Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026: Date and the Hari-Hara Milan of Vishnu and Shiva
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026 is on Monday, 23 November, the day before Kartik Purnima. The Chaturdashi of Kartik Shukla paksha begins at 2:38 AM and ends at 11:43 PM the same day. It is the one day of the year on which Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped together, each honouring the other.
संक्षेप में: वैकुंठ चतुर्दशी 2026 सोमवार, 23 नवम्बर को है। चतुर्दशी रात 2:38 से रात 11:43 तक है। यह हरि-हर मिलन का दिन है, जब शिव को तुलसी और विष्णु को बिल्व पत्र अर्पित होता है। वाराणसी में भोर का मणिकर्णिका स्नान इस दिन का मुख्य स्नान है, और विष्णु पूजा रात 11:43 से पहले पूरी कर लेनी चाहिए। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026: date and tithi
- Vaikuntha Chaturdashi: Monday, 23 November 2026
- Chaturdashi begins: 23 November, 2:38 AM
- Chaturdashi ends: 23 November, 11:43 PM
- Kartik Purnima: Tuesday, 24 November
Traditionally Vishnu is worshipped at nishita, the midnight muhurta, and Shiva at dawn. In Delhi nishita this year begins at 11:41 PM, only two minutes before the Chaturdashi ends, so most households complete the Vishnu puja before 11:43 PM.
The story of Hari-Hara milan
The Shiva Purana tells that Vishnu came to Kashi to worship Shiva with a thousand lotuses. Shiva hid one to test him; finding one missing, Vishnu, whose eyes are called lotus-like, offered one of his own eyes in its place. Moved, Shiva gave him the Sudarshan chakra. On this day the two exchange their favourite offerings: tulsi, which belongs to Vishnu, is offered to Shiva, and bilva, Shiva’s leaf, to Vishnu. The Shiva-Ramashtakam celebrates the same unity.
How Vaikuntha Chaturdashi is observed
In Varanasi devotees bathe at the Manikarnika ghat at dawn, the most important snan of the day. In Ujjain the procession of Mahakal goes to the Gopal temple for the Hari-Hara milan. At home, worship Vishnu with lotus or tulsi and Shiva with bilva leaves, light lamps, and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Shiv Chalisa. The next day is Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali.
Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2026: FAQs
When is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi in 2026?
On Monday, 23 November 2026. The Chaturdashi runs from 2:38 AM to 11:43 PM.
Why is it called Vaikuntha Chaturdashi?
Devotion on this day is believed to open the gates of Vaikuntha, Vishnu’s abode; it is also the day Vishnu worshipped Shiva in Kashi.
What is Hari-Hara milan?
The meeting of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara). On this day each is worshipped with the other’s offering: tulsi to Shiva, bilva to Vishnu.
When should the Vishnu puja be done in 2026?
Traditionally at nishita, but in 2026 the Chaturdashi ends at 11:43 PM, just as nishita begins in Delhi, so complete the puja before then.
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