The Mammiyoor Temple.
The ancient Mammiyur Temple is situated at a walkable distance of 200 metres north west to the famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Uma Maheswara. Lord Vishnu is also given equal importance in a sanctum sanctorum near to that of Lord Shiva. This is the only Temple where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are worshipped in equal status in poojas, rituals, thanthripooja, Rigveda dhara, murajapa, festival processions and in all respects. The upadevas are Sree Parvathy, Vigneswara, Subrahmanian, Ayyappa, Brahmmarakshassu, Bhagavathy, Naga and Rakshassu. This is a prominent Temple among the 108 Shivalayas consecrated and regulated by Lord Parasurama, the mythical founder of Kerala.
The legendary history extends to the consecration of the famous Sree Guruvayur Temple - It was the final phase of Dwaparayuga. The great Deluge has submerged Sree Krishna's abode Dwaraka and the Lord, as a playful child, was frolicking on a banyan leaf tossed about by the surging waters. Devaguru Brihaspathi and wind god Vayu stumble upon him where upon the Lord himself handed over to them the idol of the Supreme Lord that he has been worshipping at Dwaraka, with instructions to have it installed and consecrated at an appropriate spot on earth.
Guru and Vayu then descended on the banks of a sprawing lake Rudratheertha rendered holy by Lord Shiva who has been doing penance there for ages. Realizing the purpose of the visit Lord Shiva suggested the consecration there itself on the bank of Rudratheertha and obligingly moved over to a near by location on the other side of the Rudhra theertha.
The place where Guru and Vayu consecrated the idol of Lord Krishna became GURUVAYOOR and the site that Lord Shiva chose for himself and his consort Sree Parvathy became Mahimayur, mahima evolving out of the status bestowed on Lord Shiva for voluntarily relinquishing his initial abode to accommodate Lord Krishna. This in course of time got colloquialised as MAMMIYUR.
The devotees who visit Sree Guruvayoor Temple for darshan used to pay pranams to Sree Mammiyurappan by nodding towards North West direction at Bhagavathykettu in Temple. It is considered that any pilgrimage to Guruvayoor Temple is complete only after a visit to Mammiyur Temple also.
