1st Jan 2015
Mayiladuthurai is of great antiquity,dotted with temples dating back to medieval Cholas. It was earlier known as Mayuram. Mayura being the peacock, the form in which Devi worshipped Lord Shiva. A legendary Divyakshetra is dedicated here to Lord Parimala Ranganatha. The New Year’s Day of 2015 coincided with the auspicious Vaikunt Ekadashi when the door to Lord's Inner Sanctum was opened.
There is an episode in Padma Purana that when Lord Vishnu was asleep, Mura, the demon attempted to slay Him; but the female power emerged from Vishnu and burnt the asura to ashes with her glance. Vishnu was pleased and named the energy ‘Ekadashi’ and asked her to claim a boon. Ekadashi beseeched Him that people who observed fast on that day should be redeemed of their sins and attain Vaikunta. Mura symbolically was an embodiment of rajo-tamo gunas present in people. When one conquers these tendencies, he attains purity of mind that is indispensable for attaining moksh. Fasting helps to keep at bay tendencies which could be triggered by intake of certain foods. Keeping vigil in the night is symbolic of awareness, being watchful of the contents of the mind.Interestingly the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita) occurred on this day and Vishnu temples across world make a door-Parama pada vaasal aka Vaikunt Dwar, for devotees to walk through.
Thanks to the local team, we were fortunate to render sacred hymns from a stage adjacent to this spot which saw some 150,000 devotees passing through.
May the Divine blessings and Master’s grace be upon all readers of this post.
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