Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Orders Guruvayur Ekadasi Ritual Under Temple Tradition
The Supreme Court made a temporary decision about a special ceremony at Guruvayur Temple.
It said the Udayasthamana pooja should take place on November 21, 2026, following the temple’s tradition.
The ceremony takes place throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset.
It includes a series of 18 poojas, as well as homam and abhishekam.
The court also said the Devasom Board and chief priest may perform it on October 22.
The decision is temporary while a related appeal is still pending.
The court has scheduled that appeal for the first week of December.
The Supreme Court directed that Guruvayur Temple’s Udayasthamana pooja be performed according to temple tradition on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, November 21, 2026.
The court said the direction is interim and subject to the final outcome of a pending appeal.
The Devasom Board and the Thantri were also permitted to perform the pooja on October 22.
The court expedited the appeal and scheduled it for hearing in the first week of December.
The appeal arises from a December 2024 Kerala High Court verdict concerning the ritual.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, hearing an application concerning Guruvayur Temple’s Udayasthamana pooja.
- What
- It directed that the ritual be performed according to temple tradition on November 21, 2026, and allowed it to also be performed on October 22.
- When
- The order was passed on Thursday; the ritual is scheduled for November 21, 2026, with an additional permitted date of October 22.
- Where
- Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, Kerala.
- Why
- The court was considering an application seeking directions for the ritual on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, while a related appeal remains pending.
- Ritual
- Udayasthamana pooja
- Temple
- Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, Kerala
- Vrishchikam Ekadasi date
- November 21, 2026
- Additional permitted date
- October 22
- Ritual duration
- Sunrise to sunset
- Ritual components
- A series of 18 poojas, homam, and abhishekam
- Appeal hearing
- Scheduled for the first week of December
- Underlying verdict
- Kerala High Court verdict from December 2024