Vaikuntha Ekadashi # Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Sometimes called Mukkoti Ekadashi in Telugu) is the Shukla paksha Ekadashi that occurs during the Pausha month in the Hindu calendar (corresponding to late December - January in English calendar). Vaishnavism (Worship of Vishnu) culture believes that ‘Vaikuntha Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to Lords Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. The Margashirsha shukla paksha ekadashi in lunar calendar is known as a Mokshada Ekadashi. Special prayers, yagnas, discourses and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples across the world on this auspicious day.According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.However according to Vaishnava tradition fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashi of both Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered holier than any other religious observation. Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham (his abode) for two demons in spite of their being against him. They also asked for the boon that whoever listens to their story and sees the image of Vishnu coming out of the door (called Dwar), called Vaikunth Dwar, will reach Vaikunth as well. Temples all over India make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to walk through. According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Vishnu slayed the demon Muran and protects the Devas. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the suns journey in the Dhanurrashi or Dhanu Rashi. Impressed by the act, Vishnu names her as Ekadashi and gives her the boon that those who worship Ekadashi on the day of her victory over Muran would reach Vaikunth (His abode). Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of the important and auspicious days for Hindus. It is dedicated to Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calendar, in the month of Margashirsha (between December and January). When observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and death.In order to take rest and create a new weapon, Vishnu retired to a cave named for the goddess Haimavati in Bhadrikashrama. When Muran tried to slay Vishnu, who was sleeping, the female power that emerged from Vishnu burned Muran to ashes with her glance. Vishnu, who was pleased, named the goddess Ekadashi and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadashi, instead, beseeched Vishnu that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins. Vishnu thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshipped Ekadashi, would attain Vaikuntha. Thus came into being the first Ekadashi, which was a Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi. Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting is an important aspect of those associated with it. People fast the whole day and keep vigil. Special prayers are offered to Vishnu and devotees engage in Japa (chanting of Vishnus name) and Dhyana (Meditation). On Dashami, the previous day of the observance, devotees who take up Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting are to take only lunch. On Ekadashi, the next day, they have to maintain a complete fast and engage in prayers and meditation of Vishnu. They are strictly prohibited from taking rice. That night, people keep vigil the whole night and visit the temple of Vishnu, mostly in the wee hours of the morning. On this day, the Vaikuntha Dwaram or the Vaikuntha Vaasal, The Gates of Heaven are believed to be kept open. The area encircling the sanctum is referred to Vaikuntha Vaasal and devotees throng to gain entry into the temple, to seek Vishnu. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations in Srirangam last 21 days, divided into two parts: pagal pathu (morning part) and Ira pathu (night part). [Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned by an armor of diamonds (rathnaangi) and brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum sanctorum through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal, the gate to Vaikuntha. This gate is opened once in a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day. It is said that any one who goes through the Paramapada Vasal will reach vaikuntham. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Sri_Vaikuntha_Ekadashi_ISKCON_Bangalore.jpg
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 02:31:22 +0000
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