LEGEND - Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi is traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana says that Lord Vishnu Ekadasi (female energy) and killed demon Muran during the month of Margazhi. Impressed Lord Vishnu told Ekadsi, who worship him on this day will reach ‘Vaikunta.' directly. It is widely believed that the gates to the heaven open - the Gate of Vaikuntha - on the Vaikunta Ekadashi day. It is one of the most auspicious days in the temples of Lord Vishnu in South – especially in Tirupati, Srirangam & Bhadrachalam.

VAIKUNTHA EKADASI is celebrated at Srirangam for 21 days. TEN Days before Ekadasi is called PAGAL Patthu (festival day time) and TEN Days after are called Ira Patthu (festival in nights). On Vaikuntha Ekadasi day Lord Ranganatha Moolavar is clothed in armour of pearls and Tiruvaranga Utsavar wearing a diamond coat will be taken to 1000 pillar hall through northern gate. This gate is believed as gate to Vaikuntham and opens only on Vaikuntha Ekadasi. Lord Vishnu holds divine darbar along with all ALWARS and Nalayaram Divya Prabandham is recited.

While the deity goes on procession each ALWAR accompanies him. First Nammalwar is called, followed by Thirumangai Alwar, Ramanuja and so on.. All these procedures followed here are introduced from time of RAMANUJA and followed even today.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi starts 3-15 AM sharp with procession of Tiruvaranga emerging out of nortehn gates, which will be open to devotees to enter and have darshan of Moolavar Sriranganatha. Through out the day children dressed like ALWARS enact pasurams from DIVYAPRABANDHAM and events of Ramayana and other holy epics. At Night the Ekadasi ends with VEENA Recitals by FIVE descendants of Ramanuja Era VAINIKs (Now they are 43 rd generation). They also play THIAGARAJA Kirthans in addition to Pasurams. ALL this happens in front of thousands of devotees who maintain PIN drop silence, near THAYAR Sannidhi and This is Ekantha sevai.