Vaikunta Ekadasi – Significance, Rituals, Spiritual Benefits & How
to Observe This Auspicious Day
Vaikunta
Ekadasi is one of the most sacred fasting days dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Learn
its significance, rituals, fasting rules, history, Vaikunta Dwaram details, and
how devotees celebrate Vaikunta Ekadasi across India.
🌟 What is Vaikunta
Ekadasi?
Vaikunta
Ekadasi, also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi, is one of the most important
Ekadasis observed by devotees of Lord Vishnu. It falls in the Shukla
Paksha Ekadashi of the Margashirsha month (December–January).
According
to scriptures, on this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram (Door to Heaven) opens,
allowing devotees to attain spiritual upliftment, peace, and liberation from
past karma.
This
Ekadasi is celebrated with grand devotion in all Vishnu temples, especially in Tirumala,
Srirangam, Bhadrachalam, Yadadri, and Mahavishnu temples across India.
🌼 Significance of
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Vaikunta Ekadasi is considered the King
of Ekadasis because:
✔ Gateway to
Moksha Opens
It is believed that Lord Vishnu opens the
Vaikunta Dwaram, symbolising divine grace and the removal of obstacles
from the devotee’s life.
✔ Destroys
Sins & Negative Karma
Observing the fast of this day destroys
accumulated sins of previous births and purifies the mind and body.
✔ Blessings
of Prosperity & Protection
Devotees believe that Lord Vishnu
protects them from misfortune, fear, and planetary issues when this vrata is
observed sincerely.
✔ Benefits
Multipled 100 Times
Scriptures say that the punya (spiritual
merit) gained on Vaikunta Ekadasi is 100 times greater than other
Ekadasis.
📖 Mythological Background
According to Padma Purana and Vishnu
Purana:
- A demon named Muran troubled the
Devas.
- Lord Vishnu created a powerful female energy
called Ekadashi who destroyed Muran.
- Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu
blessed Ekadashi Tithi and declared it a sacred day.
- Those who observe Ekadasi with sincerity
will receive His divine protection and liberation.
1. Early Morning Rituals
- Wake up during Brahma Muhurtham (4–6 AM)
- Take a holy bath, preferably with sesame
seeds
- Wear clean or traditional clothes
2. Fasting (Upavasam)
You can follow different types of fasting
based on ability:
○ Nirjala Fasting:
No food or water for 24 hours (highly
spiritual but optional).
○ Phalahara Fasting:
Fruits, milk, coconut water allowed.
○ Simple Ekadasi Fasting:
Avoid rice, wheat, pulses – eat items
like sabudana, fruits, and vegetables.
Avoid:
Rice, non-veg, garlic, onion, grains.
3. Temple Visits
Visiting Vishnu temples and entering the Vaikunta
Dwaram/Swarga Dwaram brings immense blessing.
Here are the list of temples in Telangana
and Hyderabad. You can visit any of these temples on Vaikunta Ekadasai Day.
Ranganadha Swamy Temple : NallaGandla
Hyderabad
Ranganadha Swamy Temple : Andole ,
Jogipet , Telangana
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganatha-swamy-temple-andole-telangana-502273/
Goda Ranganadha Swamy Temple , Thorrur ,
Hyderabad
Ranganadha Swamy Temple , Nanakramguda ,
Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganathaswamy-temple-nanakaramguda-hyderabad-telangana-500032/
Ranganadha Swamy Temple Jiyaguda,
Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganatha-swamy-temple-jiyaguda-hyderabad-telangana-500006/
Swayambhu Sri Ranganadha Swamy Temple,
Gandicheruvu , Hyderabad
Sri Godha Devi , Ranganadha Swamy Temple
, Edulabad , Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-godha-devi-rangandha-swamy-devalayam-edulabad-telangana-501505/
Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple , IDL
Moosapet , Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/ranganayaka-swamy-temple-idl-moosapet-hyderabad-telangana/
4. Chanting & Pooja
Chant Vishnu mantras such as:
- “Om Namo Narayanaya”
- “Vishnu Sahasranamam”
- Govinda Namalu
Lighting lamps with ghee and offering
tulsi is highly auspicious.
5. Staying Awake at Night – Jagaran
Many devotees spend the night chanting
and participating in Bhajans.
🕉️ What Not to Do on Vaikunta Ekadasi
- Avoid tamasic foods (onion, garlic, meat,
alcohol).
- Avoid anger, arguments, or negative
thoughts.
- Avoid sleeping during the daytime.
- Do not consume rice (it is believed sin
rests in rice on this day).
🌿 Foods Allowed & Not Allowed
✔ Allowed
Foods
- Fruits, milk, dry fruits
- Sabudana khichdi
- Sama rice (barnyard millet)
- Potatoes, paneer
- Coconut water
✘ Avoid
These
- Rice items
- Wheat/maida items
- Lentils & dals
- Non-veg
- Alcohol
✨ Vaikunta Dwaram /
Uttara Dwaram
A very special feature of this festival
is the opening of the Uttara Dwara Darshan, symbolising the gate to
Vaikunta.
Popular temples where Vaikunta Dwaram is
opened:
- Tirumala Tirupati
- Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple
- Bhadrachalam Rama Temple
- Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Simhachalam
Please visit different Ranganadha Swamy Temples in Telangana and links
are as below
Ranganadha Swamy Temple : NallaGandla
Hyderabad
Ranganadha Swamy Temple : Andole ,
Jogipet , Telangana
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganatha-swamy-temple-andole-telangana-502273/
Goda Ranganadha Swamy Temple , Thorrur ,
Hyderabad
Ranganadha Swamy Temple , Nanakramguda ,
Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganathaswamy-temple-nanakaramguda-hyderabad-telangana-500032/
Ranganadha Swamy Temple Jiyaguda,
Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-ranganatha-swamy-temple-jiyaguda-hyderabad-telangana-500006/
Swayambhu Sri Ranganadha Swamy Temple,
Gandicheruvu , Hyderabad
Sri Godha Devi , Ranganadha Swamy Temple
, Edulabad , Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-godha-devi-rangandha-swamy-devalayam-edulabad-telangana-501505/
Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple , IDL
Moosapet , Hyderabad
https://ourtemples.info/temple/ranganayaka-swamy-temple-idl-moosapet-hyderabad-telangana/
Also read article on Ranganadha Swamy temples to visit in Hyderabad
and Telangana
🎉 Festivals &
Events on This Day
- Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi Darshan attracts millions of devotees.
- Srirangam 21-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival (the biggest in India).
- Special Abhishekams, Sahasranama Archana,
Laksha Deepotsavam in many temples.
🚗 How to Celebrate
At Home (Simple Method)
- Clean the house and pooja altar
- Place a photo/idol of Lord Vishnu
- Light a ghee lamp
- Offer tulsi leaves
- Read Vishnu Sahasranamam
- Perform archana with flowers
- Do charity (Annadanam is very auspicious)
📝 Summary
Vaikunta
Ekadasi is a highly auspicious day to connect with Lord Vishnu and seek His
divine blessings. Fasting, chanting, visiting temples, entering Vaikunta
Dwaram, and doing charity are important rituals that uplift your spiritual
energy and bring peace, prosperity, and protection.
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Temples to visit on Ekadasi