Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Did you know that Vaikuntha Ekadashi, which falls on the 11th day [Ekadashi] of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the month of 'Pausha' as per the Hindu calendar, is an important religous festival today dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it is believed that ‘Vaikuntha Dvaram’ (the gate to Vaikuntha heaven ) is opened on this day?

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the 11th Lunar day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the Lunar month of 'Pausha' (15 December to 13 January) as per the Hindu calendar when it is belived by the Vaishnavas, Smarthas, and Sri Viashnavasa that the door to the Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu is opened. Every Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu or a form of Vishnu's ten avataras (incarnations), has such a divine door or Vaikunta dwara fixed in its precincts so that devotees pass through this Vaikuntha Dwara, doorway to heaven called Bhholoka Vaikunta, which opens once in a year on this day, today. Passing through this door on this day has special sanctity of enhancing the postive spiritual energy of the devotee and helps him/her to wash of all sins and attain the goal of liberation of the soul and avoid the cycle of birth and rebirth. This day also happens in the Tamil month of Marghazhi or Dhanur masam, after the start of the northern journey of the Sun (Uttarayana). Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting is an important aspect of those associated with it. 

Special prayers from the Vedas, Naalayira Divya Prabandham, Sri Vaikuntha Gadhyam, as well as the Vaikuntha Dvara Puja, Prakarothsvam (Sri Veli), Oonjal Seva (swing pooja), Oonjal Prabhandham, yagnas, discourses, and katha kalakshepam (lectures) are held at many Vishnu temples around the world on this auspicious day.This Ekadasi in particular has special sanctity as it is said to have the power of the other 23 ekadasis fast kept round the year. 

One of the popular legends narrated to this event is related to Ambarisha, King of Ayodhya. The King, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu used to observe Ekadasi fast. Once, during Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Ambarisha performed the Dvadashi Vrata at Vrindavana, which required that the king must start a fast on Ekadashi, and break it at the start of Dvadasi (the twelfth day), and feed all his people. On this particular Ekadasi day before he could break his fast sage Durvasa visited him and thus his routine was disturbed. He offered obesiance to the sage and requested the sage to be his honoured guest for a meal, which the latter accepted, but went first to perform his ritual ablutions at the holy river Saryu. For some reason, Durvasa got delayed and the auspicious moment of breaking of fast approached. King Ambarisha was in a dilemma as he felt that not breaking his fast before the day was over, the act of his fasting would not bear fruit. So as advised by his priests, instead of eating a morsel of food to break the fast he took a sip some water, which broke his fast, which he hoped to not prove to seem insulting to the sage. But the sage who returned soon after found the act of the King as an insult to him and in fury, as was his wont,in his rage created an asura (demon) to kill Ambarisha, out of a strand of his hair. Because Ambarisha was a great devotee of Vishnu, the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu intervened, killed the asura, and started chasing Durvasa himself. He went to Vishnu himself, who said that he could do nothing as he was bound by the faultless devotion of Ambarisha, and suggested to the sage to seek the pardon of the king. Durvasa went to Ambarisha, who prayed to Vishnu to recall his discus, and save Durvasa. Thus, Durvasa's life was spared. 

The most important for this particular festival is considered to be in Srirangam which is specifically known for the Svarga Vasal opening. In this temple dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy, Ekadashi celebrations lasts for 20 days, divided into two parts: pagal pathu (morning part 10 days) and Ira pathu (night part 10 days). Vishnu, as the mulavar (central temple idol) of Ranganatha, is regarded to bless devotees in his Muthangi, an armuor of pearls, on all 20 days. On the 10th day of Pagal Pathu (previous day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi), the utsavar (processional idol), named Namperumal, is believed to bless devotees, in his form as Mohini. The utsavar, clad in an armour of diamonds and gems (rathaangi), and brought to the thousand-pillared hall from the sanctum sanctorum, is taken through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal or the Svarga Vasal, the gate to Vaikuntha. 

The celebrations of this special occasion span across all Vaishnva temples including the Venkateshwara Temple Tirumala Hills,. In the 

The Shaiva sect observes the day as Trikoti Ekadashi, a religious observance where adherents regard it to be the date when all the deities in the Hindu pantheon pay obeisance to Shiva.

Narasipur Char