Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the bright-half Ekadashi of the solar month Margazhi; when the month holds two, the later. It is kept on the Sri Vaishnava Ekadashi day, which moves to the next day when Dasami touches the dawn. Irappattu, the ten nights' festival, begins on the same day. For the date itself, the printed almanac of your tradition decides. A book's rule explains a date; it does not overrule the almanac.
☕ The steps the Mutt's almanac follows
The Ekadashi is the bright-half one whose day falls in the solar month Margazhi (Sri Nrisimha Priya, the Ahobila Mutt's almanac, 1983–84, p. 14). A Margazhi can hold two, one in its first days and one in its last. The later is Vaikuntha Ekadashi; the earlier is Kaisika Ekadashi.
The fast is kept on the Sri Vaishnava Ekadashi day. The dawn decides it. Kalaprakasika: if at arunodaya “there is any part of Dhasami”, “there should be no fasting on that day” (Kalaprakasika (tr. N. P. Subramania Iyer, 1917), ch. XLV, p. 241).
So the day is the Ekadashi day itself when Ekadashi holds the arunodaya and has not run into the next one; the next day when Dasami touched that arunodaya, or when Ekadashi still holds the next arunodaya; and the Dwadashi day when Ekadashi stands at no sunrise.
Irappattu, the ten nights' festival, begins on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and the festival's name is printed on that same day.
At a glance
- Month: the bright-half Ekadashi whose day is in Margazhi; of two, the later.
- Dasami at that dawn's arunodaya: move to the next day.
- Ekadashi still at the next arunodaya: move to the next day.
- Ekadashi at no sunrise: the Dwadashi day.
- What Nava does: Vaikunda Ekadashi Vratam is the last bright-half Ekadashi of Margazhi, on the Sri Vaishnava Ekadashi day, by these four checks. Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Ira Pathu Arambham are given on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Vaikuntha Ekadashi sometimes on the Dwadashi?
When the Ekadashi stands at no sunrise, or when Dasami touched the dawn of the Ekadashi day, the Sri Vaishnava fast moves to the next day, the Dwadashi.
Can Vaikuntha Ekadashi fall in Thai?
The fast day can, when the Ekadashi falls on the last day of Margazhi and the fast moves to the next day. It is still the Margazhi Ekadashi.
What is Kaisika Ekadashi?
In a Margazhi with two bright-half Ekadashis, the earlier one. The later is Vaikuntha Ekadashi.
Deep dive: Dasami at the dawn
Sunrise 06:00, so arunodaya begins at 04:24.
🌅 One morning, two answers
Dasami ends at 05:00 on Wednesday; Ekadashi holds Wednesday's sunrise.
- A Smartha reckoning reads sunrise: Ekadashi, so Wednesday.
- The Sri Vaishnava reckoning reads arunodaya, from 04:24: Dasami is still there, so the fast is Thursday.
🔗 Read first
This page builds on vedha, a neighbouring tithi’s touch, which explains why a touch of Dasami at dawn matters.