Quick answer: Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 falls on Monday 23 November 2026, Kartika Shukla Chaturdashi, one day before Kartika Purnima. Drik Panchang for New Delhi lists Vaikuntha Chaturdashi and Manikarnika Snan on 23 November. Chaturdashi tithi runs from 02:36 AM to 11:42 PM on 23 November (New Delhi, IST). It is the rare day when Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together, and it is famous for the Hari-Hara Milan in Ujjain.

On most days Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped separately, each with his own offerings. On Vaikuntha Chaturdashi the two are honoured as one. This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address.

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 date and tithi

The table below follows Drik Panchang for New Delhi. Times are in IST and apply to New Delhi only. Outside India, use a panchang set to your own city. Do not convert these IST times to another time zone.

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Date (2026)DayTithi (New Delhi, IST)Sunrise / sunset (New Delhi)
Sat 21 NovTulasi Vivah, Yogeshwara DwadashiDwadashi upto 04:56 AM, 22 Nov06:48 AM / 05:25 PM
Sun 22 NovRavi Pradosh VratTrayodashi upto 02:36 AM, 23 Nov06:49 AM / 05:25 PM
Mon 23 NovVaikuntha Chaturdashi, Manikarnika SnanChaturdashi upto 11:42 PM06:50 AM / 05:25 PM
Tue 24 NovKartika Purnima, Dev DiwaliPurnima upto 08:23 PM06:51 AM / 05:25 PM

Because Vaikuntha Chaturdashi falls on a Monday in 2026, it is also a Karthika Somavaram for families who follow the amanta (South Indian) month. Monday is a day already sacred to Shiva.

Nishita time Vishnu puja

A common tradition is to worship Vishnu during Nishita kaal, the period around midnight, on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Shiva is then worshipped in the early morning, often at Arunodaya, before sunrise. Nishita time depends on your location. Please check a panchang for your own city. We do not publish a muhurat clock time.

The story of the thousand lotuses, as commonly told

The best-known story of this day, as commonly told, goes like this.

Lord Vishnu left Vaikuntha and came to Kashi (Varanasi) to worship Lord Shiva. He vowed to offer one thousand lotus flowers to Shiva, chanting a name of Shiva with each flower. To test Vishnu's devotion, Shiva hid one lotus. When Vishnu reached the last offering, one flower was missing.

Vishnu is called Kamalanayana, "the lotus-eyed one". Remembering this, he decided to offer one of his own eyes in place of the missing lotus. Shiva, moved by this complete devotion, stopped him and appeared before him. Shiva blessed Vishnu and, in many versions, gave him the Sudarshana Chakra, his famous discus.

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Shiva also declared that this day would be known as Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Devotees believe that those who worship sincerely on this day are blessed with a place in Vaikuntha.

The meaning of the story

The story teaches that Vishnu and Shiva are not rivals. Each honours the other. For devotees, the day is a reminder to set aside sectarian divisions. For this reason, on this one day, some traditions offer tulasi leaves to Shiva and bilva leaves to Vishnu, reversing the usual custom.

Hari-Hara Milan in Ujjain

Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is home to Mahakaleshwar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Its Hari-Hara Milan is the most famous celebration of Vaikuntha Chaturdashi.

  • The procession: Lord Mahakal is taken in a procession through the city to the Gopal Mandir, a temple of Krishna (Vishnu).
  • The meaning: As commonly told, Vishnu rests during Chaturmas, the four months of the rainy season, and Shiva cares for the universe in that time. After Devutthana Ekadashi, when Vishnu wakes, Shiva hands the care of creation back to Vishnu at this meeting.
  • Exchange of garlands: The two deities exchange garlands. Shiva's bilva garland is offered to Vishnu, and Vishnu's tulasi garland is offered to Shiva.

The procession usually takes place at night and draws large crowds. We do not publish the procession time or route. The temple administration announces these each year. Please check the official website of Mahakaleshwar temple or local announcements for current timings and arrangements.

Manikarnika Snan in Varanasi

Drik Panchang lists Manikarnika Snan on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is one of the oldest and holiest ghats on the Ganga. Bathing there on this day is believed to bring great merit. Many devotees also visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, which links naturally with the story of Vishnu worshipping Shiva in Kashi.

The next evening, on Kartika Purnima, Varanasi celebrates Dev Diwali, when the ghats are lit with lamps. Many pilgrims plan their visit to cover both days. Check the temple's official website and local authorities for current timings, crowd rules and safety advice.

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How to observe Vaikuntha Chaturdashi at home

Customs vary by family and region. A simple home observance:

  1. Bathe early in the morning. Offer water, bilva leaves and flowers to a Shiva linga or picture of Shiva.
  2. During the day, read or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama or a Shiva stotra that your family knows.
  3. In the evening or night, worship Vishnu with tulasi, lotus or other flowers, a ghee lamp and naivedyam.
  4. If your family follows the custom, offer a tulasi leaf to Shiva and a bilva leaf to Vishnu as a sign that they are one.
  5. Light lamps at home and, if possible, near a tulasi plant. Karthika is the month of lamps.
  6. Some devotees fast for the day. Elderly people, pregnant women, people with diabetes and anyone on medication should consult a doctor before fasting.

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi for NRI families

  • Use a panchang set to your own city. Tithi and Nishita times abroad are different. Do not convert New Delhi IST times.
  • Temples abroad that have both Vishnu and Shiva shrines may hold special pujas. Check your local temple's calendar.
  • On a working Monday, do a short morning prayer to Shiva and an evening prayer to Vishnu. That keeps the spirit of the day.
  • Tell children the lotus story. It is a simple way to teach that Vishnu and Shiva honour each other.
  • If open flames are not allowed in your home, an LED diya is a practical choice.

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi within Karthika Masam

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi comes near the end of a sacred stretch of days. Devutthana (Prabodhini) Ekadashi on 20 November marks Vishnu waking. Tulasi Vivah and Dwadashi follow on 21 November. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is on 23 November, and Kartika Purnima is on Tuesday 24 November. See our Karthika Masam 2026 guide and our November 2026 Hindu festival calendar for all the dates.

Frequently asked questions

When is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026?

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday 23 November 2026. Drik Panchang for New Delhi lists Vaikuntha Chaturdashi and Manikarnika Snan on this day. Shukla Chaturdashi begins at 02:36 AM and lasts until 11:42 PM on 23 November (IST).

What is Hari-Hara Milan?

Hari-Hara Milan means 'the meeting of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara)'. In Ujjain, on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, Lord Mahakal is taken in procession to the Gopal Mandir, a Krishna temple. As commonly told, Shiva hands back the care of the universe to Vishnu, and the two deities exchange garlands of bilva and tulasi.

What is the Nishita time puja on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?

Many traditions worship Vishnu during Nishita kaal, the period around midnight, on this day. Shiva is worshipped in the early morning, often during Arunodaya. Nishita times change with location, so check a panchang for your own city. We do not publish a clock time.

How is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi different from Vaikuntha Ekadashi?

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is the 14th lunar day of the bright half of Kartika, and it honours Vishnu and Shiva together. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a separate Vishnu festival in the Margashirsha or Pausha month, known for the opening of the Vaikuntha Dwaram in temples such as Tirumala and Srirangam.

What is Manikarnika Snan?

It is a holy bath at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Manikarnika is one of the most sacred ghats of Kashi, and bathing there on this day is considered especially meritorious.

What comes after Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?

The next day, Tuesday 24 November 2026, is Kartika Purnima. Drik Panchang lists Dev Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Karthigai Deepam and Pushkara Snana on the same day.

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 and tithi times come from Drik Panchang for New Delhi and are given in IST. They are not converted to other time zones. We do not give Nishita, procession or darshan clock times; please check a local panchang and official temple announcements. The stories and the Ujjain tradition are described as commonly told, and customs vary by family and region.