Srirangam (Tamil Nadu), Dec 21: A large number of devotees congregated at Ranganatha shrine here to celebrate the Vaikunta Ekadesi Festival.

Vaikunta Ekadasi occurs in December and Vaishnavits or worshippers of Lord Vishnu, believe that 'Vaikunta Dwaram' or 'the gate to Lord's Inner Sanctum' is opened on this day.

"I am coming here for the last 16-17 years and enjoying this festival very much. All my relatives come here every year, " said Krishnamurthy, a devotee.

On the occasion, the idol of the God bedecked in diamonds is taken out of the sanctum sanctorum to be placed at Thirumamani Mandapam (thousand pillared hall).

Lord Ranganatha then presides over his divine court and is visited by a large number of devotees.

The pilgrims sing devotional songs and chant religious hymns throughout the day.

It is believed that those who get audience of the Lord on this occasion find a place in the eternal abode.

"We have been told by one of our relatives that visiting Srirangam on the day of Vaikunth Ekadashi is very auspicious and it brings a lot of blessings etc, " said Sundareshan, a UAE based devotee.

The Ranganatha temple is one of the first to be built bythe Vaishnavite sect in southern India.

This temple is a fine example of Dravidian style architecture and is remarkable for the lofty gates known as Gopurams. (ANI)