Vaikuntha Ekadashi is an important festival celebrated every year. Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the fortnight of the waxing or waning moon and occurs twice a month. But the Ekadashi that occurs in the month of Margashirsha (December – January) during the fortnight of the waxing moon is of special significance and is glorified as Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
On this day, the gates of Vaikuntha (the Lord’s abode) open to His ardent devotees. This is a major festival of South India celebrated in all the temples of Lord Vishnu.
Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe Ekadashi Vrata and remember the Supreme Lord by chanting His Holy Names and singing His glories. Nammalwar, a great devotee in the Sri Sampradaya (the disciplic succession descending from Lakshmi Devi), went back to Godhead on this day. The Vaikuntha Dwara (a special entrance to Vaikuntha) is opened once a year on this particular day in all Vishnu temples to commemorate this event. It is believed that anyone who enters the Vaikuntha Dwara on this day is guaranteed to attain the Vaikuntha, the spiritual abode.
Things you could do to please the Lord on the auspicious occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi:
1. Visit your nearest Vishnu or Krishna temple and seek the Lord’s blessings.
2. Chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra as much as possible.
3. Read the Bhagavad Gita and associate with the Lord through His divine instructions.
4. Observe the Ekadashi fast and distribute prasadam.
5. Click here to offer seva to the Lord.
Join us in the festivities at the Vaikuntha Hill & Hare Krishna Hill temples and obtain unlimited blessings from Srinivasa Govinda.
Darshan Timings
ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple, Rajajinagar – 8 AM to 10 PM
ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura – 5:30 AM to 10 PM
Devotees can also participate in the celebrations online
Offer your seva and be blessed with the divine grace of Lord Venkateshwara. You will also receive prasadam from the temple at your home.
Related Links: Five things to do on Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Why do we celebrate Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Why Vaikuntha series