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Are you planning a visit to Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple and wondering what tourist attractions in Guruvayur you can cover in that one day? Here’s a comprehensive one-day Guruvayur itinerary for you!

Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur is one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites, drawing millions of devotees and visitors annually. As a Christian, I never visited the temple, but when a colleague from Tamil Nadu asked me what she could explore in Guruvayur with her family after their early morning temple visit, I decided to go look for the best family-friendly tourist attractions in Guruvayur that you can cover in one day.

I was so excited by the options I discovered that we set on a family trip to Guruvayur ourselves just to explore these nearby attractions.

One Day Guruvayur Itinerary

The best places to visit near Guruvayur temple in one day are Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple, Punnathur Kotta, Marine World Public Aquarium, Farm Villa, Panchavadi Beach, St. Thomas Major Archi Episcopal Shrine Palayoor, and Chavakkad Beach.

If you are visiting Guruvayur temple early in the morning, then you have the time to cover all these attractions in Guruvayur if you go in the same order. However, if you have less time, then you can consider skipping one or two of them from your trip based on your preferences. Here is a complete One Day Guruvayur itinerary for families:

Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple

Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple is a must-visit spiritual site located just a short distance from Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. Known for its serene atmosphere and cultural significance, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it’s commonly said that a pilgrimage to Guruvayur remains incomplete without a visit to Mammiyoor.

From what I have heard of the local lore, it’s considered auspicious to visit both temples in one day, with Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple serving as a complementary site of worship for devotees seeking blessings from both Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the most revered 108 shiva temples in Kerala.

Punnathur Kotta

One of the most exciting experiences we had in Guruvayur was visiting Punnathur Kotta, also known as Anakotta. Punnathur Kotta was once the palace of a local ruler but now functions as a sanctuary for elephants that participate in temple festivals in Guruvayur and surrounding regions.

Punnathur Kotta is a spacious habitat for over 50 temple elephants, most of which have been donated by devotees to the Guruvayur Temple over the years. This makes it one of the largest elephant sanctuaries dedicated to a temple in India.

One of the highlights of Punnathur Kotta is the chance to witness the elephants during their daily routines. On our visit, we could observe the elephants up close during their feeding, bathing, and even a bit of training as part of their daily routine.

The entry fee for Punnathur Kotta is Rs. 20 for adults and Rs. 10 for children between the ages of 5 and 10. There is no additional photography fee if you are using a mobile phone camera.

Farm Villa

Located about 8 kilometers from Punnathur Kotta, Farm Villa is a superb place to interact with and pet a wide variety of animals. I have been to many such farm setups but found this Farm Villa in Guruvayur quite unique due to the diversity of animals they have. Our son had such a wonderful time here!

From camels and donkeys that you can feed to ostrich and even a python, they have quite a varied collection of animals. We saw farm animals like cows and goats in different varieties which we found very interesting. The aviary is another top attraction here that we enjoyed. You can feed the multi-colored birds that come and perch on your hand or shoulders and peck gently on your hands.

Farm Villa in Guruvayur charges Rs 150 as the entry fee for adults.

Marine World Public Aquarium

We had the most fun in Guruvayur at Marine World Public Aquarium, India’s largest public aquarium.

Marine World houses a wide variety of marine species, from colorful tropical fish and exotic marine creatures to more familiar freshwater fish. The aquarium is designed to replicate natural habitats, allowing visitors to experience the ocean’s wonders up close. It features walk-through tunnels, large tanks with vibrant coral reefs, and themed sections that showcase different ecosystems.

We were thrilled to spot sea turtles, starfish, stingrays, and sharks among the hundreds of exotic aquatic lives housed in the park. Apart from the aquatic life on display, you also get a fish spa included in the entry fee. When you come out at the exit, you can feed fish in a pond from up close. In fact, it is almost as if the fish are eating off from your hand!

The entry fee at Marine World Public Aquarium is Rs. 400 for adults and Rs. 280 for children above 95 centimeters in height and less than 10 years of age.

Panchavadi Beach

Panchavadi Beach, located at a walking distance from Marine World Public Aquarium is a quite beach where you can spend the evening, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the horizon.  We started our trip from Chavakkad (listed below) and by the time we covered Marine World and Farm Villa, it was evening and so Panchavadi Beach is where we ended our trip.

Panchavadi Beach is not a very touristy beach so you will find less crown here. There are stalls selling snacks and traditional food here that you can explore. What excited us here is the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) available here. Because of the less crowded, it is more exciting (and safer) to drive an ATV here.

St. Thomas Major Archi Episcopal Shrine Palayoor

Located just 3 kilometers from Guruvayur Temple, towards the southwest coast, St. Thomas Major Archi Episcopal Shrine is a must-visit religious as well as a historical site in Guruvayur. This church, commonly known as Palayur church is the oldest church in India and is believed to have been established by St. Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’s disciples, around 52 AD.

The church holds a special place in the hearts of Kerala’s Christian community as it is believed to be among the seven original churches founded by St. Thomas himself, marking the origins of Christianity in India.

When we visited this church, I felt the church was quite simple in its architecture, given its relevance. But the wealth of knowledge you can get here is invaluable. As soon as you enter the church premises, head to the information centre in front of the church to hire a private guided tour of the church at a nominal charge of Rs. 20.

The attractions in the church include an old lamp that is believed to have been once established by St Thomas. It is now renovated into a traditional Kerala-style lamp with seven smaller lamps around it signifying the seven churches established by St. Thomas in Kerala.

The other attractions we found in the church premises include the Boatkullam, where St. Thomas is believed to have arrived at Palayur on a boat. Next to the Boatkullam, you will also find a museum with rare artefacts that narrate the history of Christianity in Kerala.

On the other side of the church, we found a pond called “Thaliyakulam,” where St. Thomas baptised the earliest Christians of India.

Overall, I feel Palayur Church is a must-visit in Guruvayur due to its historical relevance. It is open to everyone, irrespective of your religion.

Chavakkad Beach

Chavakkad Beach is a popular beach near Guruvayur with some unique features. One of the most striking features of Chavakkad Beach is the Azhimukham, where the local river merges with the Arabian Sea. This natural confluence creates a scenic and tranquil spot, particularly popular during sunset, as the river’s stillness meets the ocean’s waves. It’s a unique phenomenon and offers stunning photo opportunities.

The ride to Chavakkad Beach from Palayur church is also quite scenic. On your way, you will find Chavakkad Bridge over the Canoli River with a beautiful canvas for photography. There is also a small children’s park near the bridge where you can spend some quality time if you are visiting with young children.

Chavakkad Beach is 4 kilometers from Palayur Church with Chavakkad Bridge and Park at almost halfway.

Chavakkad Beach is quite a rustic beach with a very active fishing community, many fishing boats, and a sprawling fish market with fresh catches. As a tourist, you can explore speed boating, horse riding, and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rides at nominal charges.

In November 2023, a floating sea bridge was introduced at Chavakkad Beach, but it has now been discontinued due to safety concerns.

How to Reach Guruvayur

Reaching Guruvayur is quite convenient with several travel options available by road, rail, and air.

By Road

Guruvayur is well-connected by road to major cities across Kerala and nearby states. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus services to Guruvayur from cities like Kochi, Thrissur, Trivandrum, and Calicut, as well as interstate buses from Bangalore, Chennai, and Mangalore. Private buses and taxis are also available, and the journey through Kerala’s scenic landscapes adds to the experience.

By Train

Guruvayur has its own railway station, Guruvayur Railway Station (GUV), which has a few passenger trains running from nearby cities of Ernakulam and Thrissur. There is one long distance express train to Chennai and another one to Madurai. If you are unable to find trains directly to Guruvayur at your convenient time, you can plan reaching Thrissur Located about 28 kilometers from Guruvayur. Thrissur is a much larger and better-connected railway station. Taxis and buses are readily available to reach Guruvayur from Thrissur.

By Air

The closest airport to Guruvayur is the Cochin International Airport (COK), located around 80 kilometers away. It has flights connecting to major cities in India and internationally. From the airport, you can take a taxi or hire a car for a one-hour drive to Guruvayur. The Calicut International Airport (CCJ) is another option, around 100 kilometers away, with taxi services available for the journey to Guruvayur.

Wrapping Up: Places to Visit in Guruvayur in One Day

In just one day, a visit to Guruvayur can be filled with not only the spiritual charm of the Sri Krishna Temple but also a variety of memorable experiences around it. What I felt from my family trip to Guruvayur was that, this is a place offering many unique experiences like in Punnathur Kotta or Marine World. Guruvayur is a great place for a family vacation, especially if you are with young children.

If you’re visiting Guruvayur, I hope this guide helps you uncover the gems around the temple and make the most of your time here!