Vaikunta Ekadashi at Tirumala – 2026

Vaikunta Ekadashi at Tirumala 2026

Shuddha Ekadashi in Dhanurmasa is called Vaikunta Ekadashi (20th Dec, 2026). At Tirumala, in the early hours of this day, the Vaikunta Dwaram (door) will be opened and will be closed after 10 days (29th Dec, 2026).

Ekadashi Tithi Timings :

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins – 10:09 PM on Dec 19, 2026
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends – 08:14 PM on Dec 20, 2026

Vaikunta Dwaram will not be opened in the whole year except during this auspicious period. So there will be huge rush observed on these days due to its importance. It is believed that those who will have Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam during Vaikunta Ekadashi at Tirumala will get Moksham. Vaikunta Dwaram is believed to be ‘Gate of Heaven’.

Eight Lakh Devotees will be provided Vaikunta Dwara Darshan during the 10 days.

How to Get Vaikunta Dwara Darshan in 2026

This is the question most devotees ask us, so let us explain it simply. The ten days are not the same. TTD splits them into two parts, and the way you get darshan is completely different in each part.

First 3 days (December 20, 21 and 22) – lucky dip only

On these three days, Vaikunta Dwara Darshan is given only to devotees who received a token through the lucky dip (e-DIP). There is no other way in on these days. You register online during the announced window, and tokens are allotted by draw.

If you get a token, you must reach the darshan entry point in Tirumala on the exact date and time slot printed on it. Coming on a different day does not work.

Remaining 7 days (December 23 to 29) – three ways in

From the fourth day onwards, no lucky dip token is needed. Based on how TTD ran it last year, three options are open:

• SRIVANI VIP Break Darshan – released online during these seven days. One important point most people do not know: during Vaikunta Ekadashi, this darshan is given from the 4th door only. You will not be taken up to the 1st door as you would on a normal day.
• Rs. 300 Special Entry Darshan – tickets are issued for these days. This is the option most families use.
• General queue line – open to everyone, with no token and no ticket. If you cannot get either of the above, you can still have darshan by standing in this line.

So even without any ticket, darshan is possible from December 23 onwards. Only the waiting time will be long.

What SRIVANI VIP Break Darshan costs

During Vaikunta Ekadashi the cost works out to Rs. 10,300 per person – Rs. 10,000 as donation to SRIVANI Trust, plus the Rs. 300 darshan ticket. On normal days outside this period the SRIVANI VIP Break Darshan works out to Rs. 10,500 per head, so do not be confused if you see a different figure elsewhere on our site.

Also note that the SRIVANI offline counters stay closed for all ten days. Only the online release is available. Do not travel to Tirupati hoping to buy it at a counter during this period.

When Will TTD Release Vaikunta Ekadashi 2026 Tickets?

TTD has not announced the release dates yet. Going by previous years, the announcement is expected around the end of November or the first week of December 2026. Nothing is confirmed until TTD publishes it.

This is the part where most devotees lose out. The lucky dip registration window and the Rs. 300 ticket release are open for a short time, and quota finishes within minutes. People who hear about it a day late simply miss it.

Get the release alert on your phone

We track TTD announcements every day and send a notification the moment the Vaikunta Ekadashi release date is announced. The fastest way to receive it is through our free app:

Install the Tirupati Tirumala Info app – get instant alerts for ticket releases, quota updates, darshan waiting time and TTD notices. No need to keep checking the website.

You can also keep an eye on our quota release updates page, which we update as soon as TTD announces anything.

Which Darshans Are Cancelled During These 10 Days

This catches a lot of families by surprise, so please read it carefully before planning. During the ten days of Vaikunta Dwara Darshan, TTD cancels almost every other privileged darshan:

• Parents with infants (infant darshan)
• Senior citizens
• Differently-abled persons
• NRI and defence personnel darshan
• Arjitha Sevas
• Darshan on recommendation letters – these are not accepted at all

The SSD token counters also stay closed for these ten days, along with the SRIVANI offline counters. Only protocol dignitaries are exempt.

If someone in your family depends on senior citizen or infant darshan, it is far better to plan your trip outside this period.

Important Note on This Information

Everything above describes how TTD conducted Vaikunta Dwara Darshan last year. TTD reviews the arrangement every year and may change the number of lucky dip days, the ticket types released, or the rules. Please treat this page as a guide to what to expect, and confirm the final process once TTD issues its official announcement for 2026.

We update this page as soon as the official guidelines come out.

Tirumala Accommodation During Vaikunta Dwara Darshan

• Tirumala Accommodation is not issued in online for these 10 days.
• You have to Visit CRO office in Tirumala to register for rooms and get it in offline on arrival.
• You have to take rooms in person. Not possible to book over phone or in any website. Don’t approach any middle man.
• There are free lockers and open halls to stay even if you didnt get room.
• Those who had got darshan tickets booked in advance, they only can register for rooms.
• Minimum 2 persons are required to get a room. Max 6 members can stay in a room
• Room will be allotted for only 24 hours. Staying beyond that is not possible due to scarcity of rooms in Tirumala. Plan to stay in Tirupati in any private hotels. There are lot of private hotels in tirupati.

If you are not sure how room allotment works, our guide on how to book a room in Tirumala explains the CRO process in detail.

Swarna Ratham and Chakra Snanam

During Vaikunta Ekadashi at Tirumala, there will be procession for the well adorned Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in the golden chariot between 9 AM to 11 AM, followed by Asthanam in Srivari temple.

• On Vaikunta Dwadashi day, Chakra Snanam will be performed in Swamy Pushkarini between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM.

Planning Your Visit

A few things worth knowing before you travel during this period:

• Crowds are at their heaviest of the entire year. Check the live darshan waiting time before you start.
• The first three days are the most crowded, because everyone wants darshan on Ekadashi day itself. Days 8, 9 and 10 are usually a little easier.
• Carry original Aadhaar cards for everyone in your group.
• Book your train or bus well in advance. Tirupati fills up completely during these days.

Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple and surroundings will be decorated with Beautiful Flowers and Lights. This will be eye feast for everyone and it is very good to watch those most beautiful flowers, best lighting’s and pleasant climate at Tirumala on occassion of Vaikunta Ekadashi. Happy Vaikunta Ekadashi …

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Vaikunta Ekadashi in 2026?
Vaikunta Ekadashi falls on 20th December 2026. The Vaikunta Dwaram is opened in the early hours of that day and stays open for ten days, until 29th December 2026.

When will TTD release Vaikunta Ekadashi 2026 tickets?
TTD has not announced the release dates yet. Based on previous years, the announcement is expected around the end of November or the first week of December 2026. Install our app to get an alert the moment it is announced.

Can I have Vaikunta Dwara Darshan without any ticket?
Yes, from December 23 to 29 the general queue line is open to everyone without a token or ticket. On the first three days (December 20, 21 and 22), only lucky dip token holders are allowed.

Is senior citizen or infant darshan available during Vaikunta Ekadashi?
No. Senior citizen, infant, differently-abled, NRI, defence and recommendation-letter darshans are all cancelled for these ten days. Plan outside this period if your family needs one of these.

How much does SRIVANI VIP Break Darshan cost during Vaikunta Ekadashi?
Rs. 10,300 per person – Rs. 10,000 as SRIVANI Trust donation plus the Rs. 300 darshan ticket. During this period the darshan is given from the 4th door only, and the offline counters remain closed.

Will the process be exactly the same this year?
Not necessarily. Everything described here is based on how TTD ran it last year. TTD may change the arrangement, so please confirm with the official announcement when it is published.

Please feel free to call TTD Toll free helpline – 155257 or Our Travel Advisor Phone Number 9110583839 if you have any queries.