Vaikuntha Ekadashi Celebrations at ISKCON Bangalore

Bengaluru’s biggest Vaikuntha doors were set up at ISKCON Bangalore for devotees to pass through and participate in special prayers, abhisheka, discourses and savor prasadam.

Bengaluru, Monday, 6 January, 2020: Bengaluru’s biggest symbolical door to Vaikuntha, the abode without anxieties, were set up at ISKCON Bangalore temple. More than a lakh pilgrims visited the temple to pass through the traditional Vaikuntha Dwara(door) and also participated in other events like Kalyanotsava, Abhishekam, Laksharchana(chanting one lakh names), discourses, etc. Elaborate arrangements were made for everyone to have smooth darshan throughout the day and savor prasadam.

The festivities began as early as 3am in the morning with Suprabhata seva or the first darshan of Sri Srinivasa Govinda. An elaborate Abhishekam (bathing ceremony) was then performed with auspicious offerings of Panchamrutha, Panchagavya, Medicinal herbs, fresh fruit juices and vibrant flowers. A grand arati using 12 kinds of lamps concluded the Abhishekam amidst various musical renderings by artists. The Lord was then decorated with regal clothing and lustrous jewelry, ready to receive his devotees in his abode.

As the dawn approached, the utsava Deities of Sri Radha Krishna adorned as Sri Lakshmi Vaikuntha-Narayana were carried on a palanquin to the northern entrance of the temple. The procession led by Nadaswaram and women devotees carrying diyas and flower plates culminated at the Vaikuntha Dwara dazzling with golden colors. Echoing the names of Govinda, devotees passed through the doors and sought His divine blessings.

Sriman Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore and Chairman of Akshaya Patra said “On this day, Sri Nammalwar entered Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God, in his spiritual body. According to Srimad Bhagavata purana, our present body is an imitation of our original spiritual body. We all desire to become deathless, sick-less and eternal, qualities which are only exclusive to a spiritual body. As the present body needs food, our spiritual body also needs its own food. Chanting of Holy names of God is the potent food to revive our spiritual body and such determination helps in our spiritual pursuits.”

“Around hundred married couples participated in Kalyanotsava of Sri Krishna-Rukmini-Satyabhama, desiring to strengthen their bonds and overcome impediments of marriage. These ceremonies also help youngsters to identify standards and values of a better married life.” said Naveena Neerada Dasa, Head – Global Engagement Initiatives of ISKCON Bangalore and Akshaya Patra.

Another attraction was Laksharchana seva wherein children of age 6-12 chanted 1008 names of Krishna, serving as an inspiration for the mature audience. A unique exhibition on the life and achievements of Srila Prabhupada was also set up. The Indian monk traversed the globe in his advanced age to spread Indian culture and teachings of Bhagavad-Gita. A display of this ancient Sanskrit text in 52 languages of the world made the visitors proud of their heritage.

Over one lakh laddus and many tons of sweet pongal were distributed throughout the day to the visitors’ delight. More than 1000 volunteers took a break from their routine life and rendered services on this occasion. Senior citizens and differently-abled people could avail free shuttle services to go up the hill and have a smooth darshan. Proper measures were taken to ensure comfortable queue movements. Also, a newly built skywalk to the temple reduced traffic congestion usually caused by pedestrians trying to cross the road.