Sri Ranganathar temple, Srirangam, ''Vaikuntha Ekadashi" 2025: Highlights Unbroken Age old Rituals and Customs

Sri Ranganathar Temple,Srirangam
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Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam
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The Tamil month of Margazhi is an auspicious one for the Hindus, particularly, in South India. Among the temple festivals of this month, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a popular one. and is celebrated in all Vishnu temples across south India. In Tamil Nadu, at Srirangam town close to Trichy city, at Sri Ranganathar temple, it is a long- drawn and colorful festival. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is actually the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi that comes during the Dhanu/Margazhi month of the Hindu calendar (late December - early January ). Associated with Vaishnava sambrathayam, Vaishnavites believe ‘the gate to the Lord's inner Sanctum/ Garbhagriha’ is opened on this day. This Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi (according to Lunar calendar) is also referred to as 'Mokshada Ekadashi.' - giver of salvation (no birth- death cycle). The Hindu tradition has it that during this long festival there will be several centuries-old religious activities and rituals held all for the benefits of the people. Common features are special pujas, yagnas, religious discourses accompanied by music, etc. A foremost Divya Desam shrine it is busy round the year with more than 400 temple festivals celebrated.

Srirangam temple astropuja.com

Closed Paramapada vasal, sri Ranganathar temple, divyadesam.com

Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations at Sri Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam are quite popular; there will be festivities all through 22 days divided into two halves, each lasting 10 days . First half being Pagal Pathu - morning first ten days before Vaikunta Ekadasi and the other one is Erapathu.. During the twenty one days period Thiruvaimozhi (One Thousand devotional hymns composed by Nammazhwar) and Nalayira Divya Prabandham composed by various Azhwar saints are recited with Passion and devotion by Pundits (Ariyars).

Srirangam Paramapada vasal, astropuja.com

God Vishnu emerging thru Swarga Vaasal,
Srirangam, knramesh - blogger

Normally, the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival begins with the recitation of Thirumangai Azhwar' s pasurams‘ ‘Thirunedunthandakam'. The main venue of the temple premises is the Arjuna Mandapam and every day during festivities, Namperumal is ceremoniously brought to the Mandapam in Simha gait (Lion Walk). So are the idols of Azhwars and Acharyas from their respective sannidhis/shrines. The Arjuna Mandapam has a shrine of Thulukka Nachiyar (a Muslim princess, a devotee of Sri Vishnu) from where betel leaves and nuts are sent to the Lord.

Araiyar Sevai, Srirangam temple. arangham.com

Above image: Centuries-old Tamil performing art form, involving ritual singing and enactment of the hymns of the Divya Prabandham. Araiyar sevai is generally performed only inside Sri Vishnu temples before the temple utsavar (processional deity). It is done only by hereditary performers. Once it was a common practice during the Vaikuntha Ekadashi at countless temples, now is held at the shrine of Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple, the shrine of Alvar Tirunagari and the temple of Andal at Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu. Araiyar sevai is an important part of pagal pathu and Erapathu events during the annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, Srirangam. But this centuries old ritualitic art form is slowly on the decline...........

Among interesting and traditional rituals associated with Ekadasi at this temple, the Araiyar Sevai is an inspiring one, bringing out the essence of devotion. Bhakti and Saranagathi (utter surrender to the lotus feet of the lord). It is done by hereditary Araiyars who chant hymns during morning for ten days (Pagal Paththu) before the decorated Urchavar idol. Each day the Emperumal idol will have special, eye-catching alangaram (decoration). On the 10th day, the lord blesses the devotees in Mohini Avataram wearing fine ornaments and white silk. This Alankaram draws thousands of devotees to see the lord to get blessed on this annual event.

On Ekadasi day, in the early morning, around 3 to 4 am Utsavar Namperumal will bless the devotees in an armor of diamonds (Ratnangi) after emerging from the sanctum/garbhagriha. Adorned with the Pandian Kondai and a garland containing tiny parrots, the lord has a dazzling appearance. Soon the Arya Bhatal doors are closed and the Araiyars begin to recite the first verse of Nammazhwar Thiruvaimozhi.

From the sanctum Urchavar idol (processional) idol is carried on the Pradakshina path (clock-wise) called Rajamahendran circle amidst the recitation of holy verses of Pillai Perumal Iyengar. Now, the most important event is to take place that is as soon as the Namperumal procession reaches the Paramapada Vasal (gate to the God's abode) and its doors are flung open.

Now Sri Vishnu emerges through the gate in a decorated palanquin blessing a select group of devotees and the common people for their health, wealth and peace of mind. This gate (to the Heaven) is opened once in a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day and rest of the year is closed. The belief has been that whoever goes through the Paramapada Vasal will reach vaikuntam (get salvation). Observing a rigorous fasting on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day is a must for all devotees and it is equal to fasting on other 23 Ekadashis falling throughout the year.

Srirangam temple Nammazhwar Moksham
britaintamil.com

According to Padma Purana, it was the female energy of God Vishnu who saved the lord by slaying demon Muran and protected the 'Devas'. As this incident took place on the eleventh day of lunar month during the Sun's journey in the Dhanu Rash, Sri Vishnu, as a token of his appreciation, named her as 'Ekadashi' and gave her the the boon '' that those who worship 'Ekadashi' on the day of her victory over Muran (the evil force) would reach 'Vaikuntam' (His abode; meaning ''Salvation'').
Later, the devotees are allowed to go inside the temple to pray to the Moolavar and then come out through the Paramapada Vasal (the northern gate) and pray to the Urchavar idol. It is just one way walk across the gate. At many Vishnu Temples across India, the temple administrators make a door kind of structure (depicting Paramapada Vasal ) on this Ekadashi day for devotees to walk through.
The lord is then taken to the Thirumana Mandapam, just the way he was blessing the devotees in the Arjuna Mandapam for ten days. And from now on he will be in this Mandapa at night (erapathu) and listen to the chanting of Thiruvaimozhi along with Azhwars and Acharyas. This is the reason why he is called Kaveri theera rasika!

Yet another feature is during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festivities - 20 -22 days, Moolavar Ranganathar (main deity) in the garbhagriha is nicely decorated with an armor of expensive pearls - 'Muthangi' People throng the temple to receive blessings from Azhagiya Manavalan ( the charismatic Bridegroom whose aura is all-pervading. If you stand before him in supplication in all your humility he will never fail you and help you go past the Maya around you.

At Srirangam the Ekadashi festivities follow the following schedule

Today being December 29, 2025, Namperumal will be taken out in procession in Nachiyar Thirukolam, the divine form of the Goddess. The Vaikunta Ekadasi grand festival will conclude on January 9, 2026, with the Moksham of Nammalvar

At Srirangam temple Vaikunta Ekadashi is on December 30, 2025 (Tuesday.Moolavar Sri Ranganatha Swamy will bless devotees in Muthangi Sevai & Utsavar Sri Namperumal will bless devotees in Ratnangi Sevai on Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Paramapada Vasal be open from early morning 5.45 am to Night 10 pm on Vaikunta Ekadasi. Sri Namperumal in Rathnangi purappadu from Moolasthanam at 4.30 am IST (Dhanur Lagnam).

In Srirangam, Sorgavasal will be open for total nine days during rapathu Utsavam except on 6th January, 2026 (Vedupari). The dates and timings are as follows.

30th December, 2025 (Tuesday)

-- Early Morning 5.45 am to Night 10 pm

-- Sorga Vasal Thirappu

-- Vaikunta Ekadasi - Ra pathu 1st Day

31th January, 2025 (Wednesday) to 4th January, 2026 (Sunday)

-- Afternoon 1 pm to Night 8 pm

-- Sorgavasal Thirapu

-- Rapathu 2nd Day to Rapathu 6th Day

5th January, 2026 (Monday)

-- Evening 4 pm to Night 10 pm

-- Paramapada Vasal Opening

-- Ra pathu 7th Day (Thirukaithala Sevai)