On the auspicious occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, devotees offer various sevas to Srinivasa Govinda. At 4:00 AM an elaborate abhishekam is performed for the moolavar Deity of Sri Srinivasa Govinda.
The utsavar Deities of Krishna Rukmini Sathyabhama are offered Kalyanotsava Seva. Devotees who wish to participate in these two sevas can contact Donor Care Center for booking their slots. Limited slots are available.
This time the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival is celebrated on January 11, 2014 (Saturday). A grand abhishekam is performed for the moolavar Deity of Sri Srinivasa Govinda. The northern gate to the main temple hall is decorated as Vaikuntha Dwara and the utsavar Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra give darshan to the devotees, seated in a swing at Vaikuntha Dwara. Lakhs of devotees visit temple on that day to get the darshan of the Lord and to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwara.
Vishesha Sevas for Vaikunta Ekadashi
Tulasi Hara Seva
Tulasi is a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and has manifested in this material world in the form of a plant to serve the Lord. She is also called as Vrindadevi. Vrindavana, the land of Lord Sri Krishna is named after her. On the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi (and also on various other special occasions), the Deities are offered garlands made of Tulasi leaves.
Rajbhog Seva
The Deities are offered bhoga six times a day and the grandest offering with varieties of food items, including sweets, savories and vegetable preparations happen at 12 noon. This is called Rajbhog. The Rajbhog offering is followed by a grand arati.
Vishesha Alankara Seva
The Deities are decorated gorgeously during the festivals with special clothing, flower garlands and jewellery.
Srimad Bhagavatam says: The Supreme Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always fully satisfied in Himself. Therefore when something is offered to Him, the offering, by the Lord’s mercy, is for the benefit of the devotee, for the Lord does not need service from anyone. To give an example, if one’s face is decorated, the reflection of one’s face in a mirror is also seen to be decorated.
Courtesy – ISKCON Bangalore.