Vaikuntha Ekadashi is one of the most sacred and anticipated observances in the Vaishnava
tradition, a day when devotees believe the very gates of heaven open to those who seek the grace
of Lord Vishnu. The day is woven with legend, devotion and ritual, creating a deep spiritual
atmosphere in homes and temples across India.
According to ancient scriptures, the story of this Ekadashi begins with the birth of Goddess Ekadashi
herself. She emerged from the divine energy of Lord Vishnu at a time when the demon Mura was
terrorising the celestial worlds. Endowed with extraordinary purity and strength, she destroyed
Mura on this very day, restoring peace. Pleased by her devotion and courage, Lord Vishnu blessed
her and proclaimed that anyone who observes the Ekadashi fast with sincerity would be freed from
their past sins and blessed with spiritual liberation. This moment became the foundation of
Vaikuntha Ekadashi as a symbol of victory over darkness and the soul’s journey toward light.
The observance falls in the Dhanur month of the solar calendar, known as Margazhi in Tamil
tradition, on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi. It may occur during the Margashirsha or Pausha lunar
months, and depending on the alignment of the solar and lunar calendars, some years may see
none, one or even two Vaikuntha Ekadashis in the Gregorian year. This rarity adds to the spiritual
intensity felt by devotees each time the festival arrives.
In different regions the observance carries different names, each capturing the essence of the day. In
Kerala it is known as Swarga Vathil Ekadashi, the Ekadashi of the heavenly gate. In Tirupati and
Srirangam, the day is celebrated with immense grandeur. Temples open the Vaikuntha Dwaram, a
sacred gateway within the temple complex. Devotees believe that passing through this symbolic
entrance brings divine blessings, protection and a sense of inner upliftment.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is also called Mukkoti Ekadashi, referring to the auspicious belief that three
crore divine beings gather and bless the world on this day. The fast undertaken by devotees is
considered one of the most spiritually powerful practices, said to cleanse accumulated karma and
open the path to moksha, the highest liberation. The day reflects Vishnu’s boundless compassion, as
it is believed that he opens the gates of his celestial abode to anyone who approaches him with
sincerity, humility and devotion.
The fasting ritual is observed with care. Devotees break their fast the next morning on Dwadashi
Tithi, after sunrise, and it must be done within the span of Dwadashi itself. The fast is not
traditionally broken during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi, as it is considered spiritually
sensitive. Most devotees choose the early morning period for breaking the fast, though if that time is
missed, the midday window is also considered acceptable. The precision of this observance reflects
the deep discipline associated with the practice.
In certain years when the calendar aligns in specific ways, Vaikuntha Ekadashi may be observed over
two consecutive days. Families following Smartha traditions generally observe the first day, while
sanyasis, widows and seekers focused on moksha observe the second. Vaishnavas typically choose
the second day as well, and some deeply devoted practitioners choose to fast on both days to
heighten their spiritual experience. These variations highlight the diversity within Hindu traditions
while reflecting a shared devotion to Lord Vishnu.
To many devotees, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is not merely a ritual but a passage. It is a day of inward
focus, of quiet devotion, of letting go of burdens held in the heart. Through prayer, fasting and
contemplation, devotees believe they come closer to the divine realm of Vaikuntha, a place
described in the scriptures as the abode of eternal peace, purity and bliss. The belief that the gates
of Vaikuntha open on this day is both symbolic and deeply spiritual, reminding us that with faith,
discipline and surrender, the gates to grace are always within reach.
