Guruvayur: Tens of thousands of devotees thronged the Lord Sree Krishna Temple here on the occasion of 'Ekadesi' festival on Saturday. Devotees came from all over the state and the country to offer prayers to the idol of Lord Sree Krishna and celebrate 'Ekadesi' day (the anniversary day of the consecration of the idol). Due to three holidays in a row starting from Saturday, there was unprecedented rush of devotees, the Guruvayur Devaswom authorities told DC. Guruvayur Ekadesi is observed on the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) Ekadas in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam.
By Saturday afternoon, more than 50,000 devotees visited the temple. The doors of the sanctum sanctorum, which were opened in the wee hours of 'Desami' day on Friday, will be closed only on the 'Dwadesi' day on Sunday. The sanctum sanatorium which will be closed at 9 a.m. on Sunday will be opened at 4.30 p.m. No devotee will be allowed to enter the temple during this time. Devotees were on a fast by avoiding starch food. At the 'Annadanam' (feast for devotees) held at the Annalakshmi, which is a daily event at the temple, 'Ekadesi' food and pudding made of wheat were served starting from 9.30 a.m. More than 30,000 devotees took part in it.
In the run up to the 'Ekadesi' in the last 30 days, 'Ekadesi Vilaku' was conducted every day by several individuals and organisations. The 15-day-long Chembai Carnatic music fest which is considered as a blend of devotion and music ended at midnight in Melpathur auditorium on Saturday with the rendition of the most favourite compositions of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. The 'Shukla Paksha Ekadasi' in Vrishchikam also has historical importance. It was only on this day Hindu believers of all caste were allowed to enter the temple before the temple entry proclamation in 1936.
