What is Ekadashi?
Ekadashi is one of the thithis of the Hindu calendar and is a Sanskrit word meaning the ‘Eleventh’; it is named such as it is the eleventh lunar day of each of the two lunar phases that occurs in a Vedic calendar month. The timing of Ekadashi depends on the position of the Moon.
Normally, 24 Ekādaśīs occur in a calendar year. Sometimes in a Leap year, there might be two extra Ekādaśīs that happen in a leap year.
The Story behind vaikunta Ekadashi
According to one legend, there was a demon called Mura who was powerful and ruthless towards the Devas. He troubled them frequently and caused great misery. Unable to bear Demon Mura’s onslaught, the Devas approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu, promised to save the Devas and a war ensued between him and Mura, the demon. The war proceeded for long period of time without any end in sight. Lord Vishnu realized that only a new weapon could kill Mura. He immediately went inside a cave at Bhadrikashrama where Goddess Haimavati resided and created a new weapon to kill the demon Muran. Overcome with tiredness, Lord Vishnu decided to take some rest. When the demon Mura came to know about this he tried to slay the sleeping Vishnu.
At that time a Sakthi (power) emerged in a female form from Vishnu’s body and burnt Demon Muran to ashes. Vishnu woke up and named the her Ekadasi and promised her a boon. And Ekadashi devi asked the boon that every year the day she emerged has to be celebrated as Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Significance of the Vaikunta (Mukkoti) Ekadasi
Of all the Ekadashi thithis of a year, the Vaikuntha Ekadashi thithi is very significant. It is also known as Mukkoti Ekadashi.
- It is believed that the doors of heaven are open on this day, and irrespective of their sins, Lord Maha Vishnu bestows his blessings upon everyone on this day.
- Observing fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi liberates from the cycle of birth and death.
- According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to observing fast on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) calendar.
- Fasting, Meditating, chanting Maha Vishnu’s names, indulging in dharmic activities and staying awake on Mukkoti Ekadashi are considered very auspicious.
- Nammazhwar, a prominent Vaishnava Saint and the greatest of the twelve Azhwars, attained Moksha on Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
- Staying awake on this day will boost your Kundalini energy.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi dates in 2022 and Parana Time
Jan 13 2022 Thursday
Sunrise: Jan 13, 2022 7:14 AM
Sunset: Jan 13, 2022 5:56 PM
Dwadashi End Moment: Jan 14, 2022 10:19 PM
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: Jan 12, 2022, 4:49 PM
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: Jan 13, 2022, 7:33 PM
Hari Vasara End Moment : Jan 14 2022, 2:14 AM
Parana Time : Jan 14, 2022, 7:14 AM – Jan 14, 2022, 9:23 AM
Mukkoti Ekadashi
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadashi. The Hindu texts record that all the thirty-three million devas worship and have the darshan of Lord Maha Vishnu on this day.
Things you must do on Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Hindu Scriptures have laid down the promising practices to be followed during the Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Following the below practices will help to receive the fulsome blessings of Lord Vishnu on this momentous day.
Chanting Vishnu Names and Mantras:
Lord Vishnu is called by several names like Madhava, Kesava, Damodara, Rama, Krishna, and many more. You can chant these names as each of these names have unique significance and meaning. The Vishnu Sahasranama is a popular text containing 1000 names of Maha Vishnu. Chanting Vishnu Sahasranama on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a widely followed practice by several devotees.
Reading the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Puran, and Srimad Bhagavad:
Amongst the sacred texts belonging to Lord Vishnu, Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Puran, and Srimad Bhagavad occupy a very important place. Bhagavad Gita is a part of the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharatha. It is consists of the conversion that happened between Lord Krishna and Arjun on the battlefield. Vishnu Puran, containing the stories of the avatars of Lord Vishnu and his devotees, is one of the 18 primary Puranas. Srimad Bhagavad is another sacred text of great importance; it predominantly has the life history of Lord Krishna, an important avatar of Vishnu. Reading these three texts or at least any of these three on Vaikuntha Ekadashi will please Lord Vishnu.
Go to a Vishnu Temple:
Temples are sacred powerspots that radiate divine energy. India has several temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his avatars. Many of these temples were built many centuries before and prove to be a spiritual dynamo. If possible, you can visit any of the old, sacred Vishnu temples or else at least a newly built Vishnu temple on this day. Some of the very important Vishnu temples are Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Sri Rangam Rangathaswamy temple, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple, Madurai Kallazhagar temple, Puri Jagannath temple, Pandharpur Vittobha temple, Badrinath temple, Guruvayur Krishna temple, Thiruvananthapuram Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple, Chennai Parthasarathy temple, and much more.
Fasting:
Fasting is a popular Hindu custom and cleanses your body, mind, and soul. Fasting is done in several ways, as listed below.
- Skipping food and water for the whole day
- Skipping only food for a whole day
- Skipping only a single meal
- Avoiding cooked foods and eating only fruits or
- Taking only Milk and Tulsi Water.
Fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is very significant; it is believed that fasting on Vaikunta Ekadasi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis in the Hindu Calendar. You can choose any way of fasting depending on your health.
Remaining Awake:
Like Maha Shivaratri, staying awake during Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also a generally followed practice. A devotee can connect with the divine vibes of Lord Vishnu by staying awake on this day. While staying awake, the devotees sing divine hymns, read stories of Lord Vishnu and play the Snake and Ladder game.
Performing rituals:
Garland the portrait of Lord Maha Vishnu and light a diya and dhoop. If you have a statue of Lord Vishnu, you can perform abhiseka (hydration) using milk, curd, rose water, sandal paste, and fruit juice. You may place milk, fruits, sweets, and sattvic food as an offering for the Lord.
Pillai Center is organising special events to mark the Ekadashi Powertime. Please check to know more about the event schedule and other details.
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