Dhanurmasam begins
Wednesday, December 16
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, New Jersey, Dallas, Bay Area, Chicago, London, Sydney
At a glance
- Dhanurmasam begins
- Wednesday, December 16 · India and USA
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi
- Sunday, December 20 in India · Saturday, December 19 in the USA
- Gita Jayanti
- Sunday, December 20 in India · Saturday, December 19 in the USA
Vaikuntha Ekadashi wishes in Telugu and English
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The date in your city
Cities that share a date are grouped together. Where it differs from India, it’s highlighted.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Sunday, December 20
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, London, Sydney
Saturday, December 19
New Jersey, Dallas, Bay Area, Chicago
Gita Jayanti
Sunday, December 20
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, London, Sydney
Saturday, December 19
New Jersey, Dallas, Bay Area, Chicago
What is Vaikuntha Ekadashi?
Vaikuntha Ekadashi, also called Mukkoti Ekadashi, is the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight in Dhanurmasam. On this day the gates of Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's abode, are believed to open, and the three crore (mukkoti) gods come to see Him.
How it is celebrated
- 1
Uttara Dwara Darshanam
Vishnu temples open their northern gate (Uttara Dwaram), kept closed through the year, before dawn. Devotees queue from the night before to pass through it and see the Lord, at Tirumala, Bhadrachalam and Srirangam and in temples everywhere.
- 2
The fast
Many fast through the day without rice or grains, and break the fast the next morning, on Dwadashi, after puja.
- 3
Jagarana
Through the night, families stay awake singing bhajans, reciting the Vishnu Sahasranamam and listening to stories of the Lord.
- 4
Gita Jayanti
In 2026 it is also Gita Jayanti, the day Sri Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, and many read or recite the Gita.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Mukkoti Ekadashi, when the northern gate (Uttara Dwaram) of Vishnu temples opens. Devotees fast and pass through it for the Lord's darshan.
Questions
What is Vaikuntha Ekadashi?
Vaikuntha Ekadashi, also called Mukkoti Ekadashi, is the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight in Dhanurmasam. On this day the gates of Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's abode, are believed to open, and the three crore (mukkoti) gods come to see Him.
When is Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026?
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is on Sunday, December 20 in India and Saturday, December 19 in the USA.
Why is the date different in the USA?
A festival is kept on the day whose sunrise falls in the right tithi. Sunrise in America comes about 10 hours after sunrise in India, so the tithi at sunrise can differ and the festival can fall a day earlier or later. Always go by your own city’s date.
Can I get a reminder before each festival?
The Teluguvaari Calendar app sends an alert the evening before or the morning of every festival you choose, with the date for your own city. It is free, with no ads.