On the occasion of 'Vaikunta Ekadasi', devotees thronged the Lord Ranganathaswamy temple.
Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Lord Ranganathaswamy temple in nearby Srirangam on the occasion of 'Vaikunta Ekadasi' festival which was celebrated with religious fervour today. Vaikuntha Ekadashi, known as
Mukkoti Ekadasi, is one of the most important
Ekadasis.
Ekadasis falls on the eleventh day of the Moon cycle.
The most important ritual in temples is the opening of the
Vaikunta Dwaram or
Paramapada Vasal door in Vishnu Temples. During the
Ekadasi day one is expected to fast and take nothing. At night, light snack made of rice is taken. Fasting on
Ekadashi is considered holier than any other religious observation.
Adorned with glittering pearls and diamonds, the
utsava idol of
Namperumal was brought out of the sanctum sanctorum at around 3:45 am and later taken through the 'Paramapada Vaasal', the celestial gateway to heaven.
Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country, including from neighbouring Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, thronged the temple, considered as the foremost among the 108 sacred
Vaishnavite shrines, on the occasion and offered worship.
More than 4,000 police personnel were deployed for managing the crowd on this auspicious day.
The idol of presiding deity Lord Ranganathaswamy seen in a sleeping posture atop the hooded serpent was decorated in 'Muthangi Sevai' (pearl dress).
The
Vaikunta Ekadasi festival was conducted in
Vaishnavite temples across the state. According to
Padma Purana, the female energy of Vishnu slayed the demon
Muran and protected the 'Devas'. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month. Impressed by this,
Vishnu names her as 'Ekadashi' and gives her the boon that those who worship her on the day of her victory over
Muran would reach 'Vaikunth' (His abode).
(with inputs from PTI)