వైకుంఠ ఏకాదశి
Vaikunta Ekadashi (Mukkoti Ekadashi)
26 December 2026 | Vaishnava Festival
Vaikunta Ekadashi, also called Mukkoti Ekadashi, is the holiest Ekadashi in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the gates of Vaikuntha (Vishnu's abode) are opened on this day, and devotees who observe the vrat attain liberation.
Significance
According to the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu created Goddess Ekadashi from his body to defeat the demon Muran. Pleased with her, he declared that anyone who fasts on Ekadashi will be freed from sins. On Vaikunta Ekadashi specifically, Vishnu is said to open the celestial gates of Vaikuntha — the Paramapada Vasal — through which devotees who pass on this day attain moksha. It is also called Mukkoti Ekadashi because three crore (mukkoti) devas are believed to descend to earth and worship Vishnu.
Date & Muhurtam
Vaikunta Ekadashi 2026 falls on Saturday, 26 December, the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Margashirsha (Dhanurmasa) month. Devotees take a holy bath in Brahma Muhurtam (4:30 AM to 6:00 AM) and visit Vishnu temples to pass through the symbolic Vaikuntha Dwaram. The Parana (breaking of fast) is performed on Dwadashi morning (27 December) within the prescribed muhurtam after sunrise.
Rituals & Traditions
Devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise on Ekadashi until sunrise on Dwadashi. They visit Vishnu temples to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram (the northern gate symbolically opened only on this day). Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhagavad Gita, and Tiruppavai is performed. Devotees stay awake the whole night (Jagaran) singing bhajans and listening to Vishnu kathas. Tulsi leaves are offered to the Lord, and the Ekadashi vrata katha is read.
Regional Variations
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival is grandly observed at the Tirumala Tirupati temple, where devotees throng to pass through the Vaikuntha Dwaram. The Bhadrachalam Rama temple also holds elaborate celebrations. In Tamil Nadu, the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple hosts the world-famous 21-day Vaikunta Ekadashi utsavam with the Paramapada Vasal opening. Kerala's Guruvayur temple sees massive devotee turnout. North India observes it as Mokshada Ekadashi, the day when Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
Mantras & Prayers
ఓం నమో భగవతే వాసుదేవాయ |
శాంతాకారం భుజగశయనం పద్మనాభం సురేశం |
విశ్వాధారం గగన సదృశం మేఘవర్ణం శుభాంగమ్ ||
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva — of peaceful form, reclining on the serpent, with a lotus from his navel, lord of the gods, supporter of the universe, vast as the sky, dark as a cloud, and most auspicious in form.
Fasting Rules
The Ekadashi fast is the strictest among Hindu vratas. Devotees abstain from rice, grains, beans, and lentils — these are absolutely prohibited. Permitted foods include fruits, milk, nuts, and root vegetables for Phalahar observers. Strict devotees observe Nirjala (waterless) fast. The fast begins at sunrise on Ekadashi and ends after Parana on Dwadashi morning. Devotees stay awake all night, avoid sleeping during the day, and refrain from negative speech and actions. Breaking the fast must be done within the Parana muhurtam to gain full merit.
About Vaikunta Ekadashi (వైకుంఠ ఏకాదశి · Mukkoti Ekadashi)
Mythological Background
Vaikunta Ekadashi is the most sacred of the 24 Ekadashis in a year, falling on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Pushya month (Dhanurmasa Shukla Ekadashi in Tamil/Telugu tradition). According to the Padma Purana, on this day Lord Vishnu opens the gates of Vaikuntha (his celestial abode) and accepts even casual devotees who fast on this day. The Vishnu Purana states that observing this Ekadashi grants the merit of all other 23 Ekadashis combined. The "Mukkoti" (3 crore = 30 million) name refers to the belief that 30 million devas come down to take darshan of Vishnu through the special Vaikunta Dwaram (Heavenly Gate) opened in major Vishnu temples on this day.
Detailed Rituals and Observance
Strict 24-hour fast from sunrise on Ekadashi morning until sunrise on Dwadashi (the next day). Nirjala (without water) is the ideal observance, but phalahara (only fruits, milk, sabudana) is accepted. Major temples open their special Vaikunta Dwaram (a normally-sealed gate or passage) only on this day — passing through it is believed to grant moksha. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) sees ~500,000 devotees on this day. Devotees observe night vigil (Jagaran) reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhagavad Gita, and singing bhajans. Specific items: tulsi leaves (essential for Vishnu worship), turmeric, sandalwood paste, fresh flowers, panchamrita, fruits, milk, and a Vishnu/Krishna idol.
Regional Variations Across India
Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh) — the Vaikunta Dwaram darshan at Tirupati is the largest single-day pilgrimage in India. Srirangam (Tamil Nadu) — the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple opens its special Paramapadha Vasal (Vaikunta gate) and the 21-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is the longest temple festival in the world. Andhra-Telangana observes household fast and temple visits. Karnataka's Udupi Krishna Temple sees major celebrations. North India observes Putrada Ekadashi on the same day (a different name, same lunar date) — particularly observed by couples desiring children.
Mantras and Prayers
Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu — recited entirely on Ekadashi night, takes ~45 minutes). Vishnu Ashtakshara Mantra: "Om Namo Narayanaya" (108 times). Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 (Bhakti Yoga) — short and central to Ekadashi observance. Hare Krishna Mahamantra (108 rounds = 1728 mantras). Sri Vishnu Suktam from the Rigveda. Vaikuntashtakam: "Vande Visheshavidushkrt Madyamala..."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between regular Ekadashi and Vaikunta Ekadashi?
There are 24 Ekadashis in a normal year (2 per lunar month). Vaikunta Ekadashi is the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Pushya/Margashirsha month. It is considered the most powerful Ekadashi — the merit of one Vaikunta Ekadashi is said to equal all other Ekadashis of the year combined. Major Vishnu temples open their normally-sealed Vaikunta Dwaram only on this day.
Should one fast even from water on Vaikunta Ekadashi?
Traditional observance is nirjala (without water, called "ajala" Ekadashi). Strict observance is held by experienced practitioners. Modern observance accepts phalahara (fruits, milk, water, sabudana). Children, elderly, sick, and pregnant women are exempt — they should observe only what their health permits. Fast is broken on Dwadashi morning before the Dwadashi tithi ends.
Can I observe Vaikunta Ekadashi at home if I cannot visit a temple?
Yes. The fast and Vishnu worship at home grant the same merit per the Padma Purana. Set up a small altar with a Vishnu/Krishna idol, observe the fast, recite Vishnu Sahasranama in the evening, perform an evening puja with tulsi leaves, observe the night vigil at least until 10 PM, and break fast the next morning. The Vaikunta Dwaram darshan is a bonus blessing, not a requirement.
Related Observances
Krishna Janmashtami · Kartika Purnima · Vedic Calendar 2026 · Muhurtam Finder
All dates and timings on this page are computed using the Lahiri (Chitrapaksha) ayanamsa — the Indian national standard since 1957. Editorial methodology reviewed by Pandit Ramachandra Sharma (Jyotisha Visharada, 22+ years of practice in South Indian Vedic tradition).