Vaikunta Ekadasi: Fasting, Darshan and the Dwadasi Meal

Vaikunta Ekadasi, also called Mukkoti Ekadasi in the Telugu states, falls during Dhanurmasam, usually in December or January. It is one of the most important days of the year at Vishnu temples.

The northern gate

On this day, Vishnu temples open the northern gate, the uttara dwaram, and devotees queue from the early hours for darshan through it. The belief is that passing through this gate on Vaikunta Ekadasi is like passing into Vaikuntam itself. Temples are crowded, so many families plan their visit well ahead.

The fast

Many people fast through the day. Some take only water or milk; many avoid rice and grains completely while eating fruit, milk and nuts. The night is often spent in prayer or listening to stories of Vishnu.

Breaking the fast on Dwadasi

The fast is broken the next morning, on Dwadasi, usually after a puja and often with a simple, satvik meal. Sweets are offered first.

Sweets for the fast and after

Families who avoid grains on Ekadasi often choose milk and dry fruit sweets. Dry fruit laddu, kova and kalakand fit that well. Every household follows its own rules, so check the ingredients against your family's practice. For the Dwadasi meal and for visiting relatives afterwards, boondi laddu and kaja are the traditional sweets to share.

A note for visitors

If you are travelling to a temple for darshan, pack something that keeps without a fridge: ghee sweets, dry fruit laddu or a packet of namkeen for the journey home, after the fast is over.