Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam, Pagal Pathu and Ra Pathu 2026
Vaikunta Ekadasi is the high point of the 21-day Margazhi festival at Srirangam, the one time of year the Paramapada Vasal is opened. Devotees believe that passing through this gate opens the way to Vaikuntha, Vishnu's heaven.
What happens
- The festival opens with Pagal Pathu, ten days on which the Araiyars recite and enact the Alvars' hymns. The temple's timetable runs it from 10 to 19 Dec 2026.
- On the last day of Pagal Pathu, 19 Dec, Namperumal, the processional deity, appears in Mohini alankaram as Nachiyar.
- On Vaikunta Ekadasi, 20 Dec, Namperumal is carried through the Paramapada Vasal before dawn, and devotees follow through the gate. The timetable gives 5.15 am for the opening.
- Ra Pathu follows for ten days, from 20 to 29 Dec. The festival closes on 30 Dec with Nammalvar Moksham, when the poet-saint is said to attain salvation.
Sources: srirangamranganathar.hrce.tn.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Srirangam Ranganathaswamy
Srirangam
Ranganathaswamy Temple holds the 21-day festival, and lakhs of pilgrims come to pass through its Paramapada Vasal on Vaikunta Ekadasi.
When to go
The festival falls in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December to January). Most pilgrims come for Vaikunta Ekadasi itself, the first day of Ra Pathu.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2026Thu | Pagal Pathu begins | Day one of the 21-day festival, which runs to Nammalvar Moksham on 30 Dec 2026. |
| 20 Dec 2026Sun | Vaikunta Ekadasi, Paramapada Vasal opening | Sunday 20 Dec 2026, the first day of Ra Pathu. The temple's timetable gives 5.15 am for the gate opening. |
| 30 Dec 2026Wed | Nammalvar Moksham | The closing day of the festival. |
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, srirangamranganathar.hrce.tn.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- RitualThe temple has no Viswaroopa darshan during festivals or at any time in Margazhi, so do not plan around the early-morning darshan.
- BookingWe found no official notice of passes or tickets for the 2026 opening. Follow only the temple's HR&CE site and do not pay agents for festival entry.
- SafetyLakhs of pilgrims push in once the gate opens, and the festival draws about a million visitors. Keep elders and children close and agree a meeting point.
- OfficialRanganathaswamy Temple, official HR&CE site
- OfficialTemple festival timetable 2026-27 (Tamil PDF)
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: srirangamranganathar.hrce.tn.gov.in, srirangamranganathar.hrce.tn.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
What is the Vaikunta Ekadasi 2026 date?
Vaikunta Ekadasi falls on Sunday 20 Dec 2026, according to the temple's festival timetable, which gives 5.15 am for the Paramapada Vasal opening.
When do Pagal Pathu and Ra Pathu start at Srirangam?
Pagal Pathu runs from 10 to 19 Dec 2026 and Ra Pathu from 20 to 29 Dec. The festival ends on 30 Dec with Nammalvar Moksham.
What is the Paramapada Vasal?
It is the temple gate opened only in this festival. Devotees believe passing through it on Vaikunta Ekadasi opens the way to Vaikuntha.
Do I need a pass for Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam?
We found no official notice of passes for 2026 as of 30 Oct. Check the temple's HR&CE site in December and do not pay agents.
Plan your trip for Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
Plan Your Temple Visit
Free to plan, no sign-up. We sell no pooja, darshan or seva.