Mukkoti Ekadashi

Mukkoti Ekadasi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is popularly known as Vaikunta Ekadashi in South India. Mukkoti Ekadashi is celebrated during Dhanur Masam on the day of either Pushya or Margasira shuddha Ekadasi (December – January) as per Telugu Calendar and is a major event in Bhadrachalam Temple in Andhra Pradesh. The famous Teppotsavam ritual takes place at Bhadrachalam during the period. In 2009, the date of Mukkoti Ekadasi is December 28. Teppotsavam, the float festival, is on December 27 at Bhadrachalam Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Temple.

The main event on Mukkoti Ekadasi is the Vaikutha Dwara Darshanam – the ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven’ is opened on this day in Lord Vishnu Temples in South India. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord Vishnu Temple. Thousands of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta on this day.

Vishnu devotees also fast on the day and keep vigil all night. They avoid all sort of food made of rice.

Mukkoti Ekadasi is of great importance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple. In Kerala, the festival is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi.

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