Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/77

Rh Vaishnava legends. The thirty-three crores of gods are said to have come down to witness it. Hence this Ekadasi is called Vaikuntha Ekadasi or Mukkoti Ekadasi, which latter is a shortened form of Muppattu Mukkoti Ekadasi.

In Vishnu temples a special gateway leading to the shrine is opened on this day and he who passes through this doorway is considered to have passed through the gates of Vaikuntha or the abode of felicity in the heavens, like Nammalwar, a famous Vaishnava saint. The Madhvas and the Smartas who observe the Ekadasi equally well with the Vaishnavas do not appear to attach any special merit for the passage through this special gateway, which is called the Vaikuntha gateway.

The Mukkoti Ekadasi is observed in all Vaishnava temples. Ten days before and ten days after it are also held sacred by the Vaishnava sect of the Tenkalai class; as the recitation of Tiruvaymoli—the Tamil Vaishnava Veda—is supposed to have taken place before the god Ranganatha in Srirangam on these days. In this sacred island-shrine of the Vaishnavas this feast is celebrated in grand style and pilgrims flock to it from all parts of India.