HYDERABAD, DECEMBER 30, 2025: The Hare Krishna Golden Temple, Banjara Hills, Hyderabd, resonated with devotion and divine joy as Vaikunta Ekadashi was celebrated in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The auspicious festival marks the transcendental occasion when Lord Sri Vishnu Himself welcomed His dear devotee Sri Nammalwar into Vaikunta.
This event, a significant milestone in the Sri Vaishnava tradition, marks the sacred moment when the Lord’s boundless love and divine blessings manifest in their fullest glory. On this auspicious occasion, the temple opened its doors to devotees, offering a rare and sacred opportunity to receive Vaikunta Dwara Darshan and participate in the grand Vishesha Sevas.
On this holy occasion, the temple opened its doors in the early hours of the morning, enabling thousands of devotees to partake in the rare and sacred Vaikunta Dwara Darshan. The celebrations commenced at 5:15 a.m, with the ceremonial Vaikunta Dwara Pratishta, after which devotees were allowed to enter through the Utthara Dwara (North Gate) traditionally believed to bestow liberation and the Lord’s divine blessings.
The first darshan of Vaikunta Dwara was offered to Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada, followed by darshan of Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Radha Govinda, beautifully decorated in a Special Lakshmi Narayana Alankara.
The Special attraction of the day was a beautifully crafted form of “Sri Srinivasa Govinda” Installed at the Uttara Dwara, resembling the Lord Welcoming his devotees entering through the Vaikunta Dwara. Throughout the day, the temple premises resonated with melodious Bhajans, Harinama Sankirtana and Devotional Chantings.
Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji (Mtech IIT Madras), President of the Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad, addressed the devotees, underscoring the spiritual significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi. He stated, “This festival is a celebration of the Lord’s profound love for his devotees, when one of his most revered devotees completed his earthly pastimes and returned to Vaikunta, the Lord Himself went to the Vaikunta Dwara to receive him. By passing through the Vaikunta Dwara on this auspicious day, devotees seek the Lord’s grace, have their heartfelt desires fulfilled, and become eligible to enter Vaikunta themselves.”
The festivities culminated in the evening with a Grand Maha Arati to Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Shayana Arathi. Sumptuous prasadam was served throughout the day, with the temple making meticulous arrangements to ensure both seamless darshan and all inconveniences to Visitors.
Devotees from all walks of life participated wholeheartedly in the celebrations, seeking the divine blessings of Sri Radha Govinda and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.
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