Vaikuntha Ekadashi Celebration at ISKCON Bangalore

Bangalore, India, December 18, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Jan 01, 2015) is one of the major festivals celebrated in the temples of South India. This festival commemorates the moksha of Sri Nammalwar, a great devotee of the Lord in the Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya, a devotional line which is originated by Goddess Lakshmi Herself. It is believed that on this day, Sri Nammalwar attained moksha (reached the pinnacle of devotional service i.e., the abode of Lord Vishnu – The Vaikuntha). Devotees also believe that every day the devatas offer their prayers to Lord Vishnu on the doors of Vaikuntha. Since one day of devatas is calculated to be equivalent to one year of human beings, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is celebrated once a year.

Temples erect a special door on their north entrance which is called as Vaikuntha Dwara. Generally the utsavar of the temple Deities are seated on this door as the presiding Deities of the Vaikuntha Dwara. Devotees believe that passing through this door, guarantees them moksha.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations at ISKCON Bangalore is one of the largest celebrations, the others being Tirupati, Sri Rangam and Bhadrachalam. Thousands and Thousands of devotees throng temple from 6 am onwards to have glimpse of Sri Srinivasa Govinda and pass through the beautiful and ornate Vaikuntha Dwara.

The festival celebrations begin in the morning, from 3:30 am onwards with Suprabhata Seva to Sri Srinivasa Govinda, followed by an elaborate and grand Panchamrita and panchagavya abhisheka to the Deity. The Deity also receives ceremonial bath from herbal water, sacred water and fragrant flowers. A grand arati with multiple artistic lamps is offered to the Lord after the abhisheka.

The utsavar Deity of the temple is taken in a procession around the Rajgopura (the main gopura of the temple) and then adorned on the Vaikuntha Dwara. Then follows the grand opening of the Vaikuntha Dwara at 7 am which is memorable sight to behold; one can only experience such divinity.

Temple remains open throughout the day with devotees continuously thronging for darshan of the Deity and passing through the Vaikuntha Dwara. ISKCON Bangalore is well equipped with the amenities like drinking water, hygienic toilets, and well-maintained Q systems to receive the pilgrims. Best time to visit the temple is during the afternoon or in the early morning hours before 10 am in order to have wonderful darshan.

Kalyanotsava, the sacred marriage of Sri Krishna with His consorts Satyabhama and Rukmini is performed as part of the celebrations.

Another such celebration is Laksharchana. 14 devotees continuously chant 108 names of Krishna from morning till night. Devotees take a vow to chant more than 1 lakh names of the Lord for the world peace and prosperity. This year ISKCON Bangalore has announced that Laksharchana will also be performed specifically in the name of devotees free of cost. This is for the first time that such facility has been offered to devotees on such an auspicious occasion. Devotees can give the names of their family members, relatives, etc in whose names they wish the puja to be performed at the link: www.iskconbangalore.org/online-puja. Once submitted, devotees shall receive acknowledgement e-Mail to confirm their submission. They request devotees to utilize this opportunity and receive the blessings of Sri Srinivasa Govinda.