Guruvayoor, the ‘Bhuloka Vaikunta’ and the ‘Dwarka of South’, has acquired incredible prominence on the global level for its profoundly glorified temple of Lord Krishna Guruvayoorappan. The city receives a prodigious deluge of devotees all round the year and the entire culture, ethnicity and customs of Guruvayoor revolve around the Lord Krishna Temple. The daily Poojas and rituals performed at the temple and the yearly festivals celebrated here with ultimate enthusiasm, devotion and passion comprise the most important segment of life in Guruvayoor. Some of the most noteworthy festivals and fiestas for which Guruvayoorappan Temple and the city Guruvayoor are renowned all over the map include Guruvayoor Festival, Chembai Sangeetholsavam, Guruvayur Ekadasi, Vishu, Ashtami Rohini, Kucheladinam, Mandala Pooja, Saraswathy Pooja, Thiruvonam, Puthari, Vaishakha, Samkramam, and so on.

Guruvayoor Festival celebrated in the Malayalam month Kumbha, which falls in February or March according to English calendar is the annual festival of the Guruvayoor Krishna Temple. Celebrated for ten consecutive days, this ostentatious carnival beckons thousands of devotees and tourists from every corner of the country and globe. The fête commences with the hoisting of the temple flag atop the flagstaff which is followed by the well renowned elephant race of Guruvayoor. In this competition 10 to 15 temple elephants participate in a one kilometer race that begins at Manjualla and terminates at the temple gate. The winner of the race is conferred upon the honor of bearing the idol of Lord Krishna during all the processions carried for next ten days.

The Guruvayoor Festival showcases the traditional and cultural legacy of the region through its stunning performances of traditional dances, music and several religious discussions organized at the Melpathur Auditorium. On the 8th day of the festival ‘Utsavabali’ is offered to the Lord’s Lieutenants, which is ensued by a blessed Prasad feast to the devotees. 9th day is the ‘Pallivetta’ day which symbolizes the victory over all the evil emotions. Later, the Lord Krishna is offered holy bath and ‘Aarattu’ at the temple pond. Bathing in this ‘Kund’ is believed to be extremely auspicious and sin cleansing. After the noon worship, the Lord returns to his sanctum and the temple flag is lowered to mark the conclusion of the festival.

Chembai Sangeetholsavam is the annual festival of Carnatic Music organized at the Guruvayoor Temple by the Guruvayur Devaswom. Conceptualized and perpetuated for 60 years by Chembai, a great master of Carnatic Classical Music, this festival tradition is now continued by the temple Devaswom in his honor and memory. Over 2500 musicians arriving from different corners of the country partake in this 15 days musical carnival that reaches its culmination on the Guruvayoor Ekadasi Day. As per the custom, the musicians must sing five prime songs of Chembai and the ‘Pancharatna Kritis’ of Saint Thyagaraja in order to pay homage to these two prominent personalities of this region.

Guruvayur Ekadasi, the most vital festival of the temple is celebrated on the Vrishchika Ekadasi Day of the Suklapaksha in the Mandala season. On this day a dawn to dusk Pooja known as ‘Udayasthamana’ Pooja is offered to the Lord Krishna by the Devaswom. A grand elephant procession is held after the morning seeveli and following the night Pooja, the Ekadasi Vilakku is performed. On this day the temple is illuminated with over 10000 lamps and the Chembai Sangeetholsavam is also completed on the Guruvayoor Ekadasi Day.

Vishu is the Malayali New Year day that is celebrated on the 1st day of the ‘Medam’ month of Malayali calendar. Sighting the ‘Kani’ i.e. good omen which comprises Konna flowers, raw rice, betel leaves and nuts, yellow cucumber, gold and coins placed in front of the Lord Krishna the first thing in the morning on the Vishu Day is believed to be fortunate for the upcoming new year.

Ashtami Rohini, the birthday of Lord Krishna (Janmashtami) is celebrated in the Chingam month when Appam and Palpayasam are offered to the Lord and banquets are laid at the temple for the devotees.

Kucheladinam is celebrated on the first Wednesday of Dhanu month in the memory of Kuchela (also known as Sudama), the poor childhood friend of Lord Krishna. It is believed that on this day he had offered Shri Krishna a gift of Avil and later received material prosperity as well as eternal bliss. Devotees offer Avil to Lord Krishna on the Kucheladinam.

Mandala Pooja commences on the first day of the month of Vrishchikam and continues for next 41 days. During this period Lord Krishna is offered the special panchagavya abhishekam everyday which is followed by various other rituals including Mandalam. Mandalam means immersing the deity with sandal paste, saffron, camphor and rose water. Mandalam is the busiest time of the year when a number of chief temple festivals including the Guruvayoor Ekadasi Festival, Narayaneeyam Day, and Kucheladinam etc also occur.

Saraswathy Pooja is performed on the ninth day of Navaratri Festival when the training in various traditional arts such as Kathakali, Krishnanattam, Kalaripayattu etc begins. Also known as the Vidyarambham Day, the Saraswathy Pooja day holds great significance in the life of the students.

Thiruvonam is commemorated on the Uthradam Day of Chingam month when bananas are offered to the deity. These bananas are later fed to the temple elephants and the devotees are tendered with the Onam Feast and the Pazhaprathaman.

Puthari marks the beginning of using the newly harvested rice of the year. On this day Puthari Payasam is offered to Lord Krishna.

Vaishakha is the Hindu Lunar month that falls in the month of April or May. During this time the Vaishakha Vratham is performed in the honor of Lord Vishnu. This Vratham includes early morning bathing, feeding the poor, fasting, offering prasadam to the Lord and other rites. Akshaya Thrithiya day i.e. the birth day of Lord Balarama is the most auspicious day of the Vaishakha month. During this festival Palpayasam is offered to Lord Krishna.

Samkramam is observed on the eve of every new Malayali month when the Guruvayoor temple is thronged by the devotees in order to take the holy Darshana of the Lord Guruvayoorappan.