Hari Bol,
VAIKUNDA EKADASI
Vaikunta Ekadashi is one of the most important Ekadasis.Ekadashi is an auspicious day dedicated to Bhagvan Srihari Vishnu and falls on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight in traditional Hindu calendar.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Sanskrit: ?????? ??????; Telugu: ?????? ??????; Kannada: ?????? ??????; Tamil: ??????? ??????) (Sometimes called Mukkoti Ekadashi in Telugu) is the Shukla paksha Ekadashi that occurs during the [Dhanur] month in the Hindu calendar (corresponding to late December - January in English calendar).[1]
In 2015, the date of Vaikunta Ekadasi is Monday, December 21.
Swarga Vasal or or Paramapada opening is from 3:00 AM on December 21, 2015.
Please note that in United States and UK it is marked on December 21, 2015.
In Australia and New Zealand it is marked on December 22, 2015.
Vaikuntha Ekadasi is observed in the Margali Month (Margazhi Masam) as per Tamil Calendar and in Dhanur Masa as per Telugu Calendar.
Ekadashi Tithi Begins = 03:30 on 21/Dec/2015
Ekadashi Tithi Ends = 01:11 on 22/Dec/2015
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi and in Kerala it is known as Swargavathil Ekadasi.
Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is more elaborately celebrated by Vaishnavites. It is more prominent for Tamil and Telugu speaking people.
Fasting, keep vigil at night and passing through the Vaikunta Dwaram are the important auspicious activities on the day.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated with great importance in
Srirangam RanganathaswamyTemple,
Tirupati Balaji Temple
Bhadrachalam Sita Ramachandraswamy temple.
Apart from these temples, all the temples dedicated to Bhagvan Vishnu and his incarnations in South India celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi.
The most important ritual on the day in temples is the opening of the Vaikunta Dwaram or Paramapada Vasal door in Vishnu Temples. This door is only opened on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day and devotees are allowed to pass through it.
Symbolically the door leads to the Vaikunta - abode of Vishnu.
SIGNIFICANCE OF VAIKUNDA EKADASI
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Bhagvan Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi.
Impressed by ‘Ekadasi,’ 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 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 Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Vaikunta Dwaram is opened only on this day in a year in All Vishnu temples.
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 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 Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Vaikunta Dwaram is opened only on this day in a year in All Vishnu temples.
HOW TO OBSERVE VAIKUNDHA EAKADASI?
Vaikunta Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day in Margazhi Shukla Paksha in Tamil Calendar and in Telugu Calendar the same period is Pushya Shukla Paksha.
Things needed for Puja and Prayer
• A picture or photo or idol of Lord Vishnu • Fruits • Tulsi leaves • Betel leaves (optional) • Betel nuts (optional) • Yellow bananas • Unbroken coconut (optional)
Observance
• Wake up early in the morning. Take bath and offer prayers.
• You can perform a simple puja to Lord Vishnu at home by offering fruits and Tulsi leaves.
• You can just light the lamp and prayer or meditate for few minutes – or the normal ritual you do daily. Only difference is that today it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• If there is a Vishnu temple nearby visit the temple and witness morning pujas and rituals.
• Complete fast or upavasam on the day is the main observance.
FASTING
Fasting for 24 hours. It is believed that a partial or total abstinence from food on Ekadasi is rewarded with bliss.
If you have any health problem or are taking medicines, please consult your doctor before deciding on fasting. You can also opt for a partial fast by avoiding food made of rice.
Do not eat food made from rice on Ekadashi.
Evening Prayers
• Take a bath in the evening.
• Repeat the morning puja to Vishnu
• Visit Vishnu temple and witness the evening puja and rituals.
Prayers for Vaikunta Ekadasi
• Vishnu Ashotharam
• Vishnu Sahasranamam
• Or Simple Chanting of – Om Namo Narayana
No Sleep
Staunch devotees who observe Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting do not sleep on the day. They spend the whole night at Vishnu temples or by singing prayers or listening stories dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Next Day Morning
The fast is broken on the next day (Dwadashi) after taking bath. Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a lamp and then you can break the fast.
HOW TO FAST ON EAKADASI DAY?
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
How to observe ‘Ekadashi’ is clearly mentioned in ‘Harivasara.’ In modern day, many people will find it difficult to observe it in its entire strictness. But there are a large number of people who observe it. And there are numerous
observations on what food one can have? There are also regional variations to the way in which the Ekadasi is observed.
The preparation starts on Dasami day – a day before Ekadashi. The person observing Ekadashi should wake up early in the morning on Dasami day and should take bath and perform other daily routines. The person should mentally prepare for the Ekadashi. He/She should only have one meal on the Dasami day and should avoid salt. Alcohol, non-vegetarian food and sex should be avoided. Some Puranas say ‘dal’ and ‘honey’ should be avoided on Dasami day.
The next day, that is the Ekadashi day, is meant for total fasting. Praying to Vishnu is the order of the day. Some people avoid sleep during Ekadashi night and they hear religious discourses and perform ‘Arati.’ But many people today will not be able to stay awake the entire night due to work pressure etc.
The next day on Dwadasi – that is the day after Ekadeshi – the same routine done on Dasami is followed. Overeating should be avoided on Dwadasi day. Puranas state that one should not take pride in observing Ekadashi. The food on Dwadasi should be cooked in one’s house.
It is good to go on fast once in a while as it recuperates the body. Ekadashi observance cleans our body and the digestive organs get much needed rest.
Those people suffering from ailments and on medications should take the advice of a doctor before fasting. Never torture your body in the name of religion. There is nothing wrong in having fruits or milk. And you can bring a certain amount of flexibility in the way it is observed.
Ekadasi vratham is observing total fast (suddha upavasam) on Ekadasi tithi. Timely breaking of the fast on Dwadasi is as important as observing the fast on Ekadasi. Normally, the fast must be broken before trayOdasi arrives. If there is insufficient time, the fasting can be broken with Tulasi water.
People fast on ‘Ekadasi’ day and have ‘Dwadasi Paranai’ (special food or thali) on the next day which levels the acidity and the menu by itself is fantastically medicated. We don’t use tamarind for this thaligai (samayal).
Concerning the food for Dwadasi pAranE, one should avoid using anything related to plantains (vazhai kaay, ilai etc.), also avoid tamarind. One can substitute lemon or dry mango Powder for tamarind Powder for tamarind
MENU for DWADASI PAARANAI THALIGAI
Rice, Ghee, Mor Kzhambu, Pooricha Kootu, Dwadasi Sathumudhu, Nellikai Pachadi, Keerai Masiyal, Akkara vadisil or kannamudhu, Kothavangai Paruppu usili, Mangai Urukai, Agathi Kerai, Sundaikai fried in Ghee, Plain Curd
...Om Namo Narayana.......
