Guruvayur Ekadasi 2026 will be celebrated on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the famous Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district, Kerala. Also observed as Gita Day, Guruvayur Ekadasi is one of the most sacred annual celebrations dedicated to Lord Guruvayurappan. The Ekadasi Mahotsavam will be held from October 23 to November 21, 2026, with various religious ceremonies, special offerings, cultural programmes and musical performances.
The festival concludes with the traditional Dwadasi observances and Prasada Oottu on November 23, 2026.
Guruvayur Ekadasi 2026
Guruvayur Ekadasi: November 21, 2026 (Saturday)
Gita Day: November 21, 2026
Ekadasi Mahotsavam: October 23 to November 21, 2026
Chembai Sangeetholsavam: November 6 to November 21, 2026
Dwadasi: November 22, 2026 (Sunday)
Thrayodashi Prasada Oottu: November 23, 2026 (Monday)
The traditional Chuttuvilakku offering begins on October 23 and concludes on the auspicious day of Guruvayur Ekadasi.
Chembai Sangeetholsavam 2026
One of the major attractions of the Guruvayur Ekadasi celebrations is the annual Chembai Sangeetholsavam, organised in memory of the legendary Carnatic musician Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. The music festival will begin on November 6 and conclude on the night of November 21, 2026.
The festival honours the musical tradition of offering devotional music before Lord Guruvayurappan. Thousands of musicians participate in this renowned annual musical celebration.
Chembai Music Festival – Important Events
November 5, 2026 (Thursday):
The tambura used by Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar will be received from Chembai Bhavan at 5 PM.
November 6, 2026 (Friday):
The ceremonial procession carrying the tambura will be welcomed near Manjulal at the Eastern Nada of Guruvayur Temple at 5 PM. Accompanied by elephants and traditional instrumental performances, the tambura will be installed at the Chembai Sangeetha Mandapam in Melpathur Auditorium.
The formal inauguration will take place at 6 PM. The Sree Guruvayurappan Chembai Sangeetha Puraskaram will be presented to renowned mridangam maestro Padma Shri Dr. T.K. Murthy. Playback singer K.S. Chithra will attend as a special guest.
November 7, 2026 (Saturday):
The musical offerings will begin at 7 AM with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by temple Thantri Brahmashri P.C. Dineshan Namboothiripad, followed by auspicious instrumental performances.
Nadadundubhi Seminar – November 5
A special seminar titled 'Nadadundubhi' will be conducted on November 5, from 9 AM onwards at Krishnageethi Hall, Srivalsam Annexe.
The seminar will feature presentations on Krishna Geethi and devotional music, along with a session on voice care and singing techniques.
Guruvayur Ekadasi Festival Schedule 2026
November 17, 2026 (Tuesday)
The special golden Thidambu procession will be held during the night illumination.
November 18, 2026 (Wednesday)
Sampoorna Neyvilakku
Special golden Thidambu procession during the night illumination.
November 19, 2026 (Thursday)
Sampoorna Neyvilakku
Special Kazhcha Sreeveli three times a day.
Golden Thidambu procession during the night.
November 20, 2026 (Friday) – Dasami
The day will be observed as Guruvayur Keshavan Remembrance Day in memory of the legendary elephant Guruvayur Keshavan, who attained the divine feet of Lord Guruvayurappan on December 2, 1976, the day of Ekadasi.
An elephant procession carrying Guruvayur Keshavan's portrait will start from the Thiruvengidachalapathi Temple premises at 7 AM and proceed to the Guruvayur Keshavan statue near Srivalsam Guest House, where floral tributes will be offered. This will be followed by Aanayoottu (feeding of elephants).
At 9 AM, the famous Ghana Raga Pancharatna Keerthanam recital will take place at the Chembai Sangeetha Mandapam. The five compositions of Saint Thyagaraja in Nata, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali and Sree ragas will be rendered by participating musicians.
November 21, 2026 (Saturday) – Guruvayur Ekadasi and Gita Day
The main Ekadasi celebrations will include special rituals, devotional programmes and musical offerings.
Important programmes:
7 AM onwards: Complete Bhagavad Gita Parayanam at the Temple Spiritual Hall, led by Dr. V. Achuthankutty.
Ekadasi Ezhunnallippu: After the morning Kazhcha Sreeveli, the procession accompanied by Panchavadyam will proceed to Sree Parthasarathi Temple. The procession will return to Guruvayur Temple after receiving Nirapara.
9 AM onwards: Special Ekadasi Prasada Oottu at Annalakshmi Hall and Sree Guruvayurappan Auditorium.
2 PM onwards: Ekadasi Aksharasloka Competition.
8:30 PM: Closing ceremony of Chembai Sangeetholsavam at Melpathur Auditorium.
The music festival will conclude with five favourite compositions of Chembai Swamigal, followed by Mangalam, offering the musical celebrations at the divine feet of Lord Guruvayurappan.
Dwadasi and Thrayodashi Observances
November 22, 2026 (Sunday) – Dwadasi
Devotees can offer Dwadasi Panam at the Koothambalam during the Brahma Muhurtham. The temple will close at approximately 8 AM for the morning rituals and reopen for darshan at 3:30 PM.
Special Notice: Marriage ceremonies, Choroonu, Thulabharam and vehicle pooja will not be conducted after the temple closes in the morning.
November 23, 2026 (Monday) – Thrayodashi
The Guruvayur Ekadasi Mahotsavam will conclude with Thrayodashi Prasada Oottu at Annalakshmi Hall. The special feast, featuring traditional Thrayodashi dishes, marks the completion of the annual celebrations.
Guruvayur Ekadasi – Continuous Darshan
Devotees will have the opportunity for continuous darshan from Dasami day, November 20, until the morning of Dwadasi, November 22, except during scheduled pooja timings.
Guruvayur Ekadasi is a spiritually significant occasion that brings together thousands of devotees, musicians and pilgrims. The special poojas, elephant processions, Bhagavad Gita recitation and Chembai Sangeetholsavam make this annual festival a memorable celebration at the sacred Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
May Lord Guruvayurappan bless all devotees with peace, prosperity and happiness.
Comments
Post a Comment