Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – Vaikunta Ekadeshi
Festival
The most
important festival celebrated for full twenty one days during Tamil month
Margazhi (December-January), is divided to two ten days as Pagal Pathu and ra
Pathu, with all pomp and pageantry.
Pagal Pathu
(10 day time) and Ra Pathu (10 day night time) festival is celebrated in
the month of Margazhi (December–January) for twenty days. The first ten
days are referred as Pagal-Pathu (10 day day time festival) and the
second half as Ra Pathu (10 day night-time festival).
The
first day of Ra Pathu is Vaikunta
Ekadashi. The eleventh day of
each fortnight in Tamil
calendar is called Ekadesi and
the holiest of all ekadesis as per vaishnavite tradition is the Vaikunta
Ekadashi.
Nammazhwar, one of the 12 azhwars, is believed to have ascended to Vaikuntam (the heavenly
abode of Vishnu) on this day. The devotion of the 9th-century poet, Nammazhwar,
and his perceived ascent to heaven is enacted annually. During the festival,
through song and dance, this place is affirmed to be Bhooloka Vaikunta
(heaven on earth). Araiyar Sevai is divine colloquiums of Araiyars,
who recite and enact Naalayira
Divya Prabandam, the 4000 verses
of azhwars (Vaishnavite poets of the 7th–10th century).
Araiyars are
born to Araiyar tradition most prevalent in Sri Vaishnava families in
Srirangam, Alwar Thirunagari and Srivilliputhur. The tradition of Araiyar Sevai was started
by Nathamuni, a 10th-century Vaishnavite who compiled the works
of azhwars.
It is
believed as per Hindu
mythology that 33 crores of
gods come down to witness the event. The festival deity is brought to the
1000-pillared hall on the morning of Vaikunta Ekadashi through
the Paramapada Vasal (gate to paradise).Lakhs of pilgrims rush to
enter it after the gate is opened and the deity passes through it as it is
believed that one who enters here will reach Vaikuntam (heaven) after
death.
The gate
is open only during the ten days of Pagal Pathu (10 day day-time
festival). On the last day of the festival, the poet Nammazhwar is said to be
given salvation. The performance is enacted by priests and an image in the
temple depicts Nammazhwar as reaching heaven and getting liberation from the
cycle of life and death.
At that
point, a member from the crowd of devotees, who are witnessing this passion
play, goes up to the center stage and requests Vishnu to return Nammazhwar to
humanity, so that his words and form in the temple will continue to inspire and
save the devotees. Following this performance of the salvation of Nammazhwar,
the cantors are taken in procession round the temple.
On
Ekadesi day, Lord Ranganatha, attired in splendid garment, proceeds in a
magnificient procession through Paramapada Vasal, arrives at Tirumamani
Mandapam in the Thousand in a pillared hall to the thrill and joy of the devotees
gathered in lakhs who have come from all over India and abroad.
This
occasion is the peak point of all festivals conducted in the Temple, on this
day of days; Sri Ranganatha becomes a virtual king and is known as Sri
Rangaraja. He holds his Divine Durbar in that huge hall which is further
extended by a specially erected and tastefully decorated Pandal, throughout the
day Nalayira Dhivyaprabandam is recited, and gets back to the Temple only late
in the night.
Milling
crowds of devotees constantly keep moving from dawn to midnight. Teams of
devotees, engaged in non-stop bhajans, fast throughout the day and keep endless
vigil during the whole night, singing and dancing to the beat of cymbals.
Verily, it is the sight for the gods to see.