Mukkoti Pradakshinam is observed on Mukkoti Ekadashi and Mukkoti Dwadasi days. It is a closed pathway for circumambulation which runs around Tirumala Tirupati Sri Balaji temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Mukkoti Pradakshinam is opened only twice in a year – Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi days. Vaikunta Ekadasi or Mukkoti Dwadasi and Vaikunta Dwadashi are observed during Dhanurmasam (Pausha masam).
Mukkoti Vratam is also observed on Dhanurmasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi and Dwadashi days. Literally, ‘Mukkoti’ means 3 crores and vratam is observance or puja. During these days, all the Gods come down to Mukkoti Theertham (Swami Pushkarini Theertham) which is near Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala. Performing Punya Snanam in this Theertham on these days makes devotees free from all sins.
Mukkoti Ekadashi, also known as Vaikunta Ekadasi, is observed on Dhanurmasa Ekadashi or the 11th day of Dhanurmasam. Mukkoti Ekadashi 2009 date is December 28. This festival is celebrated with lot of fervor at Vishnu temples in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In 2009, this famous Ekadashi vratam falls on Pushya masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi as per Telugu and Kannada calendars. Mukkoti Ekadasi festival holds the grand celebrations in Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venksteshwara Temple, Bhadrachalam Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple, Simhachalam Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple, Srikurmam Maha Vishnu Temple, Srikakulam Andhra Maha Vishnu temple, Mangalagiri Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Ranganatha Swamy Temple near Nellore and Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.
‘Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam’, visiting the Lord through Vaikunta Dwaram (Entrance to Heaven), is the main highlight during Mukkoti Ekadasi day in Vishnu temples. Vaikunta Dwaram is opened on only Vaikunta Ekadashi day which lies at North side to the temple. Devotees observe upavasam (fasting) throughout the day and break their fast on Mukkoti Dwadashi day, the day after Mukkoti Ekadashi. There are two Mukkoti Ekadashi festivals in 2009. The first one was observed on January 7.
Mukkoti Ekadashi is also observed as Vaikunta Ekadasi. In Kerala, this Ekadasi is celebrated as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi at Trivandrum Padmanabha Swamy Temple. In North India, it is known as Putrada Ekadashi.
Vaikunta Ekadashi vrata is observed on Dhanur Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadasi or on the 11th day of bright fortnight during Dhanur Masam. Vaikunta Ekadashi 2009 date is December 28. It falls on Pushya Shukla Ekadasi day as per Telugu and Kannada calendars. In North India, this Ekadashi is observed as Putrada Ekadasi. Vaikunta Ekadasi is a grand festival in Lord Vishnu temples. This festival is celebrated with lot of gusto in Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Devasthanam, Sri Rangam Ranganatha Swamy temple, Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Devasthanam, and many more Vishnu temples in South India.
Vaikunta Ekadashi is the major festival celebrated in Dhanur Masam in South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. On this day, in Vishnu temples, Vaikunta Dwar or Vaikunta Dwaram or Vaikunta Vaasal (entrance to Heaven) is opened for Darshan of Lord Vishnu. Vaikunta Dwara lies in North side to the temple. This gate is open only on Vaikunt Ekadasi day in the whole year. Vaikunt Ekadasi is also observed as Mukkoti Ekadasi.
The Tiruppavai, also spelt as Thiruppavai, is a collection of thirty paasurams or stanzas written and compiled by Andal. All the pasurams are written in Tamil praising Lord Tirumal or Vishnu or Perumal. It is considered as prominent part in Divya Prabandha. Divya Prabandha is compiled by twelve Alvars of Tamil Vaishnavas.
Thiruppavai is a divine text recited during the Tamil month of Margazhi and the Telugu month of Dhanurmasam. In 2009, Margali masam or Dhanur masam starts on December 17 and ends on January 14, 2010.
The thirty pasurams of Thiruppavai explain about the principles of Vaishnava dharma and spiritual importance during Margazhi masam. The stanzas are recited by devotees of Vishnu and Pavai Nombu, a vow dedicated to Andal Ammal, is observed during the month of Margali.
In Andhra Pradesh, the same nombu is observed as Dhanurmasa vratam. Vaishnu bhakta, devotees of Lord Vishnu, recite Thiruppavai during the month and special naivedyam is offered on each day of Dhanur masam. Goda Kalyanam, marriage of Sri Goda Devi and Lord Venkateshwara, is performed during the month.
Dhanur Sankranti, also known as Dhanu Sankramanam, is the transition of the Sun to Dhanu Rashi or the zodiac sign of Sagittarius. In 2009, Dhanu Sankranti date is December 16. Usually, Dhanu Sankraman occurs on Margasira Amavasya as per Telugu and Kannada calendars. As per Tamil calendar, Dhanus sankraman falls on the first day of Margazhi or Margali masam (Margazhi Amavasi).
Dhanur Sankraman marks the beginning of Dhanur Masam in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. Dhanurmasam is the most auspicious period for Vaishnava sect of Hindus. Pavai Nombu begins on Dhanur Sankraman day in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
