Vaikunta Ekadesi celebrated in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI - Vaishnavites across the state celebrated Vaikunta Ekadesi Monday with religious fervour, fasting and visits to temples.

Vaikunta Ekadesi is celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi and as per belief fasting on this day is considered holier than any other religious ritual.

Thousands of devotees thronged Vaishnavite temples in the state like the Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple here and others seeking Lord Vishnu’s blessings passing through ‘Paramapada Vasal’ - the gate to Vaikunt, the Lord’s abode.

Lord Ranganatha, the deity in Srirangam temple, was adorned in Ratha Angi - dress made with precious stones - and was taken around in a procession.

At the Parthasarathy temple here, the ‘Paramapada Vasal’ was opened at 3.30 a.m. and the deity was taken out in procession with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi in a palanquin.

Some temples like the Kesava Perumal Temple here sold special tickets for devotees to have darshan faster.