FREMONT: Over thousand devotees from all over Bay Area offered prayers at the shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Fremont Hindu Temple near here on the occasion of ‘Vaikunta Ekadasi.’ The devotees, after offering prayers to the Lord, had the opportunity of going out through the sacred ‘Vaikunta Passage’ encircling the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The holy Vaikunta Passage called as “Vaikunta Dwarams” is opened once a year only on Vaikunta Ekadasi day and this is the first time ever in Bay Area devotees were able to pass through the seven Vaikunta Dwaras. At Fremont Hindu temple, this festival is usually celebrated over ten days with special Poojas on all days. The deity, Prasanna Venkateshwara was decked up and was carried out by the devotees and temple priests amidst the chanting of hymns and prayers.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi that occurs during the Dhanurmasa period in the Hindu calendar. According to the Vishnu Purana, fasting on Vaikuntha Ekadashi is equivalent to fasting on the remaining 23 Ekadashis of the (Hindu) year.
The significance of Vaikuntha Ekadashi is mentioned in the Padma Purana. The legend says that the Devas were unable to bear the tyranny of ‘Muran’, a demon, and approached Shiva, who directed them to Vishnu. A battle ensued between Vishnu and the demon and Vishnu realized that a new weapon was needed to slay Muran. When Muran tried to slay Vishnu, who was sleeping, the female power that emerged from Vishnu burned Muran to ashes with her glance.
Vishnu, who was pleased, named the goddess ‘Ekadashi’ and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadashi, instead, beseeched Vishnu that people who observed a fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins. Vishnu thus declared that people who observed a fast on that day and worshipped Ekadashi, would attain Vaikuntha.
Fremont Hindu temple priests and management team had worked relentlessly for the annual affair. Temple officials said that arrangements had been made to ensure that devotees could have a hassle free darshan and steps were taken to manage the crowds that had gathered outside the premises.
Rajesh Verma, Co-chairman of FHT, thanked priests, volunteers and Mr Govind Pasumarthi for working on the special occasion and making the dream come true for Bay Area devotees.
Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
