Vishnupadee Punyakalam
Vishnupathi Punyakalam is an auspicious time period for worshiping Lord Vishnu and performing Vishnu Pooja. This is an important event in Vaishnava Sampradhaya. This punyakala- auspicious time occurs four times in a Vedic year, once in every three months defined by the Sun transitory motion into ‘fixed’ signs- Taurus, Aquarius, Scorpio and Leo. The belief is that Lord Vishnu as a Preserver energy of the Holy Trinity, performed numerous divine acts towards the welfare of the universe during this Vishnupada Parva Punyakala.
Vishnupadee Punyakalam 2023
Mon , 13th Feb 2023
Significance
Vishnupathi Punyakalam is a powertimes dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his vahana Lord Garuda. Four Vishnupathi Punyakalam days are closely related with the Tamil Vaishnava sampradhaya. Lord Vishnu’s energy is easily accessible for the entire day. As per the Vaishnava beliefs, Lord Vishnu took various avatars to rescue the world such as Varaha Avatar-wild boar or Kalinga Narthana to save Madhura or Narasimha avatar and performed miracles for his beloved devotees during this powertime. Hence, seeking Lord Vishnu’s blessings in this powertime that lasts for about 9 hours paves way for material and spiritual ‘moksha’ and frees from the cycle of birth and death. Lord Garuda blesses material prosperity, quick dissolution of mental block and impurities.
Rituals
The propitious powertime or Vishnupathi punyakala is from 1:30 am to 10:30 am and Vaishnavites observe various sadhanas and special Vishnu poojas during this time to please the Lord. This day is considered as a Day of Vishnu Consciousness. Chanting the "1000 divine names of Lord Maha Vishnu " – the Vishnu Sahasranama sloka is an important spiritual practice performed especially on Vishnupathi days. Devotees wake up during Brahma muhurtha, around 4.30AM, take a holy bath, meditate on Vishnu Sahasranama and “Om Namo Narayana” Mantra or “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya”. After sanctifying the worship altar and setting the Idol of Lord Vishnu along with Lord Garuda for pooja, family gathers and begin their worship. Pooja is performed by offering fruits, fragrant flowers, Holy Tulsi leaves, dhoop and incense, chant Vishnu Sahasranama and Vishnu slokas. Offer neivedhyam and perform aarti. During this period of Vishnupathi Punyakalam devotees chant the divine names of Sri Hari and listen to His glorious miracles. This day highly auspicious to create a stronger bond with Lord Vishnu and merge with His Supreme Power.