Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 Date and Puja Time in Mumbai: 23 Nov
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday, 23 November 2026. As per Drik Panchang for Mumbai, the Nishita Kaal puja time for Lord Vishnu is 11:59 PM to 12:51 AM (night of 23 to 24 November), and the Chaturdashi tithi runs from 2:36 AM to 11:42 PM on 23 November. It is the rare day when both Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together.
Quick facts
Date: Monday, 23 November 2026
Nishita Kaal puja (Mumbai): 11:59 PM to 12:51 AM, 24 November
Duration: 51 minutes
Chaturdashi tithi begins: 2:36 AM, 23 November
Chaturdashi tithi ends: 11:42 PM, 23 November
Hindu month: Kartik, Shukla Paksha
Next day: Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali, 24 November
Source: Drik Panchang, Mumbai timings
When is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi in 2026?
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi falls on the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi of Kartik, one day before Kartik Purnima. In 2026 that is Monday, 23 November. Because Vishnu is worshipped at Nishita, the Hindu midnight, the main puja happens late at night. For Mumbai, Drik Panchang lists the Nishita Kaal as 11:59 PM to 12:51 AM, a window of 51 minutes that carries into 24 November.
Timings differ by city. For New Delhi, for example, Drik Panchang lists Nishita Kaal as 11:41 PM to 12:35 AM. Please check your local panchang for your own town.
What is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?
As per Drik Panchang, it is considered rare for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu to be worshipped together on the same day, and Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is that day. Devotees of Vishnu worship at Nishita, while devotees of Shiva prefer Arunodaya, the Hindu dawn.
The festival is mainly observed in Varanasi, Rishikesh, Gaya and many cities of Maharashtra. At the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Lord Vishnu is given a special place of honour in the sanctum on this day.
The story of the thousand lotuses
According to the Shiva Purana, as told by Drik Panchang, Lord Vishnu went to Varanasi on this day to worship Lord Shiva and vowed to offer 1,000 lotuses. When he found that one lotus was missing, he offered one of his own lotus-like eyes instead. Pleased by this devotion, Shiva restored his eye and gave him the Sudarshana Chakra.
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi puja vidhi
This is a simple outline. Follow your family or temple tradition if it differs.
Take a bath in the evening and keep the puja space clean. Place an image or idol of Lord Vishnu and light a diya. Offer tulsi leaves, flowers (lotus if you can get it), fruits and sweets.
At Nishita Kaal, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu, and offer flowers one by one if possible. Finish with an aarti.
For Shiva worship, many people wake before sunrise, take a bath, and offer bael leaves, water and milk to a Shivling, then visit a Shiva temple.
Samagri list
Idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and a Shivling or picture of Lord Shiva
Tulsi leaves for Vishnu and bael leaves for Shiva
Lotus or other fresh flowers
Diya, ghee or oil, incense and camphor
Fruits, panchamrit and sweets for naivedya
Water, milk and akshata (rice)
Vishnu Sahasranama booklet or app
Hari-Hara tradition: tulsi and bael leaves
Drik Panchang notes a lovely custom. On this day Lord Vishnu offers tulsi leaves to Shiva, and Shiva offers bael leaves to Vishnu. Many devotees follow this by offering tulsi at Shiva shrines and bael at Vishnu shrines on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. It is a sign of unity between the two traditions.
Manikarnika Snan in Varanasi
For Shiva devotees, the early bath at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi at Arunodaya on Kartik Chaturdashi is very significant, and it is known as Manikarnika Snan. If you are not in Varanasi, a bath at home with a little Ganga jal added is a common practice.
Do's and don'ts
Do keep the day calm and spend time in prayer.
Do offer fresh tulsi to Vishnu and bael to Shiva.
Do plan the night puja timing for your city from a local panchang.
Don't pluck tulsi or bael leaves roughly or in excess.
Don't treat any vrat as a promise of results. It is an act of faith.
What comes after Vaikuntha Chaturdashi
The next day, 24 November, is Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali, the Diwali of the gods. See also on IndiaAsk: Kartik Purnima 2026 Date and Time in Mumbai: 24 Nov, and Tulsi Vivah 2026 Date, Puja Time and Samagri: 21 Nov.
All timings here are as per Drik Panchang. Please check your local panchang or temple priest for the exact timing in your city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi in 2026?
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday, 23 November. As per Drik Panchang for Mumbai, Chaturdashi tithi begins at 2:36 AM and ends at 11:42 PM on 23 November. The Vishnu puja is done at Nishita Kaal, late at night, so check your local timing.
What is the Vaikuntha Chaturdashi puja time in Mumbai?
As per Drik Panchang, the Nishita Kaal puja time in Mumbai is 11:59 PM to 12:51 AM, from the night of 23 November into 24 November 2026. The duration is 51 minutes. Other cities differ slightly, for example New Delhi is 11:41 PM to 12:35 AM.
Why are Vishnu and Shiva worshipped together on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?
As per Drik Panchang, it is rare for both gods to be worshipped on the same day. The Shiva Purana tells how Vishnu offered a thousand lotuses to Shiva in Varanasi and was rewarded with the Sudarshana Chakra. The day celebrates their bond, with tulsi offered to Shiva and bael to Vishnu.
Is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi the same as Dev Deepawali?
No. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is on Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi, 23 November 2026. Dev Deepawali is the next day, 24 November, on Kartik Purnima. Both are linked to Varanasi traditions but they are separate observances with different rituals and timings.
What is Manikarnika Snan?
Manikarnika Snan is the early morning holy bath at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, taken at Arunodaya on Kartik Chaturdashi. As per Drik Panchang, it is very significant for Shiva devotees on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. Those far from Varanasi often bathe at home, sometimes adding a little Ganga jal.
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