Sri Parthasarathy
The presiding deity of the Sri Parthasarathy Temple of Guruvayur is Lord Krishna, in the form of Parthasarathy (charioteer). It is that believed this glorious deity was the one worshiped by Queen Kunti Devi, mother of Pandavas. Adi Sankaracarya under the divine guidance of sage Narada discovered this Deity from the holy Ganges river. He then installed this deity at this very same place in Guruvayur. Later on, the temple, which was under the Naduvil Madom Swamiyar, came in to the hands of the Mallissery Mana. During the days of invasion of Tipu Sultan this temple which had its glorious past was forsaken by all for a very long time. It was in the year 1971 when the roof of the Sree Kovil of this temple gave way due to dilapidation. The temple remains, happened to be inspected by some local villagers and devotees. During the excavation they found this sacred Deity under the debris, Thidappally (kitchen), Chuttampalam (outer peripheral structure), outer wall and the Temple Tank. Devotees took up on themselves, the herculean task of resurrecting the Temple to its past glory and started renovation work in right earnest. The structure of this temple is in the shape of a chariot with the many horses. The huge fortifications of the temple are adorned with various paintings of the pastimes of Lord Krishna.
