Guruvayur Ekadashi 2025: Unveiling the sacred significance and observances in Kerala

Guruvayur (Kerala): Guruvayur Ekadashi, one of the major festivals of the Guruvayur temple in Thrissur, Kerala, is observed during the waxing bright fortnight of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. The day is regarded as the temple’s consecration anniversary. This year, Guruvayur Ekadashi falls on Monday.

According to the tales, the consecration of the temple took place during the Shukla Paksha (waxing bright fortnight) of Vrischikam. It is also believed that on this day, Lord Krishna passed on the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, who was distraught on the chariot after seeing his loved ones on the opposing side during the Kurukshetra War. For this reason, the day is also observed as Gita Day.

Guruvayur is among the few Vaishnava temples in Kerala with its own dedicated Ekadashi celebrations.

The ritual of Ekadashi fasting

Ekadashi fasting is considered a sacred ritual in the worship of Lord Vishnu, performed for spiritual purification and liberation from sin. Traditionally, devotees take only one meal on Dashami and observe a full fast on Ekadashi. If a full fast is not possible, fruits and grains such as wheat may be consumed instead of rice. Sleeping during the day is avoided. Devotees are encouraged to visit a Vishnu temple, participate in bhajans, and chant Vishnu kirtans. Reciting or listening to the Vishnu Sahasranamam, Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, and Narayaniyam is considered ideal. The fast is broken early in the morning, the next day, on Dwadashi, named as 'Parana' (breaking the fast) with teertham mixed with flowers and tulsi leaves, after which devotees may resume their regular meals.

Ekadashi fasting is believed to aid spiritual and mental purification. The observance is said to promote health, peace of mind, victory over adversaries, and the blessing of children. Some devotees believe that the ritual helps absolve the sins of seven births and brings prosperity and happiness to the family.

Rituals at Guruvayur

A morning procession will be held at 6:30 am to the Parthasarathy temple. After the evening deeparadhana, a chariot procession will begin from the Parthasarathy temple and proceed to the Guruvayur temple. Darshan restrictions, including for VIPs, will be in place from 5 am to 5 pm. Prasadam will be distributed at 9 am at the Anna Lakshmi Hall, a special pandal, and the Sree Guruvayurappan Auditorium.

The dishes of Ekadashi are wheat rice, rasakalan, puzhukku made with raw plantain, Chinese potato, and yam, served with banana chips, wild lemon pickle and wheat payasam.

The queue for prasadam distribution will close at 2 pm.

The Dwadashipana dedication ceremony will take place at the temple Koothambalam, early morning, the next day, during which devotees offer dakshina to the priests to mark the conclusion of the fast. The Dwadashi Ootu (feast) will be held on Tuesday from 7 am to 11 am at Anna Lakshmi Hall.