Metro India News | Hyderabad

The Hare Krishna Golden Temple at Banjara Hills witnessed a surge of devotion as Vaikunta Ekadashi was celebrated with spiritual fervour on Tuesday, attracting thousands of devotees from the early hours of the day.

Vaikunta Ekadashi holds special importance in the Sri Vaishnava tradition, commemorating the sacred occasion when Lord Sri Vishnu welcomed His revered devotee Sri Nammalwar into Vaikunta. The festival symbolises the manifestation of the Lord’s boundless love and divine blessings upon His devotees.

The celebrations began at 5.15 a.m. with the ceremonial Vaikunta Dwara Pratishta, after which devotees were permitted to enter the temple through the Uttara Dwara (North Gate). The Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, traditionally believed to grant liberation and divine grace, drew long queues throughout the day.

The first darshan through the Vaikunta Dwara was offered to Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada, followed by darshan of Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Radha Govinda, who were adorned in a special Lakshmi Narayana alankara. A major attraction was the beautifully crafted form of “Sri Srinivasa Govinda” installed at the Uttara Dwara, symbolically welcoming devotees entering through the sacred gateway.

The temple atmosphere was enriched by continuous bhajans, Harinama Sankirtana and devotional chanting. Addressing the gathering, Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, President of the Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad, explained the spiritual essence of the festival. He said that Vaikunta Ekadashi celebrates the Lord’s profound love for His devotees and recalled how the Lord Himself went to the Vaikunta Dwara to receive Sri Nammalwar. He added that devotees passing through the Vaikunta Dwara on this day seek divine grace, fulfilment of heartfelt desires and eligibility to enter Vaikunta.

The celebrations concluded in the evening with a grand Maha Arati and Shayana Arati. Prasadam was served throughout the day, with arrangements made to ensure smooth darshan and visitor convenience.