The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, holds immense significance during the Vaikunta Ekadashi festival in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January). Often referred to as Bhooloka Vaikuntam, meaning Heaven on Earth, this temple is one of the most prominent Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has been glorified by the Azhwars, the 12 Vaishnavite saints of the 7th–8th century.
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| Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Srirangam oyorooms.com |
During Vaikunta Ekadashi, the Paramapada Vasal, a symbolic gateway to Vaikunta (the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu), is opened early in the morning. This year it is on the January 10th. Passing through this gate is believed to grant liberation (moksha) to devotees.
On this auspicious day, Sri Namperumal, the festival deity, is brought out in a grand procession from the sanctum sanctorum to the Paramapada Vasal, where devotees receive his blessings in special adornments like the Rathnangi Sevai. The celebrations, which span 22 days, include the Pagal Pathu and Ra Pathu Utsavams, showcasing various forms and decorations of the deity. Vaikunta Ekadashi is the pinnacle of these festivities, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the country.
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| Ariyars of Srirangam, TN arayasamajam.blogspot.com |
Ariyar Sevai, before the idol of Namperumal, a rare cultural dance and visuals art form will hold the devotees spell-binding following the Bhakti tradition of singing, dancing with abhinaya. Their mythical story telling is distinctively different. captivating the soul of the audience. The Ariyars, coming from various rich educational back ground are hereditary Sevak. of this temple. One late Sri Veenai Ranganathan, Prof. of Physics at National College, Trichy(in the 1960a and 1970s) was a dedicated Ariyar and his contribution to this cultural presentation was vast. Srirangam is the only temple where the Sevai is elaborate and has been around for centuries. It was introduced by the great Vaishnava savant Nathamuni (9th-10th CE)
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| Srirangam temple Goddess Andal in Kannadi Arai.bp.blogspot.com |
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| Sri Andal Kannadi Arai, Srirangm temple, TN, Pinrest.com |
Above image: Goddess Andal Sannadhi, Sri Ranganathaswami Temple, Srirangam. The sannadhi is near by Chandra Pushkarani & Sri Kothandaramar Sannadhi. The shrine in the earliest period was in the SW part of Adaiya valaintan which was close to the Cauvery bank. Periazhwar is said to have chosen this site first upon his arrival here. The idol of Andal was in a sitting posture and this site was called Veli Sannidhi as it was on the outer prakara (veli Thirumutram), Ul Andal Sannidhi (inner shrine) came up later. The festival idol is in a seated posture. Also included in this shrine is Sri Rama. In Paramapatha Natham shrine one can see the idols of 12 Azhwars; as for Andal, in her sub-shrine, her idol is in a standing posture as in Srivilliputhur temple. Close to this shrine is the Kannadi Arai with mirrors fixed on the four sides; Andal Kannadi sevai is popular here. Other small idols included are Sri Rama, Sri Ramanujar, Nampermal with consorts Sridevi and Bodevi.......
Goddess Andal (7th centry CE; birth place Srivilliputhur, TN), an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, has a profound connection to this temple. Her devotional hymns, the Thiruppavai, are central to Margazhi celebrations. The first Thiruppavai hymn is recited at the Kannadi Arai (Mirror Chamber) within the Srirangam temple, symbolizing Andal's eternal presence in spirit. Andal’s life story is intertwined with Srirangam, where she is believed to have united with Lord Ranganatha. Her unparalleled devotion and her divine union with the deity elevate the temple’s status among Vishnu Kshetrams. Andal’s daily practice of wearing garlands before dedicating them to Lord Vishnu, and the divine approval of this act revealed to Periazhwar in a dream, further strengthen the spiritual connection between Srivilliputhur and Srirangam.
The Vaikunta Ekadashi festival for 2025 will feature Sri Namperumal’s procession at 4:15 AM IST on January 10, with the opening of the Paramapada Vasal at 5:15 AM IST. The gateway will remain open until 10:00 PM on the same day. Additionally, the Sorgavasal will be open for nine days during the Ra Pathu Utsavam, except on January 17, designated for the Thirumangai Mannan Vedupari event.
To ensure the safety and smooth management of the massive crowds, the administration has deployed 2,000 police personnel. Advanced technology, including Face Recognition Software integrated with a database of 70,000 criminal records, has been implemented to enhance security during the event.
The Sri Ranganatha swamy Temple stands as a testament to centuries of Vaishnavite devotion, architectural grandeur, and living tradition. Its association with Andal and the significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi make it one of the holiest and most revered Vishnu temples in the world. The festival will culminate with Namazhwar Moksham. With care he compiled the Nalaeera Divyaprabandham, including pasurams composed by other Azhwars glorifying lord Vishnu.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2025/01/pavai-nombu-vratam-undertaken-in-month.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2025/01/sri-andal-temple-of-srivilliputhur-tn.html
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/04/ranganathaswamy-temple-srirangam-andal.html
