Quick answer: Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi 2026 falls on Sunday 20 December 2026. At Tirumala, TTD is expected to open the Vaikuntha Dwaram (Uttara Dwaram) for ten days, 20 to 29 December 2026, with the Swarna Ratham procession on Ekadasi and Chakra Snanam at the Swami Pushkarini on Dwadasi, Monday 21 December. All of this is expected - TTD will announce the official schedule: as of 9 October 2026 TTD had not announced the 2026 dates, token system or quotas. Last season, darshan on the first three days was only for online e-DIP token holders. Plan now, but book only after TTD's announcement, and only through TTD's official online booking portal.

Last checked: 9 October 2026.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026: key dates at Tirumala

DateEventStatus
Sat 19 Dec 2026, 10:09 pm (India)Ekadasi tithi begins (Drik Panchang, as cited by LatestLY)Panchang date
Sun 20 Dec 2026Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi; Vaikuntha Dwara darshan expected to open; Swarna Ratham procession expectedexpected - TTD will announce the official schedule
Sun 20 Dec 2026, 8:14 pm (India)Ekadasi tithi endsPanchang date
Mon 21 Dec 2026Vaikuntha Dwadasi; Chakra Snanam at Swami Pushkarini expectedexpected - TTD will announce the official schedule
20 to 29 Dec 2026Ten-day Vaikuntha Dwara darshan, if TTD follows recent yearsexpected - TTD will announce the official schedule

The dates and the ten-day pattern come from our Tirumala research file, which draws on TTD's December 2025 festival list and the TTD board decision of 18 November 2025 as reported by The Federal. Source: The Federal, 18 November 2025. The tithi times are for India; do not convert them for other countries, because the Ekadasi date abroad is set by local sunrise. NRIs should follow a local panchang or our country guides linked below.

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The same day is also Mokshada Ekadashi and Gita Jayanti in the North Indian calendar; see Gita Jayanti 2026.

What is the Vaikuntha Dwaram, and why is it so sacred?

Vaikuntha Ekadasi is the Ekadasi of the bright fortnight in the Dhanurmasam period, when, as traditionally told, the gates of Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu's abode, open for devotees. It is also called Mukkoti Ekadasi because the three crore deities are said to gather for the Lord's darshan on this day. Devotees believe that passing through the northern gate (Uttara Dwaram) of a Vishnu temple on this day brings the Lord's grace and liberation.

At Tirumala, the Vaikuntha Dwaram is the sacred passage around the sanctum of Lord Venkateswara, kept closed through the year and opened only in the Vaikuntha Ekadasi period. Pilgrims have darshan of Srinivasa and then walk this passage, which is felt to be a rare blessing. For the tradition behind it, read why the Vaikuntha Dwaram at Tirumala is so sacred and our Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 guide.

Vaikuntha Ekadasi falls inside Dhanurmasam, which is expected to begin with Dhanu Sankranti on 16 December 2026 (expected - TTD will announce the official schedule). During Dhanurmasam, Andal's Tiruppavai is recited in the Srivari temple in place of Suprabhatam. Source: Hindupad (TTD 2025-26 release). See Dhanurmasam daily rituals for families.

Swarna Ratham on Ekadasi and Chakra Snanam on Dwadasi

TTD's December 2025 list followed a clear pattern, which our research file records: a Swarna Ratham (golden chariot) procession of Sri Malayappa Swamy with Sridevi and Bhudevi along the four Mada streets on Ekadasi, and Chakra Snanam at the Swami Pushkarini on Dwadasi, when the Sudarshana Chakra is given a holy dip in the temple tank and devotees bathe after it. For 2026 that points to the Swarna Ratham on Sunday 20 December and Chakra Snanam on Monday 21 December, both expected - TTD will announce the official schedule.

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How TTD ran Vaikuntha Dwara darshan last season (2025-26)

TTD has not announced the 2026 system, so the best guide is what it did last time. According to the TTD board decision of 18 November 2025, as reported by The Federal, and further detail in Deccan Herald (25 November 2025), Vaikuntha Dwara darshan ran from 30 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, and:

  • No offline tokens: TTD scrapped offline token counters after the January 2025 stampede in Tirupati.
  • e-DIP for the first three days: darshan on Ekadasi, Dwadasi and New Year's Day was only by online e-DIP (electronic lucky dip) tokens. Registration ran from 27 November to 1 December on the TTD website, the TTD app and the Andhra Pradesh Government WhatsApp bot, with results on 2 December. There were no special counters, and only token holders were allowed on those days.
  • Special Entry Darshan paused: Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan tickets were suspended on the first three days and resumed from 2 January.
  • Sarva Darshan on the other days: on the remaining seven days, free Sarva Darshan without tokens ran through Vaikuntham Queue Complex-2.
  • Local quota: a daily quota of 5,000 tokens for Tirupati and Tirumala residents was offered online for three days from 6 January.

Source: The Federal, 18 November 2025. In 2026 Ekadasi falls on a Sunday and Dwadasi on a Monday, and there is no New Year's Day in the first three days, so the e-DIP days and the registration window may well differ. Our research suggests TTD's board decision is likely in November 2026. Assume nothing until TTD publishes it.

How to plan: quotas and booking

TTD releases each month's darshan, seva and accommodation quotas online well in advance. For December 2026 it has already done so (Source: TTD News, 12 September 2026):

  • Arjitha Seva e-Dip (Suprabhatham, Thomala, Archana, Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana): opened 19 September at 10 AM; registration closed 21 September at 10 AM; payment until noon on 23 September.
  • Kalyanotsavam and other sevas: 22 September.
  • Anga Pradakshina tokens, SRIVANI tickets and free special darshan tokens for senior citizens, differently abled and chronically ill devotees: 23 September.
  • Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan: 24 September at 10 AM. Accommodation: 24 September at 3 PM.

These were the general December quotas. Vaikuntha Dwara darshan has its own rules, and last season TTD suspended Special Entry Darshan for the first three days. If you already hold a December booking for 20 to 22 December, watch for TTD's notice on how it will be treated. Why Rs 300 tickets vanish so fast is explained in our Tirumala darshan tickets and quota release guide.

Practical steps:

  • Bookmark TTD's official online booking portal and the official TTD app, and follow TTD News for the Vaikuntha Ekadasi announcement, expected in November.
  • If TTD again uses e-DIP, register every family member in the window and keep ID details ready; a lucky dip means no one can promise you a token.
  • If you do not get a token for the first days, the remaining days have been the realistic option in recent seasons.
  • Never pay agents or touts. TTD Vigilance caught a room-booking broker using forged Aadhaar cards in August 2026 and reminded pilgrims to book only through official channels (Source: TTD News, 17 August 2026).

Tips for elders, children and NRI families

  • Elders and the differently abled: TTD releases free special darshan tokens for senior citizens, differently abled and chronically ill devotees with each month's quota, but on peak festival days it has cancelled privileged darshans: it did so for both 2026 Brahmotsavams (Source: TTD News, 6 October 2026). Do not assume these darshans will run on Vaikuntha Ekadasi; check TTD's notice, and consider the later days of the ten-day window.
  • Expect long waits: Tirumala has seen very heavy crowds in 2026, with TTD reporting a wait of about 24 hours in September (Source: TTD News, 10 September 2026). Carry water, medicines and snacks, and dress for cold December nights on the hills.
  • Children: at the September Garuda Seva, TTD advised parents to use ID bands and geo-tag children (Source: The Hans India, 20 September 2026). The same care makes sense in Vaikuntha Ekadasi crowds.
  • NRIs travelling home: book flights with flexibility until TTD confirms the system, carry the passport you used to register, and do not count on an NRI privilege darshan during the festival.
  • Watching from abroad: SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel), TTD's devotional channel, broadcasts major Tirumala festivals. Many NRI families watch the Vaikuntha Dwaram celebrations live and then visit a local temple.

For dates and customs abroad, see Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 in the USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland and Australia.

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Keeping the Vaikuntha Ekadasi fast

Many devotees fast on Ekadasi, keep vigil through the night with Vishnu Sahasranama, bhajans and the Lord's names, and break the fast on Dwadasi. At home, a lamp before an image of Lord Venkateswara, tulasi leaves and a reading from the Bhagavad Gita or Tiruppavai are simple ways to join in. Elders, children and anyone unwell can keep a lighter fast with fruit and milk.

Dates and arrangements are set by TTD and can change. Always confirm on TTD's official channels before you travel. HinduTone is not affiliated with TTD.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026 at Tirumala?

Vaikuntha (Mukkoti) Ekadasi 2026 falls on Sunday 20 December. The Ekadasi tithi runs from 10:09 pm on 19 December to 8:14 pm on 20 December 2026, India time (Drik Panchang, as cited by LatestLY). TTD had not announced its 2026 programme when we last checked on 9 October 2026.

How many days is Vaikuntha Dwara darshan at Tirumala in 2026?

In recent years TTD has kept the Vaikuntha Dwaram open for ten days from Ekadasi. If it does the same in 2026, darshan would run from 20 to 29 December. This is expected - TTD will announce the official schedule, usually after a board decision.

Will there be offline tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara darshan in 2026?

We do not know yet. For the last season (30 December 2025 to 8 January 2026), TTD scrapped offline tokens after the January 2025 stampede in Tirupati and gave darshan on the first three days only to holders of online e-DIP (electronic lucky dip) tokens (The Federal, 18 November 2025). TTD may change the system for 2026, so wait for its announcement.

Can I book Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan for Vaikuntha Ekadasi?

TTD released the December 2026 Rs 300 Special Entry Darshan quota on 24 September 2026 (TTD News, 12 September 2026). Last season, though, Special Entry Darshan was suspended on the first three days of Vaikuntha Dwara darshan and resumed afterwards. Check TTD's official online booking portal and TTD's Vaikuntha Ekadasi announcement before you rely on any ticket for 20 to 22 December.

Is the Dwadasi Chakra Snanam on 21 December 2026?

It is expected on Monday 21 December, the Dwadasi after Ekadasi, at the Swami Pushkarini, following the pattern in TTD's December 2025 list. The date is expected - TTD will announce the official schedule.

How can NRIs take part in Vaikuntha Ekadasi from abroad?

Keep the Ekadasi fast by your local panchang, since the date can differ outside India, and watch the Tirumala celebrations on SVBC (Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel), TTD's devotional channel. Many temples abroad also open a symbolic Vaikuntha Dwaram on the day.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

Last checked: 9 October 2026. Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2026 dates come from Drik Panchang as cited by LatestLY. The ten-day pattern, Swarna Ratham, Chakra Snanam and last season's token rules come from TTD's December 2025 list and the TTD board decision of 18 November 2025 (The Federal) with detail from Deccan Herald (25 November 2025). The December 2026 quota release is from TTD News (12 September 2026). Everything about 2026 that TTD has not yet announced is marked expected. We will update this page when TTD publishes the 2026 Vaikuntha Dwara darshan schedule.