Sacred Sāligrāmas-Stones from the Gandaki River revered
as the embodiment of Lord Vishnu Himself

Paushya Māsa, also known as Dhanur Māsa, is a period of one month in the lunar calendar that comes every year sometime in December and January.  This year, Paushya Masa occurs from December 25, 2011 - January 23, 2012.

The eleventh day in the ascending phase of the moon during Paushya Māsa is called Vaikuntha Mahā Ekādasiin the lunar calendar.  This auspicious day is also known by other names such as Paushya Sudha Ekadasi, Nandaikādasi, Putadaikādasi, and Daivata Manvādi Mukkoti Ekādasi. 

In general, every ekādasi, eleventh day during the ascendant phase of the moon, is considered auspicious.  However, among these, the Vaikuntha ekādasi, is considered very special and revered as extremely auspicious.  On this day, mukkoti devatas, the thirty million gods and goddesses journey to Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu, seeking darshan, or a glimpse of Lord Vishnu.  This is a very rare and special day when the Lord keeps open the entry doors of Vaikuntha to allow the 30 million gods and goddesses to enter and witness His Divine form.  This auspicious day has particular significance for spiritual seekers. 

If one performs abhisheka, sacred bathing ceremony, to Vishnu sāligrāma, a sacred stone revered as the embodiment of Lord Vishnu found on the shores of the river Gandaki, on this day, one is bestowed with the piety of performing sacred bath to Lord Maha Vishnu Himself.  One is bestowed with the grace of Lord Nārāyana of Vaikuntha whenever one prays to the saligrāmas through archana (worship) abhisheka (sacred bathing ceremony) and panchāmrita abhisheka (sacred bath ceremony performed by mixing five nectars of milk, sugar, honey, clarified butter, and curd). Since the energy of the planet Saturn flows most intensely on this day, the worship of sāligrāma protects you from the harmful rays of the planet Saturn. 

Anyone who first performs abhisheka, sacred bath ceremony, to the sāligrāma with the holy water of the Ganges river, and then worships the sāligrāma with Tulasi leaves will be blessed with the removal of all pains caused by disease and ashta dāridryas, eight types of poverties (namely, lack of: children, valor, victory, money, grandeur, food, auspiciousness, and the grace of Goddess of wealth).

At Sri Penushila Kshetram, our beloved Amma’s physical abode, Vaikuntha ekādasi will be celebrated in a grand style.  On this day, sacred abhishekas will be performed by our beloved Amma Herself to very rare sāligrāmas embodying the divine essence of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Sri Maha Lakshmi Narasimha and other forms/incarnations of Lord Vishnu.  Thousands of sāligrāmas will be bathed with mahā kshira, holiest of milk, shankhas, conchs considered to be highly auspicious, holy water of the Ganges river, and panchāmritās, mixture of five nectars.  Also, there will be Tulasi mahārchana, supreme worship with Tulasi leaves.  These mahā pujas, great worships, will be performed on the day of Vaikuntha ekādasi with all reverence for the good benefit of all devotees.

To personally sponsor these cerenomies and receive the abundance of blessings and grace of performing this worship yourself on this most holy occasion, we are pleased to offer devotees online sponsorship through the SMVA Trust (USA) Amma Store. Please click here.

For a detailed list of spiritual practices that devotees can observe on this special day, please click here

May all be bestowed with shubham (auspiciousness), ārogyam (good health) , ānandam (bliss), shānti (peace), and sowbhāgya (fortune). 

May vishwa shānti, universal peace, flourish in the entire universe!

Jai Karunamayi!

Om Shānti, Shānti, Shāntihi!