Celebrated with immense spiritual fervor, Guruvayur Ekadasi is observed at the Sree Krishna Temple in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (Nov/Dec). The day is uniquely significant as it marks Gita Jayanti, the day Lord Krishna is believed to have imparted the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. A touching highlight of the festival is the memorial service for the legendary temple elephant, Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan, who passed away on an Ekadasi day in 1976. During the festivities, the temple remains open for nearly 48 hours, and thousands of devotees gather to witness the Ekadasi Vilakku, a mesmerizing display of thousands of oil lamps illuminating the temple premises. The event concludes with a grand elephant procession, symbolizing deep devotion and the rich cultural heritage of the “Bhooloka Vaikuntha.”
