Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025: Date, Rituals, and Spiritual Significance

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a sacred day in the Hindu calendar dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Observed on the 11th day of the waxing or waning lunar phases, it holds profound spiritual and religious importance. In 2025, Vaikuntha Ekadashi falls on Friday, marking the first major Ekadashi of the year.

Devotees believe that observing this day with fasting and prayers leads to liberation from sins and opens the gates to Vaikuntha, or heaven. This day is celebrated widely in South India, with grand rituals performed in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, including the famous Tirupati Temple.

Ekadashi Tithi begins on Thursday at 12:22 pm and ends on Friday at 10:19 am. The recommended time for breaking the fast, known as Parana, is on Saturday between 7:14 am and 8:21 am. The Dwadashi Tithi concludes at 8:21 am on the same day.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi occurs during the Dhanurmasa or Margazhi month in Tamil traditions. According to the Hindu solar calendar, it may fall in the lunar months of Pausha or Margashirsha. Observing fasts and performing rituals on this day is believed to grant moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Temples in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, see large gatherings of devotees offering prayers and participating in rituals. The Tirupati Temple is a focal point of these celebrations, where the Vaikuntha Dwaram, symbolizing the gates to heaven, is ceremonially opened. Fasting is a central practice on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. Devotees take a vow, or sankalp, to observe a strict fast and break it only during the prescribed Parana time on Dwadashi Tithi.

Prayers are offered by lighting lamps and presenting flowers, fruits, and tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu. Chanting mantras is an integral part of the day, with popular verses including:

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Ram Ram Raameti Rame Raame Manorame Sahasranama Tatulyam Ram Naam Varanane

Devotees visit Vishnu temples to participate in special ceremonies and seek blessings. Breaking the fast during the correct Parana time is considered crucial to receiving the full spiritual benefits of the observance. This Ekadashi is particularly significant in South India, where it is observed with devotion and elaborate rituals. In Tamil Nadu, it coincides with the Margazhi month, a period known for its religious activities. Temples are adorned with decorations, and devotional songs fill the air, creating a spiritual ambiance.