Sri Vaikuntha Ekadashi was celebrated on 30 December 2025 with great zeal and devotion at both ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar and ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill, Vasantapura temples.
ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill
At ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill, the celebrations commenced at 3 AM with Maha Mangalarati to Sri Srinivasa Govinda amidst divine chanting of Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam.
Sri Srinivasa Govinda Maha Abhisheka
Maha Mangalarati was followed by a magnificent Maha Abhishekha to Sri Srinivasa Govinda.
Auspicious invocation prayers were sung, followed by Guru Puja and Shodashopachara seva, expressing a deep desire to serve the Lord through meditation on His resplendent form. The Lord was welcomed by offering a seat, sanctified water to His lotus feet, lotus hands, and lotus mouth. He was offered milk, curd, and honey, followed by a gentle sandalwood oil massage.
The Lord was bathed with many auspicious items such as panchamrita, panchagavya, milk, honey, tender coconut water, fruit juices, and various herbal waters. Devotees rejoiced at the sight of the beautiful turmeric and Tulasi mala alankara. Sri Srinivasa Govinda was offered dhupa and arati amidst the chanting of “Govinda Hari Govinda” bhajans. The gentle smile of the Lord shone brightly during the deeparati performed with various lamps.
Pallakki Seva and Dwara Puja
Majestically garlanded Pallakki carrying Sri Radha Krishnachandra emerged from behind the large curtains in the temple hall, amidst grand musical instruments and kirtans glorifying the Lord. The Pallakki was taken around the temple walkway with chatra, chamara, and danda seva, and later reached the Vaikuntha Dwara.
Sri Chanchalapati Dasa, Senior Vice President of ISKCON Bangalore, welcomed the devotees gathered to observe the opening ceremony of Vaikuntha Dwara. He spoke about the importance of realising our fleeting existence and using this short human life to serve God and reach the eternal abode, as the Lord Himself invites us to come to Him.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore, addressed the gathering. He inspired everyone to remember the intrinsic relationship each soul has with the Lord and explained how easy it is to connect with God through chanting the Maha Mantra.
After the Ashirvachana, the Vaikuntha Dwara puja was performed. The Dwara program included unveiling Their Lordships to the devotees through the majestic golden doors, accompanied by a royal shower of flowers. A grand golden door was erected where Sri Radha Krishnachandra were seated on Anantadeva at the Vaikuntha Dwara, blessing all devotees.
As the curtains were unveiled, loud conch shell sounds echoed, further enhancing the spiritual atmosphere. Their Lordships were offered Venkateshwara Stotram and Sangita Seva by Vid. Varijashree Venugopal, along with bhajan offerings using nadaswaram and other devotional instruments.
Devotees entered the Vaikuntha Dwara with hearts filled with devotion, chanting the holy names of the Lord.
Many devotional activities continued throughout the day, including Kalyanotsava and various archana sevas. The grand Kalyanotsava was conducted for Lord Sri Krishna along with His divine consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama in accordance with elaborate Vedic rituals.
Every corner of the temple was decorated with beautiful floral arrangements, creating a vibrant devotional atmosphere. Palm-frond parrots, tender plantain trees with banana bunches, fragrant jasmine, delicate orchids, and colorful chrysanthemums adorned the temple premises, adding elegance and beauty to the celebrations.
Volunteers enthusiastically distributed books of Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada. Devotional activities such as Maha Mantra chanting, Tulasi archana, and prasadam distribution were organized.
ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill
At Vaikuntha Hill, the Sri Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations were unveiled with all the grand ceremonial rituals, starting at 4 AM with the Mangala Arati to Sri Radha Krishnachandra and Suprabhata Seva to Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda, along with Venkateshwara Suprabhatam, Chamara Seva, and the blowing of the conch shell.
Soon after, the Pallakki procession of Sri Rajagopala along with His consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama began. The temple pathway echoed with holy chants and rhythms of cymbals, drums and kartals, as Their Lordships moved gracefully in procession. The divine Pallakki swung its way to the Vaikuntha Dwara in a royal procession under a huge dazzling umbrella, between four beautifully decorated colorful dhvajas held at all four corners, with Their Lordships receiving Vyajana Seva in the center.
The Dwara Puja ceremony began with the Ashirvachana of Sri Vasudeva Keshava Dasa, Senior Vice President of ISKCON Bangalore. In his address, he spoke about the Lord’s unlimited and wonderful powers. He reminded devotees that those who develop faith in the Lord and His pastimes can easily reach His supreme abode, and that attaining this goal should be the purpose of our lives.
Amidst the beautiful music of the Nadaswaram and the loud sound of conch shells, the curtains opened to reveal the divine darshan of Sri Rajagopala, Rukmini, and Satyabhama, majestically seated on Lord Ananta. As devotees joyfully showered flowers on Their Lordships, the entire atmosphere became filled with devotion and spiritual bliss.
After the Sangita Seva, devotees received the Lord’s blessings by passing through the Vaikuntha Dwara.
A grand Kalyanotsava was also celebrated at Vaikuntha Hill. Devotees participated in the divine wedding ceremony of Sri Srinivasa with His consorts, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The Lord and His consorts were seated in great splendour on a golden throne inside the ornate Kalyana Mantapa, adorned with banana plants and colorful flower garlands.
The marriage ceremony included detailed Vedic rituals such as punya vachana, sankalpa, vara pariksha, and many auspicious offerings to seek the Lord’s blessings, followed by the sacred mangalya dharana.
The celebrations at ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill and ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill concluded with many devotees visiting ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill and ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill to have divine darshan of Their Lordships and receive immense blessings throughout the day on the auspicious day of Sri Vaikuntha Ekadashi.