sacred recitation) and flowers.
Prasada oottu
There are arrangements for free feeding as prasadam at the dining hall for thousands of pilgrims at 10.00 am every day. One can make an offering of any amount (minimum Re.1.00) for this free feeding.
Anayoottu
This is an offering in which feeding to the Lord’s elephants with rice, jaggery, plantain, coconut etc. is done. The charges for this offering per day is Rs.4000.00.
Krishnanattam
Krishnanattam is regarded as an act of piety. Manavedan presented it as a routine offering to the Lord. Devotees can offer this as a Vazhipad and it is staged inside the temple
Udayasthamana pooja
This is the most coveted and dearest of all poojas. This is an offering which involves special poojas and illuminations (continuous Pooja from dawn to dusk).
Akhandanama
Akhandanama or non-stop recitation of the holy name from dawn to dusk is another greatest offering one can make like Udayasthamana pooja for the fulfillment of the wishes.




































