Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Culture of origin: Hindu · Cultural

Holiday sources: Hinduism

On this day the Vaikuntha Dvaram, the gate to Vaikuntha, is opened in Vishnu's temples. The most important is Srirangam, and the next Tirupati in the Tirumala hills, whose gateway opens only on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. People fast the whole day and keep vigil through the night, visiting Vishnu's temple in the early hours of the morning. Its legend tells of the asura Mura, a terror to the gods by a boon from Brahma, whom the goddess Yogamaya, made from Vishnu's own energy, slew. The day follows the solar month, so a Gregorian year can have none, one or two: two in 2025 (January 10 and December 30), none in 2027.