Guruvayur Ekadashi

Guruvayur Krishna!
“Guruvayur Ekadasi is on Dec 6th 2011, Tuesday. On Dashami day (5thDec 2011,Monday)after Nirmalya darshan ( 3.00AM ), the temple is closed only at 9.00 am on Dwadasi Day (12th day), thus Sree Guruvayurappan allows continuous “Darshan” for devotees throughout Dasami and Ekadasi Days. Jay Sree Guruvayurappa….. This day is also regarded as “Geethopadesam day”.. ....the day on which Bhagavan Krishna revealed Gita to Arjuna. Jay ParthaSaradhee……. Ekadasi is the name of the Goddess that arose from Lord Vishnu to defeat Demon Mura.The Legend is like this. Once while Bhagwan Narayan was resting a demon named Murdanav came and challenged Him to a duel. Suddenly a damsel appeared, evolved out of the Ekadash indriyas of God --.(The ten indriyas (sense organs) comprise the five karma indriyas (mouth, hands, feet, anus and genital organs) and five gnan indriyas (eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue). The ten indriyas along with the mind are collectively known as “Ekadash indriyas”.) Murdanav was so attracted to this damsel that he asked her to marry him. The damsel agreed, but only if he agreed to a duel with her, Blinded by passion, he fought with her & she killed him. Pleased with her, God granted her a boon. She asked, "O Prabhu! As I have manifested from your Ekadash indriyas, let my name be Ekadashi. I am wedded to tap (austerity) and I desire that people should observe the Ekadashi vrat (fast) and control their Ekadash indriyas on this day. Pleased with her divine act, Bhagavan Vishnu blessed her that “anyone who observes Ekadasi fast will be freed of their sins and will attain Moksha”…..Narayana … Narayana… Ever since, we Hindus fast on Ekadashi. Ekadashi occurs twice a month in the Hindu calendar - on the eleventh day of the bright half - called Shukla Paksha and on the eleventh of the dark half called Vad Paksha ....After the morning seeveli, on Ekadasi there is a grant elephant procession to the Parthasarathi temple. Also on the Dwadasi day(12th day), there is a unique custom of offering a token amount called Dwadasi Panam in Koothambalam for the welfare of the family and it is considered highly auspicious. … Jay Sree Guruvayurappa…… On Ekadasi day, the Udayasthamana Pooja (continuous pooja) is conducted by the Devaswom itself .
Guruvayur ekadasi is also known as Vaikunta Ekadashi or Mukkoti Ekadashi as it is said believed that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to Bhagavan’s Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this auspicious day. On this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram or the Swarga Vaasal, 'The Gates of Heaven' are believed to be kept open. The area encircling the sanctum is referred to Swarga Vaasal and devotees throng to gain entry into the temple, to seek the Lord. According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis. On Vaikunta Ekadasi Fasting is an important aspect of the dos associated with it. People fast the whole day and keep vigil. Special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu and devotees engage in Japa (Chanting of the Lord's name) and Dhyana (Meditation). On 'Dasami', the previous day of the observance, devotees who take up Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting are to take only lunch. On Ekadasi, the next day, they have to maintain a complete fast and engage in prayers and meditation of the Lord. They are strictly prohibited from taking rice. That night, people keep vigil the whole night and visit the temple of Lord Vishnu, mostly in the wee hours of the morning. All are welcome to the Sreelakam of PonnuGuruvayurappan…..SreeKrishnarppanamasthu……. —