Vaikunta Ekadasi, also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi is the most sacred day for Lord Vishnu, which offers easy access to reach the Lord. Of the 24 Ekadasis in a year, this is considered the most important, as fasting on this day can reap benefits equivalent to fasting on all the other 23 Ekadasis. Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe strict fasting and indulge in all-night prayer on this day. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day can help you to attain Moksha or salvation and liberate you from the cycle of birth and death. Also, on this sacred day, Lord Vishnu keeps his doors to Vaikunta wide open for his beloved devotees. Famous Vishnu temples such as Sri Rangam, Tirupati and almost every Vishnu temple will have a special structure of the gate called ‘Vishnu Dwara’ erected on this day. It is believed that those who pass through this gate can pass through the gates of the Vaikunta.
How to observe fasting on Vaikunta Ekadasi?
Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated on the 11th Waxing Moon (Shukla Paksha Ekadasi) in the Tamil month of Margazhi (mid-Dec to mid-Jan). Items needed for the Pooja
- Photo or idol of Lord Vishnu
- Flowers
- Tulsi leaves
- Fruits
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Bananas
- Coconut
- Lamp, wick and oil
- Incense sticks
- Pooja & Fasting Procedure
- Wake up early in the morning and take a bath
- You can perform a simple Pooja for Lord Vishnu at your home
- Place the idol or photo of Lord Vishnu and decorate it with flowers
- Light a lamp and incense sticks in front of the idol
- Offer the fruits and worship the Lord
- You can also read sacred texts like Bhagavad Gita or sing hymns (Vishnu Sahasranamam or Ashtottram) in praise of Lord Vishnu
- Visit any nearby Vishnu temple and participate in the special rituals
- You can choose to observe a partial or strict fasting on this sacred day
- If you are under medication, consult a doctor before observing a fast
- Avoid intake of any grains on this day
- Take a bath in the evening and repeat the same process from the morning
- Visit any nearby Vishnu temple and participate in the special rituals
- Staunch devotees of Lord Vishnu do not sleep through the entire night of Vaikunta Ekadasi. They spend the night by chanting prayers or listening to stories of Lord Vishnu
- On the next day, Dwadashi (12th Waxing Moon), the fast is broken by offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
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