The central shrine is believed to have been rebuilt in 1638 A.D.
By then it had become the most famous center of pilgrimage in
Kerala mainly due to the five devotees who propagated the glory
- Poonthanam, Melpattur, Vilvamangalam, Kururamma and the Prince
Manadevan (Zamorin). In 1716 AD The Dutch plundered and set fire
to the temple. It was rebuilt in 1747 AD.In 1766 AD Haider Ali
captured Calicut and Guruvayur, but spared the temple for a
reason of 10000 Ferams which was paid by Vatakkepat Variyar.The
general insecurity prevailing; the flow of pilgrims and the
annual payment of tenants ceased. Haider Ali however gave a
'Devadaya' (free gift) to the temple in 1780 AD., on the
recommendation of the Governer of Malabar, Srinivasa Rao and
thus saved the temple from total extinction. In 1789, Tipu
Sultan, Haider Ali's son and successor descended on the scene to
defeat the Zamorin and to convert Hindus to Islam. Fearing
destruction of the image, the Mulavigraha (Main deity) was
hidden underground and the Utsavavig