Vaikunta Ekadasi is on January 7th 2009

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The most important festival of the year especially for Vaishnavites all over the world is VaiKunta Ekadasi which is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Tamil Month ofMargazhi (Dhanur Masam) which falls on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009.

 

Vaikunda Ekadasi festival is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple at Tirumala, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple.

 

The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Lord Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi. Impressed by ‘Ekadasi,’ Lord Vishnu told her that whoever worships him on this day will reach ‘Vaikunta.

 

It is said that the Divine Gates to the heaven open - the Gate of Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. It is one of the most auspicious days in Lord 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 the temples.

 

Sri RANGANATHASWAMY Temple, Srirangam, Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations in Srirangam in Tamil Nadu - foremost of Vaishanvite Shrines, lasts 21 days and is divided into two parts of pagal pathu (morning part) and Ira pathu (night part). Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned is an armor of diamonds (rathnaangi) and is brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum sanatorium through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal, the gate to the heaven. This gate is opened once in a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadasi day.

 

TIRUMALA Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh also has a similar concept. Thirumala has a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram that encircles the sanctum sanatorium. The dwaram (passage) is opened only on Vaikunta Ekadasi and it is believed that any person who passes through this `Vaikunta Dwaram' on this particular day attains salvation. The temple witnesses heavy inflow of pilgrims and dignitaries for Vaikunta Ekadasi. There will be a sea of people at Tirumala in the first week of January every year.

 

BHADRACHALA RAMA TEMPLE in Andhra pradesh on the banks of Godavari river which is unique Sri Rama temple where Sri Rama is seen with four arms and Sita Ma sitting on His left lap. Vaikunta Ekadasi is also celebrated here in the grandest fashion.

 

Those of you who would like to know about Bhaja Govindam in detail, please click the link below to read or recite Bhaja Govindham on the sacred day of Vaikunta Ekadasi :

http://www.stephen-knapp.com/bhaja_govindam.htm

 

Those of you who are busy people can watch about 11 minutes to watch, listen & English meaning of Bhaja Govindham by no other than the Legend, The Queen of Carnataka Music, Late MS SubbaLakshmi (MS Amma) is a delight to our eyes and ears on this holy Vaikunta Ekadasi Day is a MUST. Please click the link below to enjoy during the two hours of the Maha Yajnam on January 7th :

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4FUQxn4CnY & feature=related

 

It is also highly desirable to recite or listen Sri Vishnu Sahasra Namam on Vaikunta Ekadasi especially during the 2 hours of Maha Yajnam on January 7th by clicking the link below :

 

http://www.raaga.com/playerV31/index.asp?pick=67841 & mode=3 & rand=0.9162802770375509 & bhcp=1

 

And finally for those devotees who are keen to recite all the 1000 names and their English meaning during Vaikunta Ekadasi, please click the link to recite :

 

http://www.trsiyengar.com/id71.shtml

 

Let us all Celebrate this wonderful Vaikunta Ekadasi day by Praying to Our Beloved Lord Sai to grant us the strength to spread His Divine Mission and Message to many of other parts of the world.

 

Om Sai Ram

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