Lord Vishnu is considered as one of the three most supreme powers. Our sacred books described Lord Vishnu as "THE PROTECTOR". He is also known as NEELA MEGHA SHYAMA which means to have a dark complexion as clouds does. GARUDA, an eagle is said to be the mount of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu Sahasranama is said to be a collection of thousand Vishnu namas (names). Several festivals are celebrated in glory of Lord Vishnu all over the country.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed in the name of Lord Vishnu, which falls on 11th day of telugu month Pushyamasam. It is one of the major religious festivals in South India and also called as Mukkoti Ekadasi. This month falls in the end of Dakshinayana (winter solstice) or beginning of Uttarayana (summer solstice). It is believed that, fasting on Mukkoti Ekadasi is equivalent to 23 ekadasi's in Hindu calender. Vaikunta Dwaram or The Gate to Lord's inner Sanctum is opened between 4 to 6 am.The sanctum’s northern gate is opened during this time (Bramha muhurtham).
No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days and this is very important. It is said that the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and he asked the Lord to provide him an abode to dwell. Brahma said to the demon to go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by people on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach. For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. If one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Vishnu is propitiated. All sins are destroyed and the mind is purified. Devotion gradually develops and love for God becomes intense. Orthodox people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days.
A demon Mura, who harassed both devas and mortals, when devas approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu agreed to help them and a battle began between the demon and Lord Vishnu. When lord Vishnu was taking rest inside a cave called ‘Himavati’ in Badrikashrama. Mura decided to slay the lord. But the female energy emerged from Vishnu’s body and vanquished Mura. Lord Vishnu was pleased by the maiden named her Ekadasi and granted her a boon. Ekadasi requested the lord that whoever observes a fast on this 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.
In North India Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated in the name of Putrada Ekadasi, means fasting on this day blesses childless couples with a child. King Suketu, who is the ruler of the city of Bhadravati. Shaivya is his wife. The couple are childless. Unhappy and sad with this, the couple decided to leave their kingdom and go into the forests. The royal couple hands over the affairs of the kingdom to a trusted minister and leaves to the forest. At one point of time, they even consider committing suicide but they withdraws back thinking it to be a cowardice act. One day, the couple hears vedic chants and moves towards the direction. They see few sages praying to Lord Vishnu on the bank of a lotus pond. After the recital, the couple gets to know about the Putrada Ekadashi fast and upon observing it with utmost devotion, they are blessed with a son.
In Tirupathi, Lord Venkateswara Temple this day is celebrated with pomp and devotees visit to see Lords divine blessings though entering Vaikunta Dwaram.Ekadasi is celebrated at Srirangam for 21 days. Ten Days before Ekadasi is called Pagal Patthu (festival day time) and Ten Days after are called Ira Patthu (festival in nights). On Vaikuntha Ekadasi day Lord Ranganatha Moolavar is clothed in armour of pearls and Tiruvaranga Utsavar wearing a diamond coat will be taken to 1000 pillar hall through northern gate. This gate is believed as gate to Vaikuntham and opens only on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Lord Vishnu holds divine darbar along with all Alwars and Nalayaram Divya Prabandham is recited.
This year vaikunta ekadasi falls on Jan 1st, may Lord Vishnu shower his divine blessings on everyone.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed in the name of Lord Vishnu, which falls on 11th day of telugu month Pushyamasam. It is one of the major religious festivals in South India and also called as Mukkoti Ekadasi. This month falls in the end of Dakshinayana (winter solstice) or beginning of Uttarayana (summer solstice). It is believed that, fasting on Mukkoti Ekadasi is equivalent to 23 ekadasi's in Hindu calender. Vaikunta Dwaram or The Gate to Lord's inner Sanctum is opened between 4 to 6 am.The sanctum’s northern gate is opened during this time (Bramha muhurtham).
No rice should be taken on Ekadashi days and this is very important. It is said that the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and he asked the Lord to provide him an abode to dwell. Brahma said to the demon to go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by people on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach. For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. If one observes the Ekadashi fast regularly, Lord Vishnu is propitiated. All sins are destroyed and the mind is purified. Devotion gradually develops and love for God becomes intense. Orthodox people in South India observe complete fasting and vigil even on ordinary Ekadashi days.
A demon Mura, who harassed both devas and mortals, when devas approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu agreed to help them and a battle began between the demon and Lord Vishnu. When lord Vishnu was taking rest inside a cave called ‘Himavati’ in Badrikashrama. Mura decided to slay the lord. But the female energy emerged from Vishnu’s body and vanquished Mura. Lord Vishnu was pleased by the maiden named her Ekadasi and granted her a boon. Ekadasi requested the lord that whoever observes a fast on this 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.
In North India Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated in the name of Putrada Ekadasi, means fasting on this day blesses childless couples with a child. King Suketu, who is the ruler of the city of Bhadravati. Shaivya is his wife. The couple are childless. Unhappy and sad with this, the couple decided to leave their kingdom and go into the forests. The royal couple hands over the affairs of the kingdom to a trusted minister and leaves to the forest. At one point of time, they even consider committing suicide but they withdraws back thinking it to be a cowardice act. One day, the couple hears vedic chants and moves towards the direction. They see few sages praying to Lord Vishnu on the bank of a lotus pond. After the recital, the couple gets to know about the Putrada Ekadashi fast and upon observing it with utmost devotion, they are blessed with a son.
In Tirupathi, Lord Venkateswara Temple this day is celebrated with pomp and devotees visit to see Lords divine blessings though entering Vaikunta Dwaram.Ekadasi is celebrated at Srirangam for 21 days. Ten Days before Ekadasi is called Pagal Patthu (festival day time) and Ten Days after are called Ira Patthu (festival in nights). On Vaikuntha Ekadasi day Lord Ranganatha Moolavar is clothed in armour of pearls and Tiruvaranga Utsavar wearing a diamond coat will be taken to 1000 pillar hall through northern gate. This gate is believed as gate to Vaikuntham and opens only on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Lord Vishnu holds divine darbar along with all Alwars and Nalayaram Divya Prabandham is recited.
This year vaikunta ekadasi falls on Jan 1st, may Lord Vishnu shower his divine blessings on everyone.
-Sudhanvi Vellala
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