Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a revered festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This year, it is set to be observed on Friday, January 10, 2025. Celebrated with great devotion, this auspicious day is believed to open the gates of Vaikuntha (heaven) to Lord Vishnu. Devotees across the globe observe this day with fasting, prayers, rituals, and divine blessings.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025: date and muhurat
Here are the key details for this year’s observance:
Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025: Friday, January 10, 2025
Parana (breaking fast) time: January 11, 7:15 AM to 8:21 AM
Dwadashi end moment: January 11, 8:21 AM
Ekadashi tithi begins: January 9, 12:22 PM
Ekadashi tithi ends: January 10, 10:19 AM
Rituals and observances on Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Devotees engage in various rituals to honour the day, with fasting being the significant practice. Here are the rituals to follow:
Fasting guidelines
Parana timing: The fast concludes on Dwadashi Tithi, the day following Ekadashi. Devotees break their fast after sunrise during the prescribed Parana period.
Avoid Hari Vasara: The initial one-fourth duration of Dwadashi (Hari Vasara) should be avoided while breaking the fast.
Optimal timing: Parana is ideally performed in the morning (Pratahkal). If unavailable, it can be done post-afternoon (Madhyahna).
Fasting Choices
Householders (Smarthas): Typically observe the fast on the first day of Ekadashi.
Sanyasis and widows: Recommended to observe the fast on the second day.
Devout followers: Many devotees fast on both days to seek divine grace.
Other rituals:
Offer prayers: Visit temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and recite Vishnu Sahasranama or other sacred texts.
Perform rituals: Light a diya (lamp) and offer tulsi leaves, fruits, and sweets to the deity.
Practice meditation: Spend time in meditation to connect with the divine and reflect on inner peace.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi significance
Vaikuntha Ekadashi, observed during the Dhanur solar month, holds immense importance in Hindu traditions. Falling in the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon), this Ekadashi is associated with the Tamil month of Margazhi. Unlike other Ekadashis, it is determined based on the solar calendar, which occasionally results in one or two Vaikuntha Ekadashis in a year.
Believed to open the celestial gates of Vaikuntha, this day symbolises spiritual awakening and the pursuit of Moksha (liberation). The festival’s timing and significance are rooted in ancient astronomical calculations, adding a unique spiritual dimension to the celebrations.
