Gita Jayanti and Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Europe: Date City by City (Sunday 20 December)

Quick answer: Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 Europe date is Sunday 20 December 2026, and the same day is Gita Jayanti (Mokshada Ekadashi). It falls on Sunday 20 December in Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Madrid, Dublin, Stockholm and every other city in our 18-city table. Smarta and Vaishnava families keep the same day, and it is the same day as India.

Because it falls on a Sunday, this is an easy Vaikuntha Ekadashi for European families: no need to take leave for temple darshan, and the whole family can share a Gita reading at home.

Where the dates come from: the European city dates are from HinduTone's calculator, using the Drik method. India's date, also Sunday 20 December, is calculated by the same method. Confirm on Drik Panchang for your city.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 Europe: city-wise dates

Ekadashi is kept on the day the tithi prevails at local sunrise; the Vaishnava rule also checks that Dashami does not touch the pre-dawn period. In every city below, both rules give Sunday 20 December.

If you live elsewhere, for example in Stuttgart, Rotterdam, Lyon, Geneva, Turin, Barcelona, Cork or Helsinki, the date is very likely the same, but confirm on Drik Panchang for your own location.

Why this Ekadashi is also Vaikuntha Ekadashi

The Shukla Ekadashi of Margashirsha is Mokshada Ekadashi, the Ekadashi that grants liberation, and it is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti, the day on which, as commonly told, Lord Krishna taught the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra.

In South India, the Ekadashi that falls within Dhanurmasam (the solar month when the Sun is in Dhanu) is Vaikuntha Ekadashi, also called Mukkoti Ekadashi. Dhanurmasam 2026 begins on Wednesday 16 December in Europe, so Sunday 20 December falls inside it and is both Gita Jayanti and Vaikuntha Ekadashi. As commonly told, on this day the gates of Vaikuntha, Vishnu's abode, open, and devotees pass through the northern gate (Vaikuntha dwaram) of Vishnu temples. In Tirumala and Srirangam this is one of the greatest days of the year.

For the India picture, see Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in India and Gita Jayanti 2026 and Mokshada Ekadashi.

The three Ekadashis around it

In every European city in our table, Smarta and Vaishnava families keep the same day for all three. Families who begin a year-long Ekadashi vow on Utpanna Ekadashi will find their second Ekadashi is this one.

A simple Gita reading plan for home

Gita Jayanti is the natural day to read the Gita, and a Sunday makes it possible for the whole family. Choose what fits your household:

• Full parayana: all 18 chapters, about 700 verses. In a group, split the chapters between family members or friends on a video call and read in turn.
• Chapter 12 and Chapter 15: Bhakti Yoga (12) and Purushottama Yoga (15) are short and traditionally recited on their own. Chapter 15 is often chanted before meals.
• Chapter 2 with children: read a few verses from Chapter 2, where Krishna tells Arjuna that the self is never born and never dies, and talk about what they mean.
• One verse a day: begin on Gita Jayanti and read one verse a day for the year ahead.

For an overview of all chapters, see the Bhagavad Gita: complete guide to the 18 chapters and Gita Jayanti: lessons from the Bhagavad Gita for today's world.

Fasting and parana

• The night before: eat a light, sattvic dinner on Saturday 19 December and avoid rice and grains.
• The fast: a full fast, a fruit-and-milk fast, or one grain-free meal, according to health and custom. Many Vaishnavas keep a night vigil (jagaran) with Vishnu nama and kirtan.
• Japa: chant "Om Namo Narayanaya" or "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", or recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Parana: break the fast on Monday 21 December within the parana window Drik Panchang gives for your city. We do not list parana times. Monday is a working day, so plan a quick breakfast of rice or a light grain dish once the window opens.
• Health: if you are pregnant, diabetic, elderly or on medication, keep a gentle fast and talk to your doctor first.

Temple darshan in Europe

Venkateswara, Vishnu, Krishna and ISKCON temples, and South Indian community temples in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Ireland and Scandinavia often hold special worship on Vaikuntha Ekadashi, sometimes including a symbolic Vaikuntha dwaram. Arrangements differ every year, so check your temple's own website or notices. We do not list events or timings.

• Crowds: a Sunday Vaikuntha Ekadashi will draw larger crowds than usual. Go early, and be patient with parking.
• Cold queues: in late December you may wait outside in the cold, in the dark or in rain. Dress warmly, and bring a folding stool for elders.
• Christmas season: 20 December is the last Sunday before Christmas, so shops, trains and roads are busy, especially near Christmas markets.
• Short days: daylight is at its shortest. If you are travelling from another city, leave early and plan your return before late evening.

German families can read Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Germany, Italian families Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Italy, and families in Dublin Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in the UK and Ireland.

Gita Jayanti in the Dhanurmasam season

Sunday 20 December is the fifth dawn of Dhanurmasam in Europe, which began on Wednesday 16 December. Families who sing one Tiruppavai pasuram each dawn will be singing the fifth on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. See Dhanurmasam 2026 in Europe and the full December 2026 Hindu festivals in Europe calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Frankfurt?

Sunday 20 December 2026, for both Smarta and Vaishnava families, in our Drik-method calculation. It is also Gita Jayanti (Mokshada Ekadashi). Please confirm on Drik Panchang and follow your temple.

Is Vaikuntha Ekadashi on 20 or 21 December in Paris?

Sunday 20 December 2026 in Paris, the same day as India. Both traditions keep the same day there.

When is Gita Jayanti 2026 in Amsterdam?

Sunday 20 December 2026. Gita Jayanti and Vaikuntha Ekadashi fall on the same day in Amsterdam and in every city in our table.

When is Mukkoti Ekadashi 2026 in Milan and Rome?

Sunday 20 December 2026 in both Milan and Rome. Italian families can also see our Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 guide for Italy.

What time should I break the Vaikuntha Ekadashi fast in Dublin or Stockholm?

Parana is on the next morning, Monday 21 December 2026, within the window Drik Panchang gives for your city. We do not list parana times; please check Drik for Dublin, Stockholm or your own town.

Can I keep Vaikuntha Ekadashi without a full fast?

Yes. Many people keep a fruit-and-milk fast or a single grain-free meal. What matters is devotion, Vishnu's name and, on Gita Jayanti, reading or hearing the Gita. Anyone with a medical condition should ask a doctor before fasting.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. Dates marked Drik are from Drik Panchang. City values are from our calculator (Drik method; where our guides give moonrise, it is the standard astronomical moonrise, checked against the US Naval Observatory, and Drik may show a few minutes later). Please confirm on Drik Panchang and follow your temple. We do not list temple events, darshan timings or parana times.

Related guides

• Gita Jayanti 2026: date and Mokshada Ekadashi
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in India
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Germany
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in Italy
• December 2026 Hindu festivals in Europe
• Dhanurmasam 2026 in Europe
• Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah 2026 in Europe
• Karwa Chauth 2026 in Europe
• Chhath Puja 2026 in Europe