Vaikunta Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Mukkoti Ekadashi, Mokshada Ekadashi, Moksha Ekadashi
What is Vaikunta Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi is one of the most auspicious days for the devotees of Lord Vishnu. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with great devotion to seek his blessings.
When is Vaikunta Ekadasi
Viakunta Ekadasi is the Ekadasi of the Sukla Paksha of the Margasira month of the lunar calendar or the eleventh day of the bright fort night or the waxing phase of the moon of the month of Margasira as per the lunar Calendar. The Margasira month is for lunar calendar and for the Tamil Calendar it is the Margazhi month.
Other Popular Names of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Viakunta Ekadashi or Vaikuntha Ekadasi is also known as Mokshada Ekadasi or Moksha Ekadashi.
Viakuntha Ekadashi is also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi.
In Kerala Vaikunta Ekadashi is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadasi.
Reason for calling Margasira Sukla Paksha Ekadasi as Viakunta Ekadasi :
Vaikunta is the abode of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the door of the inner sanctum of Vaikuntam is opened on this day and hence the Margasira Ekadasi is known as Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Reason for calling Vaikunta Ekadasi as Mokshada Ekadasi or Moksha Ekadasi
Mokshada or Moksha is nothing but Salvation. It means that a person whoever attains a Moksha will not be trapped in the circle of rebirth.Devotees who would observe the Ekadasi Vrat on Vaikunta Ekadasi are believed to gain a virtue that would help them to get Moksha or Slavation. Hence Vaikunta Ekadasi is known as Mokshada Ekadasi or Moksha Ekadasi.
Reason for calling Vaikunta Ekadasi as Mukkoti Ekadasi
It is believed that by worshipping lord Vishnu on Vaikunta Ekadasi is equivalent to worshipping all the 3 crore Gods (Mukkoti means 3 crore) and hence the name Mukkoti Ekadasi.
Rituals on Vaikunta Ekadasi
Devotees observe the Ekadasi Vrat to please Lord Vishnu on Ekadasi. Devotees would get up early in the morning take a head bath. After which worshipping of Lord Vishnu is done and a vow to observe the Ekadasi Vrat will be taken.
The process for observing the Ekadasi Vrat can be read at “Ekadashi Vrat Vidhanam”.
Do’s and Don’ts on Vaikunta Ekadasi
1) Devotees should observe restrain while speaking and should avoid speaking to people who do not observe their religious duties, thieves etc.
2) Using of Vulgar language and hurting others with words is prohibited.
3) Should keep his mind chanting the name of Lord Vishnu. Try to concentrate on the Lord Vishnu rather than on worldly things.
4) Should not sleep during the day time on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
5) Should abstain from sex on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
6) Should observe a fast on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
7) Should stay awake the whole night singing glories of Lord Vishnu or chanting the name of Lord Vishnu.
Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi is the greatest among all the Ekadasi’s of the year. It is believed that by observing the Ekadasi Vrat on Vaikunta Ekadasi one would get the virtue equivalent to that of observing the Ekadasi Vrat on all the remaining 23 Ekadasi’s.
On Vaikunta Ekadasi, devotees would throng the temples of Lord Vishnu to see the Lord through the Vaikunta Dwara or the Vaikunta Door. The darshan of the Lord or devotees can see the Lord Vishnu through this door only on the Vaikunta Ekadasi. The Vaikunta Dwaram is also known as the Uttara Dwaram and the darshan is known as Uttara Dwara Darshan or the seeing the Lord Vishnu from the North door.
Seeing the Lord through Vaikunta Dwaram would help the devotee get rid of all his sins.
Benefits of observing the Vaikunta Ekadasi Vrat
As stated above, by observing the Vaikunta Ekadasi Vrat there would be no rebirth and would stay in the abode of Lord Vishnu i.e Vaikuntam forever,which is also known as Moksha or Salvation.Salvation is the ultimate boon for which all the people, sages and other try to achieve through the human body that they have acquired as a result of their previous birth virtues.
Vaikunta Ekadasi Vrat Katha can be read at “Vaikunta Ekadasi Vrat Katha“.
