Vaikunta Ekadashi, also known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi or Sorga Vasal Thirapu, falls on the Hindu calendar month of Marghazhi or Margashira or Margashirsha or Dhanu (mid December – mid January). Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, occurring twice a month - Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. The Ekadashi in Margashira Sukla Paksh is known as Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Ekadasi. In 2023, Vaikunta Ekadasi date is on 23 December 2023.
Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival Date 2023
Vaikunta Ekadasi is called as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi (Swargavathil Ekadasi) in Malayalam and Vaikunta Dwaram or Swargada Bagilu in Telugu. While in North Indian states, Vaikunta Ekadasi is known as Putrada Ekadasi.Vaikunta is the abode of Lord Vishnu and as such, this Ekadashi is very significant to the Lord. Special poojas are performed in Lord Vishnu Temples in India where Vaikunta Dwaram or Vaikunta Vaasal (entry to Heaven) is opened for Darshan of Lord Vishnu.
Importance of Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival
According to puranas, observing Vaikunta Ekadasi vrata and worshipping Lord Vishnu on Ekadasi day will help people to reach Vaikunta on the lotus feet of Mahavishnu. Hindu Devotional blog has posted a completed article on how to observe Vaikunta Ekadasi vrata and the Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi here.
Legend and History of Vaikunta Ekadashi
According to Padma Purana (a Vaishnavite text, considered second among the 18 Puranas) the female energy of Lord Vishnu was called as Ekadashi who killed the demon Muran and protected the `Devas'. Therefore, it is said that those who worship `Ekadashi' on the day would reach Vaikunta.Legend also has it that Lord Vishnu opened the doors of his abode for two demons, though they were against the Lord. The demons asked for the boon that those who listen to their story and see the image of Lord coming out of an entrance called Vaikunta Dwara (Doors of Heaven), they reach Vaikunta. Vaikunta Dwara is seen on the north side of the temples.
Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival in Lord Vishnu Temples
In Tamil Nadu, Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is celebrated in a grand manner at Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu, The Thiruvallikeni Parthasarathy Temple at Chennai and the temples where the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu.
In Kerala, Vaikunta Ekadasi Festival is celebrated with much religious fervor in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, and Ananthapura Lake Temple in Kumbala, Kannankulangara Mahavishnu Temple, Edakkad Mahavishnu Temple, Udayamangalam Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Uduma, Kottacheri Kunnummel Sree Vishnumoorthy Temple in Kanjangad, Vayalil Thrikkovil Mahavishnu Temple, and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple.
In Andhra Pradesh, Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is observed with special importance at the Tirupati Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Special poojas, yagnas, and bhajans will be held on this day. The special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram will be opened at the Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple on this day only.
Informative!
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