Vaikunta Ekadasi.. What does this mean? It is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu and celebrated predominantly in South India. It is celebrated with pomp and grandeur at Tirupathi, Srirangam and the various Vishnu Temples. The story behind this is that Lord Vishnu took the form of a female energy "Ekadasi" to kill demon Muran. Impressed by her, He said that whoever worships Him this day will reach Heaven. So in every temple, the door called "Vaikunta Dwara" opens and people pass through it the early hours of the morning with prayers to the Lord. Some people fast the whole day and then eat early the next day morning.. Nellikai(Gooseberry) Kichadi is an important part of the menu on Dvadasi(next day). Generally people make food without tamarind.
I did fast the whole day on Ekadasi this time, I started with eating just once the previous day and fasting the whole day on ekadasi and then completed the fasting on Dvadasi day by taking Tulasi Theertham.(water) Surprisingly, I didnt feel hungry the whole day..I assume the body gets used to it as the time passes. It was nice to read lots of slokas and Vishnu Sahasranamam. I decorated the Lord too and it was a memorable experience.
I also saw a youtube video and in that a person from Singapore had decorated the home deity with so much grandeur and love that it rivalled the temples.. Here's the link for that website..http://thiruman.com/. Its so nice to see such devoted souls.
It reminds me of the time I used to decorate and deck up Lord Krishna's idol at the hostel prayer hall. I miss doing that now.. I have been searching for an idol of Krishna which looks so lovely like that, but am unable to get that..I sure do hope that I am able to get that some day..
Signing off for now
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