The month of Margashirsha (Dec-Jan) also known as Dhanur masa is of great importance to the devotees of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita – masanam margasirso ham – of the months, I amMargashirsha. The Ekadashi, 11th day of the waxing moon of Margashirsha masa is popularly known asVaikuntha Ekadashi. This Ekadashi acquires significance because the great devotee Nammalwar, who comes in the disciplic succession of Sri Ramanuja, went back to Godhead on this day. Lord Vishnu, the Lord of Vaikuntha was at the door to receive His pure devotee. To commemorate this great event, generally all Vishnu temples create a Vaikuntha dwara – a special entrance – in the temple and the utsava Deities of the temple are installed near the dwara. It is said that anyone who passes through the Vaikuntha dwara is guaranteed to go back to Godhead.

Apart from this, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the day on which the epic churning of the ocean of milk was completed by the demons and demigods and the proverbial nectar obtained. It was also on this day that Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Ekadashi and the killing of the demon Mura

The Padma Purana describes that once during the Krita (Satya) Yuga, a great demon, Mura attained immense powers by performing great austerities. The demigods were defeated by him and headed by Indra they took shelter of Lord Shiva, who guided them saying that Lord Vishnu alone could solve their tribulation. Accepting the prayers of the demigods, Lord Vishnu fought with Mura. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while. He also realized that Mura could not be destroyed by His conventional ayudhas, and needed a different ayudha, one against which Mura would be vulnerable. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badarikashrama to rest, and formed the new ayudha. Mura wanted to strike Vishnu while He was sleeping. However, Vishnu made Shakti (Vishnu’s female energy) emerge out of His body and assume the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Mura and reduced him to ashes with one look.

When Vishnu awoke He was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadashi and granted her a boon. The maiden said, “O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins if they fast on this day.” Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikuntha. Thus, it is said, was born the first Ekadashi, which was aDhanur masa shukla paksha Ekadashi.

One earthly year corresponds to one day in deva loka. The earthly year is divided into two parts based on the transit of Sun. The northerly transit of the Sun is called Uttarayana. This corresponds to the calendar months from January to June and lunar months from Margashirsha masa to Ashada masa. The southern transit of the Sun is termed as Dakshinayana which corresponds to the calendar months from June to December. For the heavenly planets Uttarayana corresponds to the day and Dakshinayana to the night. Margashirsha masa,which generally falls in last month of Dakshinayana corresponds to the pre-dawn and during the 11th day of lunar month (Ekadashi), is the time when the dawn just about begins. Hence it is considered auspicious for the propitiation of the supreme Lord Vishnu, as He appears to the denizens of heaven and blesses them.

How is Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrated?  (by: Surya Prakash Rao vadlamani Venkata)

It is believed that the gates of the heaven- the Gate of Vaikunta open on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. Temples prepare what is called as ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven‘ and This gate is opened on this day. In all Vaishnava temples, the northern doors remains open on this day and it is on this day, devotees visit the Lord through this northern entrance.

Fasting is an important aspect of Vaikunta ekadasi and is believed to help in redemption of sins and in attaining Moksha. devotees who observe fast on Vaikunta Ekadashi attain salvation by going to Heaven. people fast for the whole day and maintain vigil. Rice is not eaten on this day.it is believed that demon Muran dwells in the rice and eating of rice could get one feel heavy and hamper the vigil to be kept up. People visit temples offer prayers to Lord Vishnu.

Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is more elaborately celebrated by Vaishnavites. This festival is celebrated with lot of fervour at Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. Vaikunta Ekadashi is very important day and celebrated with utmost fervour and devotion in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam and in Trivandrum Padmanabha Swamy temple.

Source:  Glories of Ekadashi by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

“Jai Shri RadheKrishna”