Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of the precious and sacred days in the Hindu tradition, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The word Ekadashi means the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight and Vaikuntha Ekadashi comes on the eleventh day of the bright half of the month of Margashirsha or Dhanu (December to January). On this day, devotees believe that the gates of Vaikuntha, the heavenly home of Lord Vishnu are opened for giving devotees a chance to reach Moksha (liberation).
The Padma Purana tells the story of Lord Vishnu defeating the demon Murasura on this day. It is said that those who observe the fast on this day are freed from sins. Devotees usually avoid eating grains, spend the whole day in prayer, chant Lord Vishnu’s names, read holy books like the Bhagavad Gita and take part in temple rituals.
In famous temples such as Tirupati and Srirangam, the Vaikuntha Dwaram, which is the holy gate is opened for the symbolizing entry into Vishnu’s eternal world. Special pujas, archana and prasadam are offered to the devotees, filling the temple with devotion, joy and celebration.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is more than a ritual in Hindu Purana. It is seen as a spiritual doorway and observing it with faith is believed to bring peace, purity and the blessing of liberation in one's life.
In the peaceful hills of Vasanthapura, Bengaluru, Located the Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple at ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill lies as a stunning replicated idol of Lord Venkateshwara in Tirupati. Built in traditional Dravidian style, the temple is beautifully carved out of stone, filled with divine grace and devotion.
This sacred idol was constructed to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada, the revered founder of ISKCON. Beyond its spiritual significance, the temple offers modern amenities to devotees visiting such as spacious parking, clean drinking water, prasadam counters, lifts and wheelchair access which makes it welcoming to all the devotees.
Today, the temple celebrates Vaikuntha Ekadashi with great divinity. Devotees gather for the darshana of the Lord, participate in kumkuma archana, witness the sacred Srinivasa Kalyanotsava and receive the blessings of prasadam. The festival fills the temple with devotion, music and happiness, creating an unforgettable spiritual experience for the devotees.
The Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple is more than a place of worship, it is a purity of love, tradition and divine experience, inviting everyone to step into a world of faith and peace.
