Sarva Vaikunta Mukkoti Ekadasi: 108 Mangalasasana Divya Desams

Vaikunta Ekadasi - One of the major festival celebrated in all Vishnu temples every year. The occasion would be on Wednesday, January 07, 2009. This is the most important and special Ekadasi among 24 Ekadasi in a year. Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on the eleventh day in Margazhi Shukla Paksha in Tamil Calendar. This Ekadasi is otherwise called as "Sarva Vaikunta Mukkoti Ekadasi", "Mokshada Ekadasi". On this occasion, a special event is performed in all Vishnu temples called as opening of "Vaikunta Dwara" (the door of heaven), especially in all 108 Divya Desams. In tamil, Vaikunta Dwara is called as "Sorga Vasal" or "Paramapatham Vasal".

In Madurai District alone, three Divya Desams are there viz., Koodal Azhagar Temple, Azhagar Temple, Thirumogur Temple. Special Abhisekams, Pujas and Aaradhanas would be performed to Lord Vishnu on this occasion. At Madurai Koodal Azhagar temple, the Vaikunta Dwara will be opened at 7.00 p.m. on this occasion. Similarly, at Sri Rangam temple, it will be opened at early morning 4.00 a.m. The main observance of this day is fasting (avoiding food made of rice) and chanting Narayana Mantra whole night without sleeping. It is believed that venerating Lord Vishnu on Vaikunta Ekadasi will help to free soul from cycles of rebirth and grant moksha.

Madurai Koodal Azhagar Perumal - Vaikunta Ekadasi Utsavam

108 Divya Desams: An overview

Sri Ramanujar, a great saint worshipped Lord Vishnu had established 106 temples for Lord Vishnu in the earth called as Divya Desams. Azhvaars composed the songs "Mangalasasanam" on the Lord and temples which are called as "Mangalasasana Divya Desams". Among 108 Divya Desams, 106 are in the earth and other two "Vyuham" (Thiruparkadal) and "Sri Vaikuntam (Thiru Paramapatham)" are out of this earth. The first divya desam is "Sri Rangam" and the last divya desam is "Tirumala Tirupati". Chant Narayana Mantra on Vaikunta Ekadasi and free from the birth cycles.

Om Sri Mathe Ramanujaya Namaha!
Om Namo Narayanaya Namaha!