Ekadashi 2026: Complete Dates & Fasting Guide

Ekadashi is the 11th tithi (lunar day) of each fortnight in the Hindu calendar. It occurs twice every lunar month — once during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and once during Krishna Paksha (waning moon) — making 24 Ekadashis per year.

Ekadashi is one of the most widely observed vrats (fasts) in Hinduism, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Millions of devotees across India and the diaspora observe Ekadashi fasting as a regular spiritual practice.

Why Observe Ekadashi?

According to the Padma Purana and other scriptures, observing Ekadashi vrat:

• Purifies the mind and body — the fortnightly fast aligns with the lunar cycle's effect on the body
• Brings spiritual merit — considered equal to performing elaborate yagnas
• Cultivates discipline — regular practice builds self-control and devotion
• Honors Lord Vishnu — each Ekadashi has a specific story and blessing associated with it

The great sage Vyasa said: "There is no vrat equal to the Ekadashi vrat, no knowledge equal to the knowledge of the Self, and no charity equal to the gift of food."

Ekadashi Dates in 2026

Each Ekadashi has a unique name and significance. The dates below are based on the Lahiri ayanamsa and may vary slightly by location — use the KAAL app for timings calculated for your exact city.

Shukla Paksha Ekadashis (Waxing Moon)

| Month | Ekadashi Name | Approximate Date | Significance | |-------|--------------|-------------------|-------------| | Pausha | Putrada Ekadashi | Jan 2026 | Grants the blessing of children | | Magha | Jaya Ekadashi | Feb 2026 | Destroys sins and grants liberation | | Phalguna | Amalaki Ekadashi | Mar 2026 | Associated with the sacred Amla tree | | Chaitra | Kamada Ekadashi | Apr 2026 | Fulfills desires and removes past karma | | Vaishakha | Mohini Ekadashi | May 2026 | Lord Vishnu appeared as Mohini | | Jyeshtha | Nirjala Ekadashi | Jun 2026 | Most austere — no food or water | | Ashadha | Devshayani Ekadashi | Jul 2026 | Lord Vishnu enters cosmic sleep (Chaturmas begins) | | Shravana | Putrada Ekadashi | Aug 2026 | Also grants blessing of children | | Bhadrapada | Parsva Ekadashi | Sep 2026 | Lord Vishnu turns on his side | | Ashwin | Papankusha Ekadashi | Oct 2026 | Destroys accumulated sins | | Kartik | Devuthani Ekadashi | Nov 2026 | Lord Vishnu awakens (Chaturmas ends) | | Margashirsha | Mokshada Ekadashi | Dec 2026 | The day Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita |

Krishna Paksha Ekadashis (Waning Moon)

| Month | Ekadashi Name | Approximate Date | Significance | |-------|--------------|-------------------|-------------| | Pausha | Saphala Ekadashi | Jan 2026 | Grants success in all endeavors | | Magha | Shattila Ekadashi | Feb 2026 | Associated with sesame (til) offerings | | Phalguna | Vijaya Ekadashi | Mar 2026 | Grants victory — Lord Rama observed it | | Chaitra | Papmochani Ekadashi | Mar-Apr 2026 | Destroys even the greatest sins | | Vaishakha | Varuthini Ekadashi | Apr-May 2026 | Protects from worldly attachments | | Jyeshtha | Apara Ekadashi | May-Jun 2026 | Grants fame and removes infamy | | Ashadha | Yogini Ekadashi | Jun-Jul 2026 | Removes the sin of unintentionally harming life | | Shravana | Kamika Ekadashi | Jul-Aug 2026 | Grants the merit of ashvamedha yagna | | Bhadrapada | Aja Ekadashi | Aug-Sep 2026 | Removes the sin of killing | | Ashwin | Indira Ekadashi | Sep-Oct 2026 | Liberates ancestors from lower realms | | Kartik | Rama Ekadashi | Oct-Nov 2026 | Named after Lord Rama — grants great merit | | Margashirsha | Utpanna Ekadashi | Nov-Dec 2026 | The birth of Ekadashi Devi herself |

Note: Exact dates depend on your location and the ayanamsa system used. The KAAL app calculates precise Ekadashi timings for your city.

How to Observe Ekadashi Vrat

Preparation (Dashami — the Day Before)

• Eat a simple, sattvic dinner before sunset on Dashami (the 10th tithi)
• Set your intention for the fast
• Avoid tamasic foods (onion, garlic, heavy meals)

On Ekadashi Day

Strict fast (Nirjala):

• No food or water for the entire Ekadashi period
• Only practiced on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi (Nirjala Ekadashi) by most devotees
• Consult a health professional before attempting

Standard fast (Phalahari):

• Avoid all grains and beans (rice, wheat, lentils, dal)
• Permitted: fruits, nuts, milk, potatoes, buckwheat (kuttu), water chestnut flour (singhara), rock salt (sendha namak)
• One meal is customary, though some take two light meals

Minimal observance:

• Even avoiding rice alone on Ekadashi is considered meritorious
• Focus on devotion: chanting, reading, prayer

Spiritual Practices

• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu)
• Read the Ekadashi Mahatmya (glory story) for that specific Ekadashi
• Chant: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
• If possible, visit a Vishnu temple
• Practice charity — donate food, clothing, or money

Parana (Breaking the Fast — Dwadashi)

• Break your fast during the parana window on Dwadashi (the 12th tithi)
• The parana window opens after sunrise on Dwadashi and closes before the end of Dwadashi tithi
• Eat simple, grain-based food to break the fast
• KAAL shows the exact parana timing for your location

Special Ekadashis

Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla)

The most rigorous Ekadashi — devotees fast without food or water for the entire day. It's believed that observing Nirjala Ekadashi grants the merit of observing all 24 Ekadashis.

Devshayani & Devuthani Ekadashi

These two Ekadashis mark the boundaries of Chaturmas — the four-month period when Lord Vishnu sleeps. Devshayani (Ashadha Shukla) begins the period, and Devuthani (Kartik Shukla) ends it. Weddings and auspicious activities are typically avoided during Chaturmas.

Mokshada Ekadashi (Margashirsha Shukla)

Celebrated as Gita Jayanti — the day Lord Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Many devotees complete a full reading of the Gita on this day.

Ekadashi and Health

Modern intermittent fasting research aligns with what the tradition has practiced for millennia. The twice-monthly Ekadashi fast provides regular digestive rest, and the grain-free protocol reduces glycemic load. While the primary motivation is spiritual, many practitioners report improved energy and clarity on fast days.

Track Every Ekadashi with KAAL

Never miss an Ekadashi date or parana window. KAAL shows:

• Exact Ekadashi tithi start and end times for your location
• Parana (fast-breaking) window on Dwadashi
• Festival and vrat notifications so you can prepare in advance

Download KAAL on the App Store