The month of Margashirsha is very dear to Vishnu and this auspicious month holds profound spiritual significance. Hindu devotees honour ancestors with rituals like Pitru Puja and Tila Tarpan. Dhanurmasa begins in this masa. Vaikuntha Ekadashi also falls in this Dhanurmasa. There are 24 Ekadashi tithis in a year, two per month. Compared to the other Ekadashi tithis in the year, Dhanurmasa Ekadashi, which falls before the sun moves to Uttarayana, is called 'Vaikuntha or Mukkoti Ekadashi'. It will be celebrated on Friday, January 10, 2025. The tithi will continue between the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight, which begins at 12:22 PM on January 9 and ends at 10:19 AM on January 10.
Vaikuntha or Mukkoti Ekadashi is very special for Hindus. This holy day falls before the full moon in the month of Margashirsha. This is also called Uttara Dwara Darshan Ekadashi. Since Margashirsha is an auspicious day that falls in the Shukla Paksha of the month, it is also called Mokshada Ekadashi. It is called Mokshada Ekadashi because it is the day when all desires are fulfilled, sins are removed and salvation is granted. Ashtadasha Puranas say that it is called Mukkoti Ekadashi because Lord Vishnu descends to earth on Garuda Vahana along with 3 crore deities and gives darshan to the devotees.
It is said that on the day of Mukkoti Ekadashi, the gates of Vaikuntha are open, and Lord Vishnu descends to earth and gives darshan to the devotees. That is why the Uttara Dwaras (Northern Gates) of every Vaishnava temple are opened on this day only to resemble Vaikuntha (Heaven). Devotees enter through that gate in the early morning and have darshan of the god. It is called 'Mukkoti Ekadashi' because on this most auspicious day, it acquires the same sanctity as the three crore Ekadashi tithes. Devotees have a deep belief that fasting on this day and reciting Vishnu Sahasranama will bring the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
The Vedas say that those who visit the Lord through the Uttara Dwaram will not be reborn (Punarjanma or Reincarnation) and will attain salvation (Moskha Prapthi). That is why it is called 'Mokshada Ekadashi'. Special arrangements have been made for Ekadashi Uttara Dwara darshan at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in AP and the Bhadrachalam Sitarama Swamy Temple in Telangana. Lakhs of devotees visit these temples on January 10.
