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Re: Narayaneeyam day.

From the Bhakti List Archives

Bhattathity M P • December 13, 2002 


OM NAMO NARAYANAYA NAMAH
EKADASI  FESTIVAL DECEMBER 15, 2002

All over India, from time immemorial, the Hindu masses observe Ekadasi, the
eleventh day of every lunar fortnight with great religious fervor. Great
Kings, like Ambarisha and Rukmangada,have found this the best way for
winning the favour of Lord Hari . The importance of Ekadasi observance has
been emphasised in the Narayaneeyam also. Out Of the 24 Ekadasis in an year,
the Vrishchika Ekadasi (month of Karthika, Vrichikam) (Suklapaksha)  has got
special significance in Guruvayur. It falls in the Mandala season. On that
occasion, thousands of people flock to the sacred temple of Guruvayur to
have darsan of Lord Guruvayoorappa. It is believed that all the holy places
like Kashi, Badri, Sabarigiri and Palani, besides all the holy rivers like
Ganges and Yamuna, assembled in the sacred precincts of the Temple, on this
holy occasion.

For eighteen days before this holy occasion ( Now 30 days), by way of a
prelude, there is a festival of lights with gaily caparisoned elephants led
in procession round the temple after night puja to the accompaniments of the
beating of drums, the ringing of cymbals and the blowing of conches. The
Navami (9th day) and Dasami (10th day) are  very important. On the Navami
day, the lighting and illumination are with sacrificial ghee. In days bygone
, this used to be done at the expense of the main priest of the Temple.

About 85 years ago, there came to this temple two devotees, a brother and a
sister from the ancient Kolady family. The sister was past 40 without any
children. In fact, astrologers has predicted that she would have no children
while prominent doctors from Madras had urged the need for a surgical
operation if at all she were to conceive and have a child. The brother and
sister prayed devotedly that if by Guruvayoorappan's grace, this sister
could have a child, they would bear the expenses for the lighting and
illumination with ghee on Navami day. As though by a miracle, before next
Navami, this women gave birth to a son and the family prospered in children
and material wealth. Ever since that time, all the expenses for this Navami
Vilakku are met by the senior representative of this family. On the other
days also, the expenses are met by contributions from may rich families who
have benefited by the blessings of Lord Guruvayoorappa

On the Dasami day, the expenses for the celebration are met by Zamorins
family, while the royal family of Chiralayam celebrates the Ekadasi day with
pomp and grandeur. The sanctum sanctorum remains open from early morning on
Ekadasi  till next morning on Dwadasi day. Meantime, lakhs of Worshippers
pray before the sacred shrine and receive the blessings of Lord
Guruvayoorappa.

On Dwadasi day there is a custom of offering a token amount called Dwadasi
Panam in Koothambalam for the welfare of the family.

It is believed that on this auspicious day Sri Sankaracharyas forced landing
at Guruvayoor Temple occurred and Saint Villwamangalam had a strange vision
of Lord Sree Krishna on each and every person standing  inside the Temple
compound wall.

A highlight of the Ekadasi is the memorial  honour for Gajarajan Kesavan .
The Karanavar or head of the elephant family places a wreath at the statue
of Kesavan in front of Sreevalsam guest house and all the other elephants
stand around and pay obeisance on the Dasami day. On Ekadasi day, the
Udayasthamana Pooja (continuous pooja) is conducted by the Devaswom itself .
After the morning seeveli, on Ekadasi there is  a grant elephant procession
to the Parthasarathi temple since it is regarded as Geethopadesam Day also.
On Ekadasi after night pooja the famous Ekadasi Vilakku with elephant
procession takes place and provides a fitting finale to the festival.

On this auspicious Ekadasi day, therefore, it behooves all people to visit
the temple and pay worship to Lord Guruvayoorappa, who is the fountain of
mercy and loving kindness, showering his blessings in richest measures on
His devotees.

Lord Guruvayoorappa is truly Satchidananda who brings good knowledge and
divine ecstasy of happiness born of devotion to the whole worlds.


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