*Vaikunda EkAdasii*
The Most Significant Vaishnavite Festival in Tamil Nadu, India
*Overview*
Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important Hindu festival celebrated by Vaishnavites
(Hindus) in India (especially in Tamil Nadu). The festival is celebrated
with great significance in almost all Lord Vishnu temples in South India.
This year Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on January 5, 2012.
*Why ‘Ekadasi’?*
Why ‘Ekadasi’ is so important? According to Hindu calendar (Hindus follow
lunar month) the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. There are twenty four ‘Ekadasis’ in a year. On this day the
Hindus observe fasting to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Ekadasi day falling in the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu
calendar month Dhanurmasa (Markazhi in Tamil calendar) (December – January)
is called Vaikunta Ekadasi. On this most significant and auspicious day
Lord Vishnu will enter into the gateway of salvation (Swarga Vasal or
Paramapatha Vasal) at the precincts of Vaishnava temples.
*Opening of Gateway of salvation*
This festival is being celebrated with the opening of Gateway of salvation
in the early morning at Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple (the most
significant among 108 Vaishnavite shrines in Indian subcontinent), Balaji
at Thirumala – Thirupathi and Sri Parthasarathy temple, Chennai and many
more Vaishnava temples. This gateway will be usually located in the
northern side of the temple. The devotees will also accompany the Lord to
the gateway of salvation.
*Devotion and Fasting*
People will observe fasting and keep awake on the previous (tenth day)
night. They will chant mantras or recite holy Puranas or sing songs
praising Lord Vishnu. In the early morning they will visit temples and pass
through the gate of salvation. The gate will remain open for the entire day.
*According to Padma Purana:*
*"Ekadasi vrata samam vrata nasti jagattraye anicchaya'pi yat krtva gatir
evam vidha'vayoh ekadasi vratam ye tu bhakti bhavena kurvate na jane kim
bhavet tesam vasudeva anukampaya"*
The meaning of the verse: Take the entire three worlds. No fasting is even
comparable to the ‘Ekadasi Fasting.’ Any one can attain this Supreme Abode
(Vaikuntam), even if he observes this fasting without proper procedure. On
Ekadasi day, if one observes fasting with full devotion (procedure is not
significant), he will be under the mercy of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. No one
can describe the merit achieved by the devotee.
*Padma purana*
There is a significant evidence for celebrating Ekadasi in the Padma Purana
(the second and the most important among eighteen Hindu Puranas). A demon
named Muran lived in the Krita Yuga. He obtained super power and started
harassing Devas and their subjects. The Devas prayed Lord Vishnu and sought
His help. On a Dhanurmasa (December – January) Lord Vishnu transformed into
Ekadasi (typical female energy) and fought with Muran. Finally Lord Vishnu
established His victory and destroyed Muran, the evil force. Lord Vishnu
wanted people remember ‘Ekadasi’ the female energy. Therefore he announced
that whoever observe fast and worships Lord Vishnu will attain Vaikuntam
and will remain under the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.
*Margazhi Pakal Pathu - RaPathu Festival*
During Dhanurmasa there will be Margazhi Pakal Patthu Rapathtu Festival
observed in Srirangam and other important Vaishnava temples. This 21 days
festival commences ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi and follows ten days
after Ekadasi. The ten days before Ekadasi is known as ‘Pakal Pathu
Festival. A part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Holy Hymns composed by
twelve Azhwars) will be recited during day time (In Tamil pakal means day).
The ten days following Vaikunta Ekadasi is called Rapathu Festival. The
remaining part of Holy Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham (Tamil Veda) will be
recited during early night time (In Tamil Ira means night). The 21 day the
holy marriage ceremony between Lord Vishnu and Andal will take place. With
this marriage the festival comes to an end.
What is importance of Ekadasi and why do we fast on Ekadasi day ? Ekadashi
or Agyaars is the eleventh (11th) lunar day (Tithi) of the shukla (bright)
or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu
calendar (Panchang).
In Hinduism and Jainism it is considered a spiritually beneficial day.
Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on
the day prior to Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following
Ekadashi.
It is the Dwadashi day that is special for Lord Vishnu(just like Pradosha
evenings are for Lord Siva - Vaishnavas observe silence during pradosham).
The Ekadahsi vratam with fasting, chanting etc. is really in preparation
for the bhaghvat aradhanam on dwadashi.
Through the process of fasting, one disciplines the will and the intellect,
quietens the mind, and thus prepares for upasana.
what is the difference between Vaikunta Ekadasi and monthly twice Ekadasis ?
Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the
Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). Vaikunda Ekadesi festival is of
great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha
Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple. In Kerala, it is known as Swarga
Vathil Ekadashi.
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma
Purana. The Purana indicates that Lord Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ –
female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of
Margazhi. Impressed by ‘Ekadasi,’ Lord Vishnu told her that whoever
worships him on this day will reach ‘Vaikunta’ (heaven).
Like all Ekadasi days, devotees fast on this day and observe vigil the
whole night. Some people indulge in meditation, Japa and singing of Hari
Kirtan. Rice is avoided during ekadashi days as it is believed that the
demon Mura finds a dwelling in the rice eaten on Ekadasi day.
It is widely believed that the gates to the heaven open - the Gate of
Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. It is one of the most auspicious
days in Lord Vishnu Temples in South India.
The ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven’ is opened on this day.
This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of
devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples.
wiki:According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent
to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.[1]. However
according to Vaishnava tradition fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashi of
both Sukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered
holier than any other religious observation.
Lord opened the gate of Vaikuntam (his abode) for two demons in spite of
they being against the Lord. They also asked for the boon that who ever
listens to their story and see the image of Lord coming out of the door
(called Dwar) called Vaikunth Dwar they reach Vaikunth as well! Temples all
over the India makes a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to
pass through that.
According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu slayed demon
Muran and protects `Devas'. Impressed by the act, Lord 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).[2]
Vaikunta Ekadasi is one the important and auspicious days to the Hindus. It
is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calander, in the month
of Margazi (Between December and January). Also called the 'Mukkoti
Ekadasi', when observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and
death.
The Legend
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is mentioned in the 'Padma Purana'. As
per the legend, the Devas unable to bear the tyranny of 'Muran', a demon,
approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. A battle ensued
between Lord Vishnu and the demon and the Lord realised that a new weapon
was needed to slay Muran.
In order to take rest and create a new weapon, the Lord retired to a cave
called 'Himavati' in Badrikashrama. When Muran tried to slay the Lord, who
was sleeping, the female energy that emerged from the Lord burnt him to
ashes in one look. Lord Vishnu who was pleased, named the female energy
'Ekadasi' and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadasi, instead beseeched the
Lord that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of
their sins. The Lord thus declared that people who observed a fast on that
day and worshiped Ekadasi, would attain Vaikunta. Thus came into being the
first Ekadasi, which was a Dhanurmasa sukla paksha ekadasi.
*
Ekadasi Morning Meditation on the Lord:*
*Lotus Feet: *Om Damodaraya Namah
*Thighs:* Om Madhavaya Namah
*Private Parts:* Om Kamapataye Namah
*Hips:* Om Vamanaya Namah
*Navel:* Om Padmanabhaya Namah
*Stomach:* Om Vishvamutaye Namah
*Heart:* Om Jnanagamyaya Namah
*Throat:* Om Srikanthaya Namah
*Arms: *Om Sahasrabahave Namah
*Lotus Eyes:* Om Paramayogine Namah
*Forehead:* Om Urugayai Namah
*Nose:* Om Narakeshvaraya Namah
*Hair:* Om Sarvakamadaya Namah
*Head:* Om Sahasrashirshaya Namah
* Bigger the ambitions,
*
*greater will be the issues!!
*
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