Vaikunta Ekadashi or the Moksha Ekadashi is the Ekadashi that occurs in the Hindu calendar month of Marghazhi .This is observed with all solemnity in the temples of Lord Vishnu.Vaikunta Ekadashi is of great significance at Tirupathi Balaji temple , Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple and also all temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on remaining 23 ekadashis of the Hindu calender year.On this day the "Vaikunta Dwaram" (Swarga Vaasal) or "The Gate to the Heaven " is opened .This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord.
LEGEND OF VAIKUNTA EKADASHI :
According to Padma Purana,during the Krita Yuga an assura or demon named Muran harrased both the Devas (Gods) and mortals (human being).Unable to bear his tyranny the devas sought help with Lord Shiva,He inturn asked them to approach Lord Vishnu.Vishnu agreed and went out to battle with Muran , and it lasted for one thousand celestial years.Vishnu needed to rest for a while and entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badrakashrama to sleep.Muran wanted ot strike while Vishnu was sleeping.However shakti - Vishnu's female energy emerged out of his body and assumed the form of a beautiful damsel (A young unmarried woman) and fought with Muran and vanquished him.When vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as EKADASHI and granted her a boon.The damsel asked for a boon that whoever listens to her story and see the God coming out of the vaikunta Dwaram,will reach the Vaikunth as well.This happened in the month of margazi.,so this Ekadashi is celebrated as Vaikunta Ekadashi.
FASTING :Like all Ekadashi days,devotees fast on this day and they keep awake the whole night doing Meditations, Japam and singing Hari Kirtan. It is also said that no one should eat Rice ,the story goes like this : The SWEAT that fell down from the head of Lord Brahma assumed the form of a demon and said to the Lord,"O Lord ! now give me an abode to dwell"(a place to live).Brahma replied to Demon to go and dwell in the Rice Particles eaten by Humans on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach.
CELEBRATIONS :
IN SRIRANGAM :
The celebrations lasts 21 days and is divided into two parts as Pagal Pathu(morning part)and Iraa pathu (Night Part).Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned in armour of diamonds and is brought to the Thousands -Pillared hall from the Sanctum (A place of inviolable privacy) and through the Northern gate Known as "Paramapada Vaasal" ,the gate to the heaven.This gate is opened once in a year ,on the Vaikuta Ekadashi day.
IN TIRUMALA :
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple has a similar concept like Srirangam.They open a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram that encircles the sanctum .
The Vaikunta Ekadashi has number of reasons associated : of which ,
This is the day of the churning of the Milky ocean for Nectar .(Paarkadal lirunthu Amrutham vanthathu ) .Besides that Kaamadhenu , Irravatham,Kalpa Viruksham , Apsaras, Paarijatha Pushpam appeared.
Thus ,on this day Sages and devout people have been since, observing the Ekadasi Vrata regularly.
To get more detailed explanations about Ekadashi go through this website....http://www.scribd.com/doc/2525581/ekadashi .
For Photos visit this link :http://photos.papadspices.com/GalleryFilmstrip.aspx?gallery=11866&photo=333059
PRAYERS TO LORD VISHNU :
Shaantakaaram bhujaga shayanam padmanaabham suresham
Vishwadhaaram gagana-sadrisham megha-varanam shubhaangam.
Lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam yogi-bhi-dhyaana-agamyam
Vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika-naatham.
(to hear this mantram in mp3 format visit : http://www.eaglespace.com/spirit/vishnumantra.php)
sources : wikipedia , www.hindu-blog.com
LEGEND OF VAIKUNTA EKADASHI :
According to Padma Purana,during the Krita Yuga an assura or demon named Muran harrased both the Devas (Gods) and mortals (human being).Unable to bear his tyranny the devas sought help with Lord Shiva,He inturn asked them to approach Lord Vishnu.Vishnu agreed and went out to battle with Muran , and it lasted for one thousand celestial years.Vishnu needed to rest for a while and entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badrakashrama to sleep.Muran wanted ot strike while Vishnu was sleeping.However shakti - Vishnu's female energy emerged out of his body and assumed the form of a beautiful damsel (A young unmarried woman) and fought with Muran and vanquished him.When vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as EKADASHI and granted her a boon.The damsel asked for a boon that whoever listens to her story and see the God coming out of the vaikunta Dwaram,will reach the Vaikunth as well.This happened in the month of margazi.,so this Ekadashi is celebrated as Vaikunta Ekadashi.
FASTING :Like all Ekadashi days,devotees fast on this day and they keep awake the whole night doing Meditations, Japam and singing Hari Kirtan. It is also said that no one should eat Rice ,the story goes like this : The SWEAT that fell down from the head of Lord Brahma assumed the form of a demon and said to the Lord,"O Lord ! now give me an abode to dwell"(a place to live).Brahma replied to Demon to go and dwell in the Rice Particles eaten by Humans on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach.
CELEBRATIONS :
IN SRIRANGAM :
The celebrations lasts 21 days and is divided into two parts as Pagal Pathu(morning part)and Iraa pathu (Night Part).Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned in armour of diamonds and is brought to the Thousands -Pillared hall from the Sanctum (A place of inviolable privacy) and through the Northern gate Known as "Paramapada Vaasal" ,the gate to the heaven.This gate is opened once in a year ,on the Vaikuta Ekadashi day.
IN TIRUMALA :
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple has a similar concept like Srirangam.They open a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram that encircles the sanctum .
The Vaikunta Ekadashi has number of reasons associated : of which ,
This is the day of the churning of the Milky ocean for Nectar .(Paarkadal lirunthu Amrutham vanthathu ) .Besides that Kaamadhenu , Irravatham,Kalpa Viruksham , Apsaras, Paarijatha Pushpam appeared.
Thus ,on this day Sages and devout people have been since, observing the Ekadasi Vrata regularly.
To get more detailed explanations about Ekadashi go through this website....http://www.scribd.com/doc/2525581/ekadashi .
For Photos visit this link :http://photos.papadspices.com/GalleryFilmstrip.aspx?gallery=11866&photo=333059
PRAYERS TO LORD VISHNU :
Shaantakaaram bhujaga shayanam padmanaabham suresham
Vishwadhaaram gagana-sadrisham megha-varanam shubhaangam.
Lakshmi-kaantam kamala-nayanam yogi-bhi-dhyaana-agamyam
Vande vishnum bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika-naatham.
(to hear this mantram in mp3 format visit : http://www.eaglespace.com/spirit/vishnumantra.php)
sources : wikipedia , www.hindu-blog.com
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