Article By: S. Vijayakumari, Retd. Educationist, Virugambakkam.

Vaikunda Ekadasi is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It falls on Dec. 12 this year. Generally, in all the Perumal temples, on the morning of Vaikunda Ekadasi, the paramapada gate known as the gate of heaven is opened, through which Perumal gets up and blesses the devotees.This auspicious Vaikunda Ekadasi is celebrated in a very elaborate manner in Srirangam and Tirupati temple every year.
The railway administration has announced that additional trains will stop at Srirangam for the convenience of devotees on the occasion of Vaikunda Ekadasi festival.
Devotees visit Tirupati known as Bhuloka Vaikundam on this auspicious day of Vaikunda Ekadasi. Early in the morning, they chant the holy mantra ‘Govinda Govinda’ and get the blessings of Lord Sri Venkatachalapathi while the gate of heaven is opened.
The Vaikunda Ekadasi fasting is the most important of the fasts observed for Perumal. This fasting can remove sins and give moksha. A person who fasts on Vaikunda Ekadasi throughout his life has no rebirth. It is also a religious custom to stay awake all night reading Puranic texts, reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam and Vishnu hymns.