According to Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikunta Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year. However according to Vaishnava tradition fasting is mandatory on all Ekadashi of both Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered holier than any other religious observation.
Lord opened the gate of Vaikuntam (his abode) for two demons in spite of they being against the Lord. They also asked for the boon that who ever listens to their story and see the image of Lord coming out of the door (called Dwar) called Vaikunth Dwar they reach Vaikunth as well! Temples all over the India makes a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to pass through that.
According to Padma Purana, the female energy of Lord Vishnu slayed demon Muran and protects `Devas'. This happened on the eleventh day of lunar month during the sun's journey in the Dhanur rasi. Impressed by the act, Lord Vishnu names her as `Ekadashi' and gives her the boon that those who worship `Ekadashi' on the day of her victory over Muran would reach `Vaikunth' (His abode).
Vaikunta Ekadasi is one the important and auspicious days to the Hindus. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It occurs in the Hindu calendar, in the month of Margashirsha (Between December and January). Also called the 'Mukkoti Ekadasi', when observed, it bestows liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is mentioned in the 'Padma Purana'. As per the legend, the Devas unable to bear the tyranny of 'Muran', a demon, approached Lord Shiva, who directed them to Lord Vishnu. A battle ensued between Lord Vishnu and the demon and the Lord realised that a new weapon was needed to slay Muran.
In order to take rest and create a new weapon, the Lord retired to a cave called 'Himavati' in Badrikashrama. When Muran tried to slay the Lord, who was sleeping, the female energy that emerged from the Lord burnt him to ashes in one look.
Lord Vishnu who was pleased, named the female energy 'Ekadasi' and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadasi, instead beseeched the Lord that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins. The Lord thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshiped Ekadasi, would attain Vaikunta. Thus came into being the first Ekadasi, which was a Dhanurmasa sukla paksha ekadasi.
Fasting
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Vaikunta Ekadasi Fasting is an important aspect of those associated with it. People fast the whole day and keep vigil. Special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu and devotees engage in Japa (Chanting of the Lord's name) and Dhyana (Meditation). On 'Dasami', the previous day of the observance, devotees who take up Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting are to take only lunch. On Ekadasi, the next day, they have to maintain a complete fast and engage in prayers and meditation of the Lord. They are strictly prohibited from taking rice. That night, people keep vigil the whole night and visit the temple of Lord Vishnu, mostly in the wee hours of the morning.
On this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram or the Swarga Vaasal, 'The Gates of Heaven' are believed to be kept open. The area encircling the sanctum is referred to Swarga Vaasal and devotees throng to gain entry into the temple, to seek the Lord.
In SRIRANGAM
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The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is an occasion when the Paramapada Vaasal is opened for devotees. It begins from suklapaksha Ekadasi and celebrated for 23 days wherein Namperumal listens to the vedas and Nammazhvar'sThiruvaimozhi as rendered by the Araiyars. The festival is divided into two parts, ten days before and after the ekadasi of the bright waxing period of the month, which is "Vaikunta Ekadasi".
The first period of ten days is called Thirumozhi Thirunal or "pagal patthu"and the second period of ten days is called "Thiruvaimozhi Thirunal" or "rapathu".
During the Vaikunta Ekadasi day and the subsequent nine days, Lord Namperumal enters the Thirumamani Mandapam[paramapadam]through this door known as paramapada Vasaal[sorga vasaal]. It is one of the most auspicious days in all the Vishnu Temples. The Vaikunta Dwaram or the Gate to the Heaven is opened on this day. In Srirangam, this is the passage leading to the Thirumamani Mandapam, a replica of Sri Vaikuntam, the permanent abode of Lord Maha Vishnu. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikuntam in the temples in the belief that they would escape from the cycle of re-birth, if they step on the Paramapada Vasaal on the sacred day of Vaikunta Ekadasi. This helps us reach our ultimate destination, Vaikuntam, which is the place of no-return and thus the human soul is free from the ills of this world.
TIRUPATI
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Tirumala Venkateswara Temple also has a similar concept. Thirumala has a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwaram that encircles the sanctum sanctorum. The dwaram (passage) is opened only on Vaikunta Ekadashi and it is believed that any person who passes through this `Vaikunta Dwaram' on this particular day attains salvation.The temple witnesses heavy inflow of pilgrims and dignitaries for Vaikunta Ekadashi.
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