There is a unique charm to Guruvayur on Ekadashi morning. Before sunrise, the town has already begun to stir. Shops lift their shutters early, lamps flicker in temple courtyards, and the air seems to hold a gentle vibration that you only notice when you pause for a moment. Devotees walk towards the Sri Krishna Temple with a quiet steadiness, each carrying their own hopes, prayers or promises.

This is Guruvayur Ekadashi, one of the most cherished days in the temple’s calendar. And in 2025, the occasion becomes even more meaningful as it coincides with Mokshada Ekadashi, a sacred observance associated with inner release and spiritual upliftment. Together they create a day that feels both devotional and transformative, offering guidance, clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.

Guruvayur Ekadashi 2025: Date and Timings

Guruvayur Ekadashi and Mokshada Ekadashi will be observed on:

Date: Monday, December 1, 2025

Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 9:29 pm on November 30

Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 7:01 pm on December 1

Sunrise: 6:56 am

These timings form the foundation of the day’s observance, especially for fasting, puja and darshan planning.

Auspicious Choghadiya Timings for puja: 

Not all hours carry the same spiritual weight. According to Vedic timekeeping, certain periods are considered truly auspicious for worship, meditation, chanting or beginning Ekadashi rituals.

The most favourable windows on December 1 are:

• Amrita (Best): 6:56 am to 8:15 am

• Shubha (Good): 9:33 am to 10:52 am

• Labha (Gain): 2:47 pm to 4:05 pm

• Amrita (Best): 4:05 pm to 5:24 pm

Even a short puja or mantra session during these windows is said to enhance the spiritual merit of the day.

Why Guruvayur Ekadashi Holds Deep Significance

Guruvayur Ekadashi is closely tied to the temple’s history, devotion and traditions. While Ekadashi is observed across India, the celebration in Guruvayur carries a distinctive emotional and spiritual charge. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here in the form of Sri Krishna. The temple resonates with the energy of thousands of devotees, many observing strict fasts and offering special prayers. Ekadashi at Guruvayur is also linked to Geeta Jayanti, marking the divine moment when Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. 

A touching highlight of the day is the remembrance of Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan, the legendary temple elephant whose loyalty and service turned him into an icon of devotion. The temple elephants gather to honour him with a floral tribute, creating a deeply moving moment that adds to the sanctity of the day. With Mokshada Ekadashi falling on the same date, the spiritual impact of this Ekadashi grows even stronger. Devotees believe that observing the vrat with sincerity can help release past burdens, clear the mind and strengthen one’s connection with the divine.

How to Observe Guruvayur Ekadashi at Home or in the Temple

Guruvayur Ekadashi is powerful not because it demands complexity but because it encourages sincerity. Here is a clear and gentle guide to follow.

1. Prepare your space and mind:

•  Begin the day early with a bath, wear fresh, clean clothes and tidy the spot where you intend to pray.

• Place a small Krishna idol or picture, tulsi leaves and a diya on your altar.

• A peaceful corner sets the tone for the entire observance.

2. Choose a fasting method that feels authentic: Traditional Ekadashi fasting avoids grains and heavy foods. You may:

• Take fruits, water or milk

• Eat one simple sattvic meal

• Follow a complete fast if comfortable

The aim is discipline without strain.

3. Perform a simple puja

• Light a diya or havan flame and sit quietly for a moment.

• Offer tulsi leaves, sandal paste, bananas or pal payasam.

• Chant a mantra that feels close to your heart. Many devotees recite the Vishnu Chalisa or the Krishna Mantra for focus and grounding. Listen and chant along on AstroSure.ai for clarity and devotion.

4. Read or listen to sacred texts

• A chapter from the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam can help deepen insight.

• Even a few verses read with intention carry great spiritual value.

5. Practise kindness and service

• Feed cows, donate food or offer essentials to someone in need.

• Small acts of compassion are considered essential to Ekadashi observance.

6. Break the fast mindfully on Dwadasi

• The next morning, eat a light sattvic meal.

• Share a portion with someone if possible.

• This completes the vrat with gratitude.

If You Are in Guruvayur: Rituals That Bring the Festival Alive

Guruvayur Ekadashi is known for its grand yet soulful temple traditions:

• Ekadasi Vilakku: For weeks leading up to Ekadashi, lamps are lit daily, turning the temple pathways into a glowing river of light.

• Continuous Darshan: The temple remains open from early Dashami until Dwadasi morning, allowing uninterrupted darshan for thousands.

• Udayasthamana Pooja: A special sunrise-to-sunset worship ritual performed with great devotion.

• Elephant Procession: A stately procession led by the chief temple elephant, honouring both Lord Krishna and Kesavan’s memory.

• Chembai Sangeetholsavam: A classical music festival that adds melody and cultural richness to the day.

Each tradition layers the festival with emotion, devotion and community spirit.

Spiritual Benefits of Observing Guruvayur Ekadashi

Devotees observe this Ekadashi with faith because its blessings are said to touch every aspect of life:

• Clarity of mind and improved focus

• Release of emotional heaviness

• Deepened devotion and inner steadiness

• A calmer, more peaceful home environment

• Better self-discipline and purpose

• Physical lightness from fasting

• A renewed sense of spiritual direction

Ekadashi acts like a soft reset, helping you reconnect with what truly matters.

If You Cannot Visit the Temple

If you cannot visit the temple, you can still experience the heart of Guruvayur Ekadashi wherever you are. Keep the day simple and unhurried, stay away from unnecessary noise and light a diya at dusk to anchor the mind. A few minutes spent with a mantra or a verse from the Gita is enough to create the right atmosphere. What matters is not where you are, but how sincerely you hold the intention of the day.

Guruvayur Ekadashi brings together devotion, heritage and quiet transformation. Whether you observe it through fasting, prayer or small acts of kindness, the day invites you to realign your heart with purpose and peace. With Guruvayur’s divine energy and the grace of Mokshada Ekadashi merging in 2025, this observance has the potential to feel truly uplifting.

Ask Agastyaa on AstroSure.ai for personalised Ekadashi rituals today