Vaikunta Ekadashi celebrated with fervor at Banjara Hills Hare Krishna Golden Temple
Hyderabad: Vaikunta Ekadashi was celebrated with great devotion and fervor at the Hare Krishna Golden Temple in Banjara Hills here on Friday. This event, a significant milestone in the Sri Vaishnava tradition, is a moment when the Lord’s love and blessings manifest in their fullest. The temple opened its doors to the public, offering a rare opportunity to experience Vaikunta Dwara Darshan and partake in grand Vishesha Sevas.
The celebrations began early at 5.15 am with the Vaikunta Dwara Pratista, wherein devotees were blessed with darshan through the “Utthara Dwara” (north door) of the temple. The Pradhama Darshana was first offered to Acharya Srila Prabhupada, followed by the divine darshan of Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Radha Govinda in a special Shri Lakshmi Narayana alankara.
Devotees then passed through the beautifully decorated Vaikunta Dwara to receive Lord Sri Vishnu’s blessings. Throughout the day, the temple witnessed melodious Vaishnava Gana Seva and Harinama Sankirtana, enriching the spiritual atmosphere.
A special Mandala Abhishekam was performed to the recently installed Mulavar Sri Radha Govinda with Panchamritam, fruit juices, pushpabhishekam with select flowers, holy waters, and rare herbal and sugandhadravyas.
Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, president of the Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad, addressed the devotees, emphasizing the significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi: “This festival is a celebration of the Lord’s love for his devotees. When one of his most revered devotees completed his earthly pastimes and returned to Vaikunta, the Lord personally went to the Vaikunta Dwara to receive him. By passing through the Vaikunta Dwara, devotees seek the Lord’s grace, and all their desires are fulfilled and become eligible to enter vaikunta themselves.”
The festivities concluded with a Grand Maha Arati to Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in the evening. Sumptuous prasadam was served throughout the day, and the temple ensured elaborate arrangements for prasadam distribution and visitors convenience. Devotees from all walks of life actively participated in the celebrations, seeking the divine blessings of Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
