Vaikunta Ekadashi is a special Ekādaśī. It coincides with Mokṣadā Ekādaśī or Putrada Ekādaśī. It is observed on the 11th lunar day of the waxing lunar fortnight of the solar month of Dhanu.This falls between 16 December and 13 January in the English calendar.

The Vaishnava (Worshipers/Followers of Vishnu) sect believes that ‘Vaikunta Dwaram’ or ‘the gate to the Lord's Inner Sanctum’ is opened on this day. The Margashirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in the Lunar calendar is known as a 'Mokshada Ekadashi.' Special prayers from Vedas, Divya Prabhandham, Sri Vaikuntha Gadhyam (sometimes additional Gadhyams by Ramanuja are also chanted), Vaikuntha Dwara Pooja, Prakarothsvam(Sri Veli), Oonjal Seva (swing pooja), Oonjal Prabhandham, yagnas, discourses and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples around the world on this auspicious day.

Vaikuntha is the Supreme Abode of God Vishnu and called, the place of non-hindrance. Mortals find it in the feet of God Vishnu as Vishnupada, or Param Padam, as it is a place for God Vishnu and his devotees to reside in the suddha-sattva, or the supreme state of purity and goodness.

In Vishnu temples, Vaikuntha Ekadashi is part and parcel of Dhanurmaasa (Margazhi) vratham and Pooja. Entire month is Vratha month as all days of Dhanurmaasa require control over actions and food restrictions for SriVaishnavas. The Shaiva sect observes the day as Trikoti Ekadashi, a religious observance where all the deities in the Hindu pantheon pay obeisance to Lord Sri Shiva at once.