Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Devotees of Vishnu and Shiva: Followers of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva observe this vrat, as it is the one day on which the two are worshipped together.
• Those Seeking Moksha: Devotees who pray for liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Moksha) and the gates of Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath: Bathe early in the morning, preferably during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), and begin the fast.
• Lord Vishnu's Puja: Done in Nishita Kaal (around midnight), as it is the main worship of the day. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Lord Shiva's Puja: Done after the worship of Lord Vishnu, still during the night (some families worship Lord Shiva at dawn the next morning).
• Breaking the Fast: After the puja is complete, or on the following morning, as your family tradition follows.

About the Festival

Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is a deeply revered observance across India in which Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshipped together. It takes place on the Chaturdashi (fourteenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Vishnu and the Thousand Lotuses)

Once upon a time, Lord Vishnu travelled to Kashi (Varanasi) on this day to worship Lord Shiva. After bathing in the Ganga at Manikarnika Ghat, he resolved to offer one thousand golden lotuses to Lord Shiva as he chanted His thousand names.

To test the devotion of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva hid one of the lotuses. As Vishnu came to the last name, he found that one lotus was missing, and the puja was about to be left incomplete. Without hesitation, he remembered that his eyes were called lotus-eyed (Kamalnayan) and decided to offer his own eye instead of the lotus.

Moved by this complete devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu and stopped him. He said to him: "Your devotion has no equal. On this day, whoever worships both of us together will be freed from all sins, and the doors of Vaikuntha will open for them." Lord Shiva also gave Lord Vishnu the Sudarshan Chakra on this day.

Since that day, Vaikuntha Chaturdashi has been observed on Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi, and devotees worship Vishnu and Shiva together to seek forgiveness of sins and the path to Vaikuntha.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the night puja:

• Images / Idols: Picture or idol of Lord Vishnu and a Shivling or image of Lord Shiva
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Chandan (sandalwood paste), Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense
• Sacred Offerings for Vishnu: Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, and lotus flowers (Kamal)
• Sacred Offerings for Shiva: Bel Patra (bilva leaves), white flowers, Gangajal, and raw milk
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Fruits, sweets, Panchamrit, and kheer

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe (preferably with a few drops of Gangajal in the water), and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, today I observe this vrat with pure devotion. Forgive my sins and grant me the path to Vaikuntha."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day, taking only fruits and water if needed (some families fast fully).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Evening)

1. Clean the puja space and spread a clean cloth on a wooden stool (Chowki).
2. Place the image of Lord Vishnu and the Shivling or image of Lord Shiva side by side.
3. Place a Kalash filled with clean water near them, and keep Tulsi leaves and Bel Patra ready in separate plates.

Step 3: Worshipping Lord Vishnu (Nishita Kaal)

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deities.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, Kumkum and Akshat to Lord Vishnu.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer lotus flowers, yellow flowers and Tulsi leaves, and chant the names of Lord Vishnu.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place fruits, sweets and kheer before the deity.

Step 4: Worshipping Lord Shiva

1. Offer Gangajal and raw milk to the Shivling while chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
2. Offer Bel Patra and white flowers, and apply Chandan.
3. Hold a few grains of rice and flower petals in your right hand, and recite or listen to the Vaikuntha Chaturdashi Katha with deep devotion.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Aarti of Lord Vishnu first, and then of Lord Shiva, using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Take the Aarti by passing your hands over the flame and touching them to your eyes.
3. Pray for forgiveness of sins, for the peace of your ancestors, and for the grace to reach Vaikuntha.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Closing the Day

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among your family members.
3. Break your fast with the prasad and a simple sattvic meal after the puja (or on the following morning, as your family tradition follows).