Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi: 2025 & 2026 Dates, Darshan Guide
Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi: confirmed 2025 & 2026 dates with Vaikunta Dwaram notes, darshan tips, and festival planner. Save & plan now.
- 2025 – Vaikuntha Ekadashi: 10 January 2025 (Fri); also 30 December 2025 (Tue) later in the same year.
- 2026 – Vaikuntha Ekadashi: 20 December 2026 (Sun).
- Tirumala note: Vaikunta Dwaram opening runs as a multi-day festival from Ekadasi; a 10-day window around 30 Dec 2025–8 Jan 2026 is referenced in Tirumala guidance.
- Tables, planner, mistakes, mobile checklist & tips below.
Dates first: Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi for 2025 & 2026
Devotees plan months ahead for Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi, the most awaited day of Dhanurmasa when the Vaikunta Dwaram (the Paramapada Vasal) is opened for special darshan. Authoritative panchang references place Vaikuntha Ekadashi on Friday, 10 January 2025, and again on Tuesday, 30 December 2025—two occurrences within the same Gregorian year due to the lunar calendar alignment. For the next cycle, Vaikuntha Ekadashi falls on Sunday, 20 December 2026.
Tirumala practice: In Tirumala, TTD observes a festival run around Ekadasi with the Vaikunta Dwaram open across multiple days starting from Ekadasi morning, continuing through Dwadasi and often for a 10-day period. For the 2025 year-end event, guidance notes opening on 30 Dec 2025 with closure around 8 Jan 2026 (subject to official TTD communiqué nearer the dates).
Smart table — dates & quick context
| Year | Vaikuntha Ekadashi (IST) | What this means at Tirumala |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (early) | Fri, 10 Jan 2025 | Peak crowds; Ekadasi morning darshan via Vaikunta Dwaram; Dwadasi next day with Chakrasnanam at Srivari Pushkarini. |
| 2025 (late) | Tue, 30 Dec 2025 | Start of year-end Vaikunta Dwaram run that continues into early Jan 2026 (≈10 days). |
| 2026 | Sun, 20 Dec 2026 | Ekadasi during Dhanurmasa; expect another multi-day opening around this date. Note on parana: Vaikuntha Ekadashi fasting is traditionally broken on Dwadasi (parana) during prescribed windows; exact parana times vary by location and will be published closer to the date on panchang portals. |
What typically happens on the ground (Tirumala playbook)
1) Vaikunta Dwaram entry:
- The special northern entrance opens from early morning on Ekadasi. Expect barriered, one-way flows and time-slotted entry management from Vaikuntam Q-Complex.
- During the year-end cycle (e.g., 30 Dec 2025–8 Jan 2026), the gate remains open daily within notified hours—crowds are very high on Ekadasi/Dwadasi, then settle slightly.
2) Dwadasi highlights (next day):
- Chakrasnanam (holy bath of the Sudarshana Chakra) at Srivari Pushkarini at daybreak is a major draw; manage time for lake-side viewing and dispersal. (Typical timing example referenced for 2025 early cycle.)
3) Online quotas & tokens:
- On these peak dates, online quotas usually sell out; plan Sarva/Divya Darshan lines, and rely on official counters—avoid any middlemen. (Snapshot behaviors seen across major TTD events.)
Travel & crowd planner around Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi
When to arrive
- D-1 evening: Best for Ekadasi morning darshan; check into accommodation and walk towards galleries before midnight to gauge routes.
- D-day (Ekadasi) post-noon: If you’re flexible, consider afternoon slots after the first surge passes; lines typically keep moving as morning queues taper.
Where to stand
- Corners of East & North Mada Streets offer balanced visibility plus quicker exit corridors post-darshan.
Family strategy
- Split into “darshan” and “support” teams with a fixed meeting point (gallery staircase number); share live locations only after you exit security zones to avoid stop-and-go congestion.
Accessibility
- Prefer early-morning windows; coordinate wheelchairs at counters the previous evening where possible.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on non-official agents: Use only TTD portals and counters; year-end Vaikunta Dwaram runs attract scams.
- Confusing Ekadasi dates across cities: Panchang times vary by location; we cite India-standard dates used by national almanac portals (your local parana may differ by city).
- Underestimating the second 2025 occurrence: Many devotees miss the 30 Dec 2025 opening; it’s part of the Dhanurmasa cycle that continues into Jan 2026.
Know Before You Go (mobile checklist)
- Confirm your Ekadasi date (10 Jan 2025 / 30 Dec 2025 / 20 Dec 2026).
- Book rooms early; prefer walkable distance to Mada Streets.
- Carry ID, water/ORS, shawl, light snacks, power bank.
- Decide gallery corner & meeting point before entry.
- Keep footwear minimal for faster security and movement.
- Check TTD bulletin on the day for last-minute traffic advisories.
Mini-FAQ
Q. Why are there two Vaikuntha Ekadashis in 2025?
Because the lunar Tithi alignment places one in January 2025 and the next in December 2025, both within the same Gregorian year.
Q. Will Vaikunta Dwaram be open only on Ekadasi?
In Tirumala, it generally stays open across multiple days beginning on Ekadasi; the year-end 2025 window is referenced as 30 Dec 2025–8 Jan 2026. Final timings come from TTD nearer the event.
Q. When is Chakrasnanam held?
On Vaikuntha Dwadasi morning (the day after Ekadasi). Example guidance for Jan 2025 notes early-morning timings at Srivari Pushkarini.
Conclusion: fix your plan for Tirumala Vaikunta Ekadasi
Mark 10 Jan 2025, 30 Dec 2025, and 20 Dec 2026. For Tirumala, expect multi-day Vaikunta Dwaram opening around each Ekadasi, massive crowds on Ekadasi/Dwadasi, and sublime darshan through the special gate. Book rooms early, pick non-peak windows, and stick to official channels for a serene, safe experience.
Useful Links
- Drikpanchang: Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025 (Jan 10) & Ekadashi list. (Drik Panchang)
- Times of India: Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2025 overview (Jan 10). (The Times of India)
- Drikpanchang: Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 – 20 Dec with parana. (Drik Panchang)
- Tirumala guidance: Vaikunta Dwaram run around 30 Dec 2025–8 Jan 2026. (Tirupati Tirumala Info)
