One among the popular festivals of Sri Vaishnava temples across Tamil Nadu is Vaikunta Ekadasi and the main event is opening of Heaven’s Gate / paramapada vasal at temples. On that day the gates of the abode of Sri Vishnu are open in the morning at an auspicious time. This being an holy annual event devotees at various towns and cities throng Sri Vishnu temples in the early morning to get blessed by the lord emerging from Sorgavasal and to walk through the gate temporarily set up in some temples. In many historical temples the Sorgavasal gate on the northern side adjacent to the shrine remains closed throughout the year except on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. Once the event is over again it will be closed till next year and this tradition has been followed for centuries. Those who worship the lord this day and walk through the Paramapada Vasal will be blessed with good life and welfare, besides salvation - free from the cycles of birth and death.
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| Lord ‘Namperumal’ emerging thru the Paramapada Vaasal, Srirangam 2023 newindianexpress.com |
At the famous Sri Andal temple, Srivilliputhur the sorgavasal was opened at 6:30 am today (January 2) as part of Ekadasi festival and it was attended by thousands of devotees with devotion. Chanting of ‘Govinda’ and ‘Gopala’ ranted the air when Periya Perumal followed by goddess Sri Andal and Rengamannar (Vishnu) passed through the Paramapada gate in a religious procession. The idols of Azhwar were waiting outside when Periya perumal emerged first. Pujas began in the early morning and both Periya Perumal and Rangamannar adorned in Sarva Alangaram gave darshan to devotees. Here the festivities began on December 23 with Pachai paraputhal and Thaila Koppu urchavam. Pagal pathu event having been over Raa pathu event begins to day.
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| Keezhaiyur Ranganatha perumal temple, veludharan.blogspot.com |
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| Keezhaiyur Ranganatha perumal temple, veludharan.blogspot.com |
At Thillai Thiruchitrakoodam Sri Govindaraja perumal temple within the famous Thillai Sri Nataraja temple, Chidambaram, sorgavasal thirappu event took place in the early morning 5-30 am.
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| Needamangalam Santhana Ramaswamy temple. thehindu.com |
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| Needamangalam Santhna Ramaswamy temple. thehindu.com |
At Needamangalam (Thiruvarur District) Santhana Ramaswamy temple Vaikunda Ekadasi ''paramapada vasal thirappu'' was held with bakthi attended by a large number of devotees. This temple built in 1761 by the Thanjavur Maratha ruler Sri Prathapa Singh, was glorified by one of the popular Carnatic Music trinity - Muthuswami Thikshitar. Childless couples visit this temple to get blessed with a baby.
''Muthuswami Dikshitar, who propitiated many deities in his majestic songs, also sang the praise of Rama, ‘Satyasandha,’ whose Dharma of life was Truth. While another of Dikshitar’s marvellous composition, ‘Sri Ramam Ravikulabdhi Somam’ in Narayanagowla is a unique piece, no less is the grandeur of his kriti, ‘Santana Ramaswaminam’ in Hindola Vasantam sung in praise of the deity enshrined at Yamunambapuram (Needamangalam), a small town in the present Tiruvarur district. This kriti is special because this is the only piece that gives the crucial link to the existence of this rare temple, where the deity is said to bless childless devotees, who pray here.'' ...https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/dikshitar-and-tyagaraja-glorified-lord-rama-here/article24398981.ece
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| Venkatesa Perumal temple, Thanjavur. indiancolumbus.blogspot.com |
At the historical Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple located in the center of the fort area of Thanjavur on V. P. Kovil street close to Kasu kadai street, paramapada vasal thirappu urchavam was held in the early morning today. A stream of devotees attended the events held later. Built by the Maratha ruler Pratap Singh of Thanjavur Maratha dynasty in the 18th century, an interesting fact about this temple is its association with one of the Carnatic music trinity (Sangeetha Mummoorthikal in Tamil) - composer Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar He wrote many songs on the glory of Sri Vishnu, the prime god of this temple. This is the reason why annually Carnatic concert - Kutcheri will be held here during the Tamil month of Aadi to honor him in the Nallukal Mantap right before Sri Anjaneyar shrine. Countless stalwarts in Carnatic music including popular singer Yesudas used to participate in the concert. Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Bhajegam in praise of this Lord composed by Dikshitar is quite familiar with many musicians. A 15-day Music festival beginning on Aadi Ammavasai day is an interesting one. . The concert will be held in the evening. Here, the main deity is referred to as Malai Yeriya Perumal. This temple is being managed by the Aranmani (Palace) Devasthanam Trust under the able administration of the Maratha Prince. Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple in Maharnonbu chavady also celebrated the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival with traditional fervor. Lots of devotees attended this grand annual event held in the Maamani temple in Vennatrankarai, the Kaliyuga Venkatesa Perumal temple on South main street, the Kamalavalli Udanurai Appala Ranganathar temple at Koviladi near Thirukattupalli and the Hare Sabha Vimochana Perumal temple at Kandiyur near Tiruvaiyaru.
At the following temples Sorgavasal thirappu event took place in the early morning to day with religious fervor:
Aranganathar Temple in Kudaivara Temple located at the foot of Namakkal Hill.
Ariyalur Kothandaramasamy Kovil,
Thirumayam Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple,
Tiruneermalai Ranganathar Perumal Temple,
Salem famous Fort Alagirinathar Swamy Temple,
Thiruvannamalai Narayana Perumal temple
Such as Chennai Tiruvallikeni Parthasarathi Temple,
https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2022/04/arulmigu-ranganatha-perumal-temple.html
https://india.postsen.com/News/amp/196132
https://www.navrangindia.in/2021/09/historical-prasanna-venkatesa-prumal.html?m=1
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