A complete Guide to Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vaikunta Ekadasi

What is Ekadasi?
Ekadasi means 'the eleventh' in Sanskrit and refers to the eleventh day of a fortnight belonging to a lunar month.Ekadasi is the eleventh day in both the halves of the lunar month - Sukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Approximately, there will be as many as 24 Ekadasis in a year. The Ekadasi in Mrugasira Sukla Paksh is known as Vaikunta Ekadasi.During this month, Sun transits through Dhannus Rasi.

Legends:
Legends considers Vaikunta Ekadasi to be the day on which the doors of Vaikuntha (heaven) will be kept open for all the saintly souls.

According to the Vishnu Purana, observing the Ekadasi Vrata (or fast) on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day confers the benefit equivalent to observing all the other eleven Ekadasis during the year.

According to the Padma Purana, during the Krita Yuga, an asura named Muran harassed both the devas. Unable to bear his tyranny, the devas sought refuge in Shiva. He directed them to approach Vishnu. Vishnu agreed to help the devas and went out to battle with Muran. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badarikashrama to sleep. Muran wanted to strike Vishnu while he was sleeping. However, Shakti – Vishnu’s female energy – emerged out of his body and assumed the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Muran and vanquished him.

When Vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named her as Ekadasi and granted her a boon. The maiden said, “O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins if they fast of this day”. Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikuntha.

How to observe Vaikunda Ekadashi fasting ?

Things needed for Puja and Prayer

A photo or idol of Lord Vishnu
Fruits
Tulsi leaves
Betel leaves (optional)
Betel nuts (optional)
Yellow bananas
Unbroken coconut (optional)

Procedures

Wake up early in the morning. Take bath and offer prayers.
You can just light the lamp and prayer or meditate for few minutes but the only difference is that today it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
You can perform a simple puja to Lord Vishnu at home by offering fruits and Tulsi leaves.
If there is a Vishnu temple nearby visit the temple and witness morning pujas and rituals.
Complete fast or upavasam on the day is the main observance.

Fasting

Fasting for 24 hours. It is believed that a partial or total abstinence from food.

Do not eat food made from rice on Ekadashi.

For people who partialy observe abstinence from food .What can be eaten on Ekadashi?

Do not eat food made from rice on Ekadashi.It is believed that demon Mura found a dwelling place in the rice and Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Ekadasi to annihilate Mura. Therefore devotees who fast on the Ekadashi day avoid food made from grains.

Drink lots of water and eat fresh and dried fruits.

Evening Prayers

Take a bath in the evening.
Repeat the morning puja to Vishnu
Visit Vishnu temple and witness the evening puja and rituals.

Prayers for Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vishnu Sahasranamam
Vishnu Ashotharam
Or Simple Chanting of – Om Namo Narayana

Night-No Sleep

Staunch devotees who observe Vaikunta Ekadasi fasting do not sleep on the day.

Next Day Morning

The fast is broken on the next day (Dwadashi) after taking bath. Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a lamp and then you can break the fast.

* Note since we had 2 Vaikunta Ekadasi in the Year 2009 , there will be no Vaikunta Ekadasi in the year 2010.