Vaikuntha Ekadashi: Timings, Rituals, Significance

Vaikuntha Ekadashi, celebrated under various names throughout India, occurs on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi which falls in the month of Dhanu or Dhanurmaas. What sets this Ekadashi apart is its distinctive observance in alignment with the Solar Calendar, in contrast to other Ekadashis that follow Lunar months. The Solar Calendar is predominantly used in the South Indian and East Indian states. This date corresponds to the Hindu Lunar months of Margashirsha (Agrahayana) to Pausha, while that of December to January for the Gregorian calendar.

The day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi is auspicious for Vaishnavism followers as it is believed that ‘Vaikuntha Dwaram’ that is the gateway to Lord Vishnu’s abode, opens up on this day. Therefore it is believed that a person who keeps a sacred fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi will definitely reach the ‘Vaikuntha’ and never has to face Yama Raja, the Lord of Death.

Hindu devotees observe Vaikuntha Ekadashi with full enthusiasm and zeal all across the country. In the southern states of India, this ekadashi is often known as ‘Mukkoti Ekadashi’ and is celebrated in the month of ‘Margazhi’ in the Tamilian calendar. In Kerala, according to the Malayalam Calendar, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is celebrated as ‘Swargavathil Ekadashi’. On this day special prayers, discourses, speeches and yagnas are organized at the temple of Lord Vishnu, in different parts of the world. In India, the celebrations in the temples of ‘Tirumala Venkateswar Temple’ at Tirupati, the ‘Mahalakshmi Temple’ at Gubbi , the ‘Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple’ at Srirangam and ‘Rajagopalaswamy Temple’ at Mannargudi is very renowned. The festivities are very grandeur particularly in South Indian temples that are dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025 is on January 10 Friday

8 months and 10 days to go for the event

Rituals during Vaikuntha Ekadashi:

• On the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, observers keep a strict fast. They do not eat or drink anything all through the day. The person who desires to keep the Vaikuntha Ekadashi fast should only eat once on ‘dashami’ (10th day). Complete fasting is observed on ekadashi. Devotees, who are not capable to fast completely, can even eat fruits and milk. Eating rice and grains is not allowed on any ekadashi, for everyone.
• Special prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu and the observer of this vrat is engaged in ‘Japa’ (chanting Vishnu’s name) and ‘Dhyana’ (meditation). On the night of Vaikuntha Ekadashi, devotees stay awake and spend time listening stories and singing bhajans in praise of Lord Vishnu.
• As on the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi it is believed that the ‘Gates of Heaven’ are opened, devotees in large number visit Lord Vishnu temples in the evening. The region encircling the temple is known as ‘Vaikuntha Vaasal’ and Lord Vishnu followers throng to enter this area and seek Lord Vishnu.

Important Timings On Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025

Significance of Vaikuntha Ekadashi:

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is an auspicious and important day for Hindus. The greatness of this sacred day has been described in several Hindu religious scriptures like ‘Padma Purana’. As per the legends, it is believed that fasting on the day of Vaikuntha Ekadashi gives the same benefits as obtained by fasting on the remaining 23rd ekadashis in the Hindu calendar. Devotees perform the Vaikuntha Ekadashi fast to be liberated from their sins and attain salvation.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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