HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012.
Vaikunta Ekadashi falls in the month December-January. This year it falls on January 4th or 5th 2012. This is observed with all solemnity in the temples of Lord Vishnu. Please check your local calendars to see if it falls on 4th or 5th 2012.
Vaikunta Ekadashi is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, and also all Balaji temples. They prepare what is called a “Swargada Bagilu” also called as ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the heaven‘ This gate is opened on this day. This is the passage encircling the innermost sanctum of the Lord. Scores of devotees queue up to pass through the Gate of Vaikunta in the temples.
Orthodox Madhwa people in South India observe complete fasting on ordinary Ekadashi day.
For the devotees of Lord Vishnu, every Ekadashi is a very sacred day No rice should be eaten on Ekadashi days. This is very important.
Those who are unable to fast completely can take some light fruit and milk. So you may ask why we shouldn’t eat rice, so here comes the story for the same.
The sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma assumed the form of a demon and said to the Lord, “O Lord! now give me an abode to dwell.” Brahma replied, “O demon! go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach.” For this reason rice is prohibited on Ekadashi.
If you don’t believe in this story, just think of all the benefits you can get from fasting.
Fasting makes a man strong, both spiritually and mentally.Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions. It controls the senses also. It is good to fast once in a while as it recuperates the body. Ekadashi observance cleans our body and the digestive organs get much needed rest.
Those people suffering from ailments and on medications should take the advice of a doctor before fasting. Never torture your body in the name of religion. There is nothing wrong in having fruits or milk. And you can bring a certain amount of flexibility in the way it is observed.
Posted by Usha Nayak on December 31, 2011 at 11:53 am
This is a very informative post, thank you so much. Happy New Year to you too, Meera!
Posted by meeraghu on December 31, 2011 at 11:57 am
Happy New Year 2012, Usha.
Posted by ARUN on January 5, 2012 at 4:50 am
WISH U THE SAME.. ARUN
Posted by DR. CVc on December 31, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Scientifically also, on the day of Ekadashi (There is definite relative position of earth with moon – controller of mind and thoughts, eating rice give rise to disturbance in the digestive system
Posted by Srinivasa on January 1, 2012 at 9:53 am
Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2012
Posted by Viswanath S on January 2, 2012 at 4:26 am
Wish you a very happy new year 2012.
Why is that Vaikunt Ekadashi is on 4th or 5th? Could you please tell me the exact day instead of being ambiguous.
Posted by meeraghu on January 2, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Viswanath,
each and every matha in our Madhwa community celebrates Ekadashi based on their dates. In Uttaradhi Mattha it is celebrated on 5th. However, Raraya Matha, Puttige Matha and others are performing the same on 4th.
Posted by Venkat on January 3, 2012 at 3:53 am
Another reason for observing Ekadasi is as a practice. Our next life depends on what we remember before we leave our body. If you remember your family/relatives, you will be reborn in the same family; may be in the next generation. If you remember Lord Narayana, you will be given Moksha. So if you try to remember god with fasting, you are reharsing, the physical and mental state you will be, near the end of your life. Most of the time you will not be given food and you will be weak on your death bed. It becomes really hard to concentrate on God. By observing Ekadasi fasting you are essentially preparing yourself.
Posted by Bharath M R on January 3, 2012 at 5:52 am
Hey Meera,
Thanks for the useful information.
This is the first time where i had interest to know about Vaikunda Ekadasi.
Hope i will try to be on fast and go to any Perumal temple on that day morning.
Just a small clarification,If i celebrate on 5th jan 2012,then i should be on fast on 5th from morning till night or from 4th morning till 5th morning?
Can you clarify the same.
Thanks,
bharath
Posted by meeraghu on January 3, 2012 at 8:46 am
5th morning until night. Have food on 6th morning.
Posted by KARTHIK BALRAM RAO on January 3, 2012 at 6:59 am
HI. i’m looking for a song by shri purandara dasa that is sung daily during pooja. the lyrics go something like this ” shri madhwa matada sidhanta bidabye re bidabya bittu kedabya “..the total song is around 4 or 5 paragraphs i think. if you can provide the lyrics of the song and the name of the song, it would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by meeraghu on January 3, 2012 at 8:46 am
Let me check.
Posted by Ram on January 3, 2012 at 12:15 pm
According to the Panchangam Ekadasi time begins on 04 January 2012 at 06:14 and ends on 05 January 2012 at 08:37. I don’t know what to do, any help appreciated, please, please.
Jay Panduranga.
Posted by meeraghu on January 3, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Just fast.
Posted by Venkat on January 3, 2012 at 10:55 pm
What timezone is this for?
Posted by meeraghu on January 4, 2012 at 8:13 am
US and India.
Posted by priya on January 3, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Hare Srinivasa. Can you please tell me when is Vaikuntha ekadashi according to US timings. 4th or 5th?
Posted by meeraghu on January 4, 2012 at 8:13 am
Depends on which Matha you follow. SSVT temple and Krishna Vrindavana has it on 4th. However, we are doing it on 5th.
Posted by Menaka on January 5, 2012 at 7:59 am
Thank you Meera.
Also, Please let me know at what time on 6th can I end the
fasting and what is that I am supposed to eat.
Posted by Menaka on January 4, 2012 at 6:50 am
If I have to keep awake, should it be on 4th night to 5th morning or
5th night to 6th morning?
Posted by meeraghu on January 4, 2012 at 8:11 am
There is no need to stay awake, Menaka.
Posted by Menaka on January 5, 2012 at 8:01 am
Thank you Meera.
Also, please let me know, at what I should end fasting on 6th.
What is one supposed to eat after one ends fasting.
Posted by meeraghu on January 5, 2012 at 8:40 am
Menaka,
Fasting is ended early on 6th morning. A full meal is prepared like Rice, rasam, payasa, chitranna, and so on. No food with onion and garlic. Hope this helps.
Posted by Preeti on January 4, 2012 at 11:56 am
Thank you so much for the detailed information on ekadashi. Wish you & your family a Happy New Year !!!
Posted by Kanchi N. Gandhi on January 4, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Besides getting all the benefits one can get from fasting, I mention the following in the in my botany class: grains, millets, and seeds contain plant embryos (needed for the next generation), whereas fruit pulps do not contain any embryo. I also mention that either knowingly or unknowingly the Hindus avoid eating plant embryos at least once a month.
Posted by vidyavenugopal puttaparti on January 4, 2012 at 8:08 pm
thank you so much for a very useful information wish you all a very happy new year
Posted by Usha on January 5, 2012 at 3:36 am
Thanks for the information.
Adding more to the benefits of fast, it is believed that the cosmic energy that enters the human body is more on some special days like Karhika purnima, Vaikunta ekadashi, etc. The food that we take on these days obstructs this energy decreasing its intake. Hence it is good to fast on these days, also besides fast it is good to be calm and pleasant specially on these days thereby opening many ways for the energy.
I heard this from a friend of mine.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Posted by anandsp1 on January 9, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Good post once again. Thanks! For Madhwas, every ekadashi is same and we need to do complete fasting as said in our Acharya’s Sri Krishnamrutha Maharnava on all Ekadasi days. This grantha is the last word on Ekadasi as Madhwaru has dedicated around 60+ shlokas on Ekadasi mahime and its significance.
And one thing is sure, we need to account for each and every grain of food taken on ekadasi days in the court of Yama Dharma Raja later on. Those who take anything on this sacred Haridina will not be spared.