Guruvayur Ekadasi

Ekadasi, the eleventh day of a lunar fortnight, is considered auspicious by the Hindus. Of the 24 Ekadasis in a year, the Vrishchika Ekadasi in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (corresponding to November/December) has got special significance.

At the Guruvayur temple, the presiding deity of which is Lord Krishna, Ekadasi Vilakku (vilakku means lighted lamp) starts a month before the Ekadasi day. This is done as an offering by the devotees.

The highlights of the month-long Ekadasi festival at the temple are the udayastamanapooja (dawn-to-dusk pooja); a memorial service for the famed temple elephant Gajarajan Kesavan and the eleven-day Carnatic music festival held in memory of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, legendry Carnatic musician. And on the Ekadasi day after the evening poojas the famous Ekadasi Vilakku with elephant procession takes place.