Vaikunta Ekadasi is on Sunday, 20 December 2026. The Ekadasi tithi begins at 10:09 pm on Saturday 19 December and ends at 8:14 pm on Sunday 20 December; the fast is broken (parana) on Monday 21 December between about 7:10 and 9:13 am. It is the Ekadasi of the Margazhi month, when Vishnu temples open the Sorgavasal (Paramapada Vasal), the northern gate, before dawn. At Srirangam the gate opens early on the 20th and tens of thousands pass through it.
In most Tamil homes the day is kept with a fast, an early bath, a simple Perumal pooja and, if possible, a temple visit for the Sorgavasal darshan.
1. Dates and timings
| Vaikunta Ekadasi | Sunday, 20 December 2026 |
| Ekadasi tithi | 10:09 pm Sat 19 Dec to 8:14 pm Sun 20 Dec |
| Parana (breaking the fast) | Mon 21 Dec, about 7:10–9:13 am |
| Sorgavasal opening at Srirangam | Early hours of Sun 20 Dec (temple announces exact time) |
Timings are from Drik Panchang; local temples publish their own darshan times.
2. How the fast is kept
There are three common levels, and families choose by health and age:
- Nirjala: no food or water from the previous night until parana. Kept by the devout and the healthy.
- Phalahara: fruits, milk, nuts and water only. The most common in Tamil homes.
- One meal: a single meal of rice-free food such as sabudana, fruits or roasted aval. Elders, children and those on medication keep this.
Rice and grains are avoided by everyone on Ekadasi. Many also keep a vigil (jagaran) on the night of the 20th with Vishnu Sahasranamam or Thiruppavai pasurams.
3. The Perumal pooja at home
The pooja is simple and is done after the early morning bath:
- Light the lamp with cow ghee or sesame oil using cotton wicks
- Decorate the Perumal picture or idol with tulasi leaves, flowers and a kalasam cloth behind it
- Apply thiruman and srichoornam, or sandalwood powder and kumkum
- Light incense and cup sambrani
- Offer the naivedyam and do the camphor aarti
- Chant Vishnu Sahasranamam, the Thiruppavai pasuram for the day, or "Om Namo Narayanaya" 108 times
4. Naivedyam for Ekadasi
Because grain is avoided, the offerings are fruit and milk based:
- Fruits, especially bananas, and dried coconut
- Panchamirtham made with banana, honey, ghee, jaggery, dates and cardamom
- Sugar candy, raisins and cashews
- Milk and tulasi theertham
On parana morning, the fast is broken with a simple grain meal, often ven pongal or curd rice, after offering it to Perumal.
5. Vaikunta Ekadasi checklist
- Ghee or sesame oil, wicks
- Tulasi leaves and flowers
- Thiruman, srichoornam or sandal and kumkum
- Incense, sambrani, camphor
- Fruits, honey, jaggery, dates, cardamom for panchamirtham
- Sugar candy, raisins, cashews
- Kalasam cloth for the altar
Getting ready for Vaikunta Ekadasi?
Everything in this list is in stock at Siva Pooja Store, Big Bazaar Street, Dindigul. Visit the store, order at sivapoojastore.com, or WhatsApp 91507 87862.
Common questions
What is the Vaikunta Ekadasi 2026 date? Sunday, 20 December 2026. Parana is on Monday 21 December morning.
Can I drink water during the fast? On a phalahara fast, yes: water, milk, fruit and nuts are allowed. Only a nirjala fast excludes water.
Why is rice avoided on Ekadasi? Tradition holds that grain is not eaten on any Ekadasi; the day is for lighter food and more time in prayer. Fruits, milk, sabudana and roasted aval are the usual substitutes.
Which temples in and near Dindigul open the Sorgavasal? Vishnu temples generally open a Paramapada Vasal for the day. Check the timings at your nearest Perumal temple a few days before, as most open before dawn.