Vaikunta Ekadashi — known in Telugu as Mukkoti Ekadashi — is the most important of all the year's Ekadashis, falling on the Shukla Ekadashi of Margashira month (December–January), during the sacred Dhanur Masam. It is believed that on this day the gates of Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu, are thrown open, and that those who worship Vishnu and pass through the northern gateway attain his grace and liberation. It is also known as Mokshada Ekadashi.

Uttara Dwara Darshanam at Tirumala

The most famous observance is at Tirumala, where the Vaikunta Dwaram (a special northern gateway around the sanctum) is opened only on this day and the following Dwadashi. Lakhs of devotees queue for the Uttara Dwara Darshanam, walking through the celestial gateway in the belief that it grants moksha. Vishnu temples across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu (Srirangam especially) open their own Vaikunta Dwaram and hold grand celebrations.

The Legend of Mukkoti

'Mukkoti' refers to the three crore (mukkoti) devas who are said to descend and be present at Vishnu's darshan on this day. The Padma Purana narrates that the Ekadashi deity, born of Lord Vishnu, defeated the demon Muran on this day — and Vishnu granted that those who fast on Ekadashi would be freed from sins. Vaikunta Ekadashi, occurring in the pure early-morning worship month of Dhanur Masam, is regarded as the crown of these observances.

How the Vrat Is Observed

Devotees keep a strict fast — many nirjala — spend the day in prayer, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhagavad Gita, and keep a night vigil (jagarana). Temple visits for the Uttara Dwara Darshanam are central where possible. The fast is broken the next morning at the Dwadashi parana time. Because Vaikunta Ekadashi falls in Dhanur Masam, the early-morning (brahma muhurta) worship of Vishnu that defines the whole month reaches its peak on this day.