Vaikuntha Ekadashi : Opening doors to positivity and good health....

Vaikuntha Ekadashi : Opening doors to positivity  and good health 

Ever since I was a child I have heard stories of heaven and hell. Heaven like a beautiful garden and hell with vessels of boiling oil on hot furnaces. However unpleasant death may sound the idea of going to heaven is always pleasing. Vaishnava Sampradayam literally opens the door of "Vaikuntham" for all Vaishnavas on "Vaikuntha Ekadashi".
Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the lunar month and so there are two Ekadashis in every solar month.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is considered to be the mother of all Ekadashis and is also known as Mokshada Ekadashi. The fact that it comes in the Hindu month of Margashish makes it more special.  Lord Krishna also loved this month for he is believed to have said that among months I am Margashish. It is also believed to be the day on which Lord Krishna chanted the Bhagwat Gita to Arjun. So this day is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti.
In an age where each one of us is in search of inner peace , occassions like these offer us an opportunity to introspect and practice self control. 
Fasting is a practice which tests our capacity to resist temptations and our  strength of mind in enduring austerities. 
The core principle is not limited to avoiding food but controlling our senses.
Another important aspect to be remembered is that our ancestors have  always based practices on scientific principles. The atmospheric pressure on  Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the Lunar month is naturally low so fasting on those days helps in cleansing the digestive system. Modern eating habits tire our stomach and keeping a fast detoxifies our body and cleans it.
Legend says that demons exist in the rice particles eaten by human beings on Ekadashi day and turn into worms in their stomach. This actually must have had a scientific reason as mentioned earlier so eating light or fasting on Ekadashi days helps our digestive system. And eating early on the next day, Dwadashi helps us equally.
The fortnightly Ekadashi fasting accompanied with healthy eating improves our insulin responsiveness, lowers blood cholesterol and may therefore prolong our life span. Apart from cleansing our blood and improving the functioning of kidneys and liver it also helps us to become strong mentally.
Spiritually also Ekadashi is uplifting as we spend time in prayers and meditation. Reading the Bhagwat Gita is highly recommended since it contains the philosophy for our peaceful coexistence in society. 
And of course vsiting a temple of Lord Vishnu where normally a special entrance called Vaikunta Dwara is erected on this day. Passing through this Dwara, door.or  passage on this auspicious day leads us to Vaikuntam, heaven.
For Mumbaikars a visit to the Ahobila Mutt temple, Chembur and live telecast on Doordarshan Podhigai Channel with inspirational discourse by our revered Guru, Shri. U.Ve. AnanthaPadmanabhaChariar, fondly known as APN Swamy is a must. This is followed by the Darshan of the Lord with Teertham, Holy water, which contains Cardamom,' 'Karpura'' ( edible camphor), ''Tulsi'' (Holy Basil), Clove, etc as an energised purifier and Shadaari, the representation of Vishnu’s feet in gold placed on your head after praying to the Lord, so that you may attain Salvation.
This year however sanitizer replaced the divine Teertham and thermal tester took place of the Shadaari. The doors of the temple did not open at anointed time early morning though we were blessed to receive Darshan later in the day 
My heart felt a bit heavy as we took Darshan of the Gods and the Goddess. Yet the aura and the energies emanating from the temple filled me with a ray of hope to keep open doors of positive thoughts. As if God and Lord Krishna was saying that when troubles cloud your way, don't give up, light  like the golden dawn will soon your path adorn, so don't look forlorn and dont give up....