Published On : October 6, 2022  |  Author : Astrologer Umesh
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi Is Quite A Religious Celebration

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is an auspicious day in the Hindu religion that marks reverential regard paid to divine lords, Vishnu and Shiva in their respective shrines or together. The day is also known as the meeting of Hari-Har, meaning the meeting of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Vaikuntha Chaturdashi festival is celebrated by devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva at their respective temples. Varanasi, Maharashtra, and Ujjain are the main places where Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is chiefly celebrated.

On this day, one can witness the city of Ujjain ornate in religious fashion commemorating the celebration of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi in grand manners. The procession of gods is led through the middle of the city and reaches Mahakaleshwar temple. The outstanding celebration of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi bears stark resemblance to how Diwali is celebrated in the city of Ujjain.

What Is The Significance Of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is quite a religious celebration commemorating the meeting of two divine lords, Vishnu and Shiva. For this reason, the festival is believed to be highly pious and significant for the devotees of these deities. Reverential regard is paid to these deities in their respective temples by devotees. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is celebrated lavishly, as the city of Ujjain and other places witnessing the celebration of the festival experience a Diwali-like grandeur and religious fervor shown by devotees.

When Is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi Celebrated?

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is celebrated in Chaturdashi of Kartika Shukla.

According to religious beliefs, Lord Vishnu signifies all the auspicious works. However, since he goes into the state of slumber for four months (Yognidra), all the auspicious works are prohibited to be done during these four months. During these periods, Lord Shiva takes the charge of executing all the auspicious works left by Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu wakes up from his divine slumber, Lord Shiva hands over all the works to him. This timeline of assigning the works to Vishnu by Shiva is called Vaikuntha Chaturdashi.

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Vrat Stories Of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Story 01 –

Lord Vishnu leaves his divine abode (Vaikuntha) to worship Lord Shiva in Varanasi. There, he worships Lord Shiva with thousands of lotuses. He became so engrossed in performing Shiva Pujan that when he opens his eyes, all the lotuses are gone. Seeing this, he donates one of his eyes called Kamal-Nayan (lotus-like eye) to Lord Shiva. This pleases Lord Shiva a lot and he appears before Lord Vishnu. Later, Lord Shiva returns him his eye, and gifts him a precious Sudarshan Chakra.

Story 02 –

A brahman by the name of Dhaneshwar was an evil-doer. He sinned countless times. One day he went to take a bath in a Godavari river. Coincidentally, that day happened to be Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. The bank of the Godavari was crowded with devotees to take a holy bath in the river. Since the brahman came in contact with those devotees at Godavari bank, it caused absolution of the sins committed by Dhaneshwar so far, and eventually he got divine salvation after his death.

How Is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi Celebrated?

  • In Ujjain, a grand procession is organised. Devotees dance, sing, and burst firecrackers. Thereafter, they worship Lord Shiva in the Mahakaleshwar temple.
  • Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day. Devotees visit Vishnu shrines and celebrate the festival.
  • Holy baths are taken in sacred rivers, believing doing so means the removal of sins of devotees.
  • The day commemorates the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his Yognidra.
  • Devotees observe fast on this day.
  • Deep-dan is done at the bank of Ganga.

What Is The Legend Behind Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?

Once Lord Narada visited Vaikuntha to meet Lord Vishnu. On being asked about his visitation, Narada said that the common earthlings who worship you don’t get your kindness and attention. Was there a way so that they could get your divine favour and kindness? At this, Lord Vishnu answered, saying any common individual who performs my worship by observing fast on Kartika Shukla Chaturdashi would get salvation and a place in my abode. This later started off Vaikuntha Chaturdashi as a religious observance to attain divine favours of Lord Vishnu and salvation.

Conclusion

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is quite a religious and auspicious festival that commemorates the meeting of two divine lords, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This is what extends the religious significance of the festival. Devotees of these deities worship them at their respective temples and shrines. The festival has its significant religious importance, blessing devotees with peace, happiness and divine salvation.

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