Devotees throng Tamil Nadus Ranganatha shrine on Vaikunta Ekadesi

A large number of devotees congregated at Ranganatha shrine in Tamil Nadus Srirangam temple town to celebrate the Vaikunta Ekadesi festival today.

Srirangam (TN), Dec 20 : A large number of devotees congregated at Ranganatha shrine in Tamil Nadu's Srirangam temple town to celebrate the Vaikunta Ekadesi festival today.

Devotees offered prayers to Lord Vishnu, also known as Lord Ranganatha.

"I have been coming here for the last 16 years. Accompanied by family members we enjoy this festival. All my relatives come here," said Krishnamurthy, a devotee.

Vaikunta Ekadasi occurs in December. Vaishnavites (worshipers of Lordishnu) believe that 'Vaikunta Dwaram' or 'the gate to Lord's Inner Sanctum' is opened on this day.

During Ekadashi festival, the idol of Lord Ranganatha bedecked in diamonds is taken out of the temple sanctum sanctorum to be placed at Thirumamani Mandapam (thousand pillared hall).

The hall of 1000 pillars is the most splendid part of the Srirangam temple.

Pilgrims sing songs in praise of Lord Vishnu and chant religious hymns throughout the day.

"Visiting Srirangam on Vaikunth Ekadashi is very auspicious. It brings a lot of blessings," said Sundareshan, a UAE-based devotee.

The Ranganatha temple is one of the first to be built for the Vaishnavite sect in southern India.

This temple is a fine example of Dravidian-style architecture and is known for its lofty gates known as Gopurams.

ANI