about adyena utsavam

 Pagal Pathu/Raa Pathu: Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated for 21 days in Srirangam. The First 10 days preceding Vaikunta Ekadasi is called Pagal Pathu. Then comes the important Vaikunta Ekadasi Day and then the 10 days following this day is called Raa Pathu. As the names suggest, Pagal pathu is when the festivities are done during the day. Raa pathu has festivities during the night. On the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, the Lord is decorated grandly (it is a popular belief that once upon a time, the now famous 'Orloff' Russian Diamond adorned the Lord) and carried to the Parama Pada Vaasal, which is the northern gate of the temple. This is the 'Vaikunta Vaasal' and is only opened once a year - on this day. The crowd that comes to witness this event has to be seen to be believed. It is a common belief that the real Vaikunta vaasal in heaven (Heaven's doors) open on this day. Nam-Azhwar attained moksha today. It also a popular belief that people who die today are destined for moksha. At the end of the first 15 days of thiurpaavai, Andal would have woken up all her thozhi's. Tomorrow, on Dwadesi, she would request permission from Dwara-Balakars (Guardian's of Vishnu's door) to enter the lord's abode and visit him. ("Nayakanai nindra nandagopan'udaiya kovil kaapane, kodi thondrum thorana vaayil kaapane, manikathavam thaal thiravai")