According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu killed demon Muran in the form of a damsel named “Ekadashi” to protect Devas. This occurred during the month of Marghazhi (Margashira or Margashirsha) (mid December – mid January). Hence anyone who worships Lord Vishnu on Ekadasi day would reach Vaikunth. This year, Vaikunta Ekadasi is on 23 December 2023.
Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Hindu Puranas say that it was on this day that the churning of the ocean occurred and the Amrit (nectar of immortality) emerged out of the ocean was distributed to the Gods. Hindus believe that those who die on this day are freed from the cycle of birth and death and that they would directly reach Vaikunta.Another importance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is that the Bhagavad Gita Upadesh of Lord Krishna to Arjuna during Kurukshetra War is said to have done on this day.
How to observe Vaikunta Ekadasi Fasting
Though there are 24 Ekadashis in a year, according to Vishnu Purana (the primary text among
the 18 Puranas), observing fast on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day offers equal benefits of observing all the other 23 Ekadashis during the year. Devotees observe a complete fast on the day, awake during the whole night and offer prayers such as Vishnu Ashtotharam and Vishnu Sahasranamam Stotra of Lord Vishnu.
However, if it is not possible to fast completely, one can consume fruits and milk. Food made from rice is to be avoided during the day. The fast is to be broken on the following day (Dwadashi). Read more about Ekadasi Vrat Here
Vishnu Ashtothram
Vishnu Sahasranamam
Vishnu Gayatri
If you don’t know any of the above mantras you can simply chant "Om Namo Narayanaya"
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Observing Ekadashi Vratam
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Mantras & Prayers for Vaikunta Ekadasi
As Vaikunta Ekadasi is of great importance to Lord Vishnu,devotees can chant any mantras of Lord Vishnu. However the most important mantras of Lord Vishnu to chant of Vaikunta Ekadasi includeVishnu Ashtothram
Vishnu Sahasranamam
Vishnu Gayatri
If you don’t know any of the above mantras you can simply chant "Om Namo Narayanaya"
Opening of Gateway of Salvation (Swarga Vasal or Swarga Vathil)
One of the important rituals associated with Vaikunta Ekadasi is the opening of Gateway of salvation in the early morning at Lord Vishnu Temples in India. The gateway is usually located on the northern side of the temples. Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated with much religious importance in Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, and almost all temples of Mahavishnu.--
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Observing Ekadashi Vratam
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The Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on 11 day of the auspicious month of Margashirsha Masam(also known as dhanur masam), So Vaikunta Ekadasi is “Margashirsha shukla-paksha Ekadashi” also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi. This corresponds to December - January in English calendar.
ReplyDeleteIn Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna said - of all months, Iam Margashirsha. Vaikunta Ekadasi is the great Ekadasi of this auspicious month.
In all Sampradayas “Margashirsha shukla-paksha Ekadashi” is called as Vaikunta Ekadasi but only in Gaudiya-vaishna sampradaya (ISKCON belongs to this sampradaya) it is called as Putrada Ekadasi or Moksada Ekadasi (sometimes it corresponds to Putrada Ekadasi and some other year it corresponds to Moksada Ekadasi).
In Vedic Puranas, it is mentioned that on Vaikunta Ekadasi & dwadasi, all the 3 crore Devatas(Mukkoti Devatas) will come to Tirupati-Tirumala for the Darshan of Supreme Lord Sri Venkatesha who is Sriman Narayana. So Vaikunta Ekadasi is very grandly celebrated in Tirumala-Tirupati.
Also in Sri Rangam(Tamil-Nadu) it is very grandly celebrated, in Sri Rangam also all the 3 crore Devatas take darsan of the Sri Ranganatha swami who is also Sriaman Narayan.
Darshan of Lord Venkatesha (Sriman Narayan) or any Vishnu-Avatar on Vaikunta Ekadasi is very very auspicious and great opportunity, so all 3 crore devatas are waiting for Darshan of Lord Sriman Narayan(Vishnu) on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Fasting on Vaikunta Ekadasi is very very auspicious and great opportunity which removes all Sins, purifies the Self, and for Moksha (liberation from samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth, and going to great Vaikunta Planet).
Food made with Grains or Beans are not to be eaten on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
It is strictly recommended that, one should not eat food made from any "Grains or Beans" on any Ekadasi day.
So many people (who are not performing complete fast) eat Fruits, Milk or food made up of Sabudana(Sago), or any vegetables which are not grains or not beans. This type of food is called supper food(or Ekadasi food), performing this type of Ekadasi fasting by eating supper food is also auspicious and benefits people.
In 2014 Vaikunta Ekadasi is on 11th January 2014
In 2015 Vaikunta Ekadasi is on 1st January 2015(New Year day)
In 2013 there is no Vaikunta Ekadasi, because in 2012 it was in December 2013 and 2014 it is on Jaunuary 2014 and it did not come in 2013.