India (Commonwealth Union)_ Margazhi is a very important month in the Hindu religion. Devotees think that adoring the divine at this time yields the same spiritual benefits as a whole year of devotion. Reciting religious songs like Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai is believed to purify sins and bring heavenly blessings. Among the most important days in this month is Vaikunta Ekadasi, the time when the gates of heaven are open. Fasting and witnessing the deity pass through the Paramapada Vasal, or the Gateway to Heaven, is said to offer extraordinary spiritual rewards. This symbolic gateway is found in nearly every Vaishnavite temple.
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Observing this day is said to cleanse sins and alleviate life’s difficulties. Many devotees fast on all Ekadasis, but Vaikunta Ekadasi is often regarded as the most spiritually beneficial day. According to Hindu texts, Lord Vishnu once opened the gates of Vaikunta to two former foes seeking redemption. They prayed that everyone who saw the Lord emerge through this gate would have the same spiritual liberation, or Moksha. Furthermore, legends say that on this day, during the Kurukshetra battle, Lord Krishna taught the valuable lessons of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
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One of the most iconic temples marking this special day is the Tirumala Tirupati temple in India from December 30, 2025, to January 8, 2026. The next major temple is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, which is another iconic site for Vaikunta Ekadasi. It is often referred to as Lord Vishnu’s Divya Desam or Bhulokha Vaikuntha. It is widely regarded as the most will-filled of all 108 Divya Desams, and the devotees of Lord Vishnu call this special site a Heaven on Earth. As traditionally taught by several Dharma Gurus and Mysore Maharishis, Vaikuntham and Paramapadam were two Divya Desams that cannot be seen with man’s eyes. Paramapadam is believed to be a place where the pure souls of Lord Vishnu’s most devoted disciples reside; therefore, crossing through the holy entrance to Paramapadam represents the highest and most complete level of spiritual development.
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A unique tradition of Vaikunta Ekadasi is the evening game of Paramapadam, which is comparable to Snakes and Ladders. In this game, climbing a ladder denotes obtaining spiritual merit, and sliding down a snake represents falling into sin. Devotees play the game throughout the night to stay awake for prayer and meditation. It symbolizes life’s journey, the ups and downs, the rewards for good deeds, and the consequences of misdeeds.
The game depicts the path to Vaikuntha, emphasizing how spiritual struggle and ethical living ultimately lead to divine favor and freedom. This annual ritual mixes devotion, meditation, and a simple but deep lesson: life is a succession of challenges and triumphs, and virtuous choices lead the soul to salvation. Vaikunta Ekadasi, with its religious observances and symbolic games, continues to inspire devotees to lead lives of faith and virtue.
