The Padma Purana describes that once during the Krita (Satya) Yuga, a great demon, Mura attained immense powers by performing great austerities. The demigods were defeated by him and headed by Indra they took shelter of Lord Shiva, who guided them saying that Lord Vishnu alone could solve their tribulation. Accepting the prayers of the demigods, Lord Vishnu fought with Mura. During the long battle, which lasted one thousand celestial years, Vishnu needed to rest for a while. He also realized that Mura could not be destroyed by his conventional ayudhas, and needed a different ayudha, one against which Mura would be vulnerable. He entered a beautiful cave called Himavati in Badarikashrama to rest, and forms the new ayudha. Mura wanted to strike Vishnu while he was sleeping. However, Vishnu made Shakti - Vishnu's female energy - emerge out of His body and assume the form of a beautiful damsel who fought Mura and reduced him to ashes with one look. When Vishnu awoke he was very pleased and named this maiden as Ekadashi and granted her a boon. The maiden said, "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver people from the greatest sins if they fast of this day". Vishnu granted her the boon and declared that people worshipping her would reach Vaikuntha. Thus, it is said, was born the first Ekadashi, which was a Dhanur masa sukla paksha Ekadashi.

One earthly year corresponds to one day in Deva loka. The earthly year is divided into two parts based on the transit of Sun. The northerly transit of the Sun is called Uttarayana. This corresponds to the calendar months from January to June and lunar months from Margasirsa masa to Ashada masa. The southern transit of the Sun is termed as Dakshinayana which corresponds to the calendar months from June to December. For the heavenly planets Uttarayanam corresponds to the DAY and Dakshinayanam to the NIGHT. Maragsirsa masa, which generally falls in last month of Dakshinayana corresponds to the pre-dawn and during the 11th day of lunar month (Ekadashi), is the time when the dawn just about begins. Hence it is considered auspicious for the propitiation of the supreme Lord Vishnu, as He appears to the denizens of heaven and blesses them.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi - Spiritual Significance

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Vaikuntha Ekadashi Preaparations