Vaikuntha Dwar opens once a year only on Vaikuntha Ekadashi
10-day Vaikuntha Utsava at Rang Ji Temple begins on Vaikuntha Ekadashi
The presiding deity
of the famous and one of the biggest Temples of North India Rang Ji Temple
in Vrindavan, Lord Ranganatha and Goda Amma started their journey to the
Vaikuntha Dwar early in the morning on the auspicious day of Vaikuntha
Ekadashi. Vaikuntha Ekadashi also marks the beginning of the 10-day Vaikuntha
Utsava that is celebrated only at a few temples throughout India. In South
India Vaikuntha Utsava is celebrated with much pomp at temples belong to Sri
Sampradaya, especially, at the famous Ranganathaswamy Temple of
Srirangam, but in North India, the festival is celebrated only at the Rang Ji
Temple in Vrindavan. Vaikuntha Utsava is one of the biggest events that Rang Ji
Temple conducts in a calendar year. Other important events at Rang Ji Temple
are Vivahotsava
and Brahmotsava.
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| Vaikuntha Dwar |
On the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Lord Goda-Rangamannar leaves the Garbhagriha in a golden Rath to reach the Vaikuntha Dwar. Here, with Vedic Mantrochhara priests conduct Puja of Lord Ranganatha, Goda Amma, Ramanuja Swami, Shathkopa Swami, Nath Muni Swami, Madhur Kavi Swami and other Alwar saints. After resting for half an hour at the Vaikuntha Dwar, Lord Ranganatha passes through the Vaikuntha Dwar seated in a gold chariot with his divine consort Goda Amma. Thousands of devotees while chanting the name of Lord Ranganatha follow the golden chariot through the Vaikuntha Dwar and reach Vaikuntha Mandapam situated at the Paundanatha Temple where Lord Ranganatha is rested for Darshan. At the Vaikuntha Mandapam, thousands of devotees who arrived at the temple early morning in the chilling winter of January get benefitted from the Darshan of their beloved Lord Ranganatha.
The legend behind
the celebration of Vaikuntha Utsava is associated with Saint Shathkopa and
Lord Vishnu. Shathkopa also known as Nammazhvar in South India
was the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu and one of the 12 Alwars. Lord Vishnu
seeing Shathkopa’s devotion wanted to take him to Vaikuntha Dham. But, other
saints such as Madhur Kavi and Nath Muni Swami wanted Shathkopa to stay in the
mortal world for the benefit of humanity. Shathkopa Swami also wanted to hear various Rama
Leela and Krishna Leela from Lord Vishnu Himself. Thus, Lord Vishnu granted him
10 more days to live on Earth and then took him to Vaikuntha. Following this,
the tradition of celebrating Vaikuntha Utsava began in the temples of Sri
Sampradaya.
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| Idols of Shathkopa Swami, Nath Muni Swami and Madhur Kavi Swami during the Vaikuntha Utsava |
Vaikuntha
Ekadashi falls during Dhanur solar month in Hindu
calendar. Dhanur month or Dhanurmasa is known
as Margazhi month in Tamil Calendar. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is
Shukla Paksha Ekadashi out of two Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha Ekadashis in
a month. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is observed according to Solar Calendar and because
of that it might fall either in Margashirsha or in Pausha month in Hindu Lunar
calendar. In Gregorian calendar there might be none, one or two Vaikuntha
Ekadashis in a year.
Benefits -
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadashi. It is
believed that Vaikuntha Dwaram or the gate of Lord's inner
sanctum is opened on this day and devotees who observe fast on Vaikuntha
Ekadashi attain salvation by going to Heaven.
Vaikuntha
Ekadashi is very important day for Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati and
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is known as Swarga
Vathil Ekadashi in Malayalam Calendar followed by people of Kerala.
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