Vaikunta Ekadasi 2023 is an important religious festival celebrated by Hindus around the world. It is a day of spiritual renewal and reflection, and is observed on the 11th day of the fortnight in the Hindu month of Margazhi (December–January) as per Tamil Calendar and in Dhanurmasam as per Telugu Calendar. On this day, Hindus visit temples and perform various rituals and traditions to honor the Lord Vishnu, who is said to open the gates of heaven for all his devotees.
The date of Vaikunta Ekadasi 2023 is January 2, 2023.
Vaikunta Ekadasi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi, Swargavathil Ekadasi, and Param Ekadasi. According to Drik Panchang :
Many temples across India celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi with great fervour. Some of the most popular temples include the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, the Shri Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, Bhadrachalam Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple and the Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu. All 108 Divya Desam temples celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi, with special prayers, offerings, and rituals.
In Vishnu temples, the Vaikunta Dwaram is opened on this day, allowing devotees to pass through it as a symbolic gesture of entering the Vaikunta – abode of Vishnu. On Vaikunta Ekadasi, devotees follow various rituals and one among them is fasting from sunrise to the next day sunrise. This is done to gain the blessings of Maha Vishnu. Additionally, attending special prayers, offering pujas, and performing charitable acts is also part of the celebrations.
TL;DR
– Vaikunta Ekadasi is a Hindu festival celebrated to honor Bhagawan Vishnu
– All 108 Divya Desam temples celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi, with special prayers, offerings, and rituals
– On this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram is opened in Vishnu Temples
– Fasting is also part of the celebration in order to receive the blessings of Maha Vishnu
– Other important rituals include attending special prayers, offering special pujas, and performing charitable acts
– Rice is avoided during ekadasi days as it is believed that the demon Mura finds a dwelling in the rice eaten on Ekadasi day.
– According to the PurAnas, the personification of all sins, known as the papa purusha, resides within grains like rice on Ekadasi Tithis. As a result, all grains, including rice, are prohibited on this day.
