Guruvayur Ekadasi 2025

Introduction:

Guruvayur Ekadasi is also known as Vrishchika Ekadasi in Kerala. This falls in the Mandala season of the Kerala almanac, where Navami and Dasami, the ninth day and the tenth day, are very important. This is one of the prominent festivals in the town of Guruvayur, which is observed to honor the temple elephant, “Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan”, and the music festival,“Chembai Sangeetholsavam”. Chembai is one of the legends of Indian classical music, and the Guru of the famous singer, Yesudas. This elephant used to carry the deity and ambulate him. Many stories have been told about the animal's devotion to Guruvayurappan. The elephant had died on the day of Ekadasi, and since then, the day is observed to honor the elephant.

Significance of Guruvayur Ekadasi:

It was on the day of Ekadasi that Lord Krishna rendered the greatest lesson to Arjuna, the “Srimad Bhagavad Gita”. “Gita Jayanthi”, is also a prominent festival here, when Gita chanting and prayers are performed. Singer Chembai had conducted the Thyagaraja Music festival for more than 60 years. To honor him, Kerala Devaswom board had started this festival. The elephant has a sacred connection with the temple. Whenever there was a competition for the elephants to carry the deity, this elephant would always win. Even when it was sick, it would make every effort and ensure that it carried the deity. Once, while carrying the deity in a procession, it fell sick, and a lot of prayers were said for the procession to go well. But the elephant, despite its sickness, completed the procession, and when it was time for its soul to leave its body, it chose an empty ground and calmly breathed its last.

Legends of Guruvayur Ekadasi:

On the day of Guruvayur Ekadashi, the head of the elephant herd at Punnathur Kotta places a wreath on the statue of Guruvayur Kesavan. All the elephants belonging to the temple, surround the grave, and pay their obeisance. There would be a grand elephant procession near the Parthasarathy Temple in Guruvayur.

Once, when Vishnu was sleeping, a demon named Murdanav challenged him to a duel. From the Ekadashi Indriya (Eleven Organs) of Lord Vishnu, a beautiful maiden arose. She mesmerized the demon Murdanav, and the demon wanted to marry her. So Vishnu blessed the maiden and honored her so that she would be revered as Ekadasi on earth.

How to observe Guruvayur Ekadasi:

The joyous festival of Vishu Kani heralds the arrival new year for all the Malayalis, who live across the globe. The preparations for Vishu Kani start a week before, where people get ready to clean the house and be prepared to welcome the prosperous new year. New clothes, gifts, and special gifts have always been a part of the celebrations, where the elders bless the entire family.

People fast on this day and consume just one meal. Devotees take a bath early in the morning. A fast is performed on Ekadasi and would be completed on the day of Dwadasi. Many people would refrain from eating rice, grains, and even salt. Some people just take a simple liquid diet. Prayers and meditation are performed, and sacred texts are read for the whole day. The fast will end on Dwadashi day, by going to a Lord Vishnu temple. Many people would light up the entire house with lamps, and burn incense sticks. It is important to offer flowers, fruits, Tulsi leaf, and other home-cooked Prasadams( Sacred offerings) to the deity. The prayer room is decorated, and a Pooja is performed.

Benefits of Observing Guruvayur Ekadasi:

Ekadasi is one of the sacred days, where the power of the cosmos is high. It helps to purify the mind, body, and soul. Inner cleansing of the soul is highly important, as the power of the Almighty would eradicate all the negative forces of the world, and bestow newer levels of spirituality. When observing the fast, our inner organs get rejuvenated and work better.