Ekadashi 2026 — एकादशी
23 occurrences in 2026 • Kanke • Deity: Vishnu
All Occurrences — 23 Ekadashi occurrences in 2026
| # | Date | Day | Paksha | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 Jan 2026 | Wednesday | Krishna | — |
| 2 | 29 Jan 2026 | Thursday | Shukla | — |
| 3 | 13 Feb 2026 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 4 | 27 Feb 2026 | Friday | Shukla | — |
| 5 | 14 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Krishna | — |
| 6 | 28 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Shukla | — |
| 7 | 13 Apr 2026 | Monday | Krishna | — |
| 8 | 27 Apr 2026 | Monday | Shukla | — |
| 9 | 13 May 2026 | Wednesday | Krishna | — |
| 10 | 26 May 2026 | Tuesday | Shukla | — |
| 11 | 11 Jun 2026 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 12 | 25 Jun 2026 | Thursday | Shukla | — |
| 13 | 10 Jul 2026 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 14 | 24 Jul 2026 | Friday | Shukla | — |
| 15 | 23 Aug 2026 | Sunday | Shukla | — |
| 16 | 07 Sep 2026 | Monday | Krishna | — |
| 17 | 22 Sep 2026 | Tuesday | Shukla | — |
| 18 | 06 Oct 2026 | Tuesday | Krishna | — |
| 19 | 22 Oct 2026 | Thursday | Shukla | — |
| 20 | 04 Nov 2026 | Wednesday | Krishna | — |
| 21 | 20 Nov 2026 | Friday | Shukla | — |
| 22 | 04 Dec 2026 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 23 | 20 Dec 2026 | Sunday | Shukla | — |
Each Ekadashi has its own classical name (Nirjala, Devshayani, Mokshada, etc.) determined by the Hindu lunar month — see the 24 Named Ekadashi section below for stories, benefits, and significance.
The next Ekadashi in Kanke falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 — 5 days from now.
What is Ekadashi? एकादशी
Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day in each fortnight of the Hindu lunar month. Sacred to Lord Vishnu, it is the most observed fasting day in Sanatana Dharma — falling 24 times a year (with two extra in Adhik Maas years). Each Ekadashi has its own name, story (mahatmya), and specific spiritual benefit.
एकादशी हिन्दू चन्द्र मास के प्रत्येक पक्ष का ग्यारहवाँ तिथि है। भगवान विष्णु को समर्पित यह सनातन धर्म का सर्वाधिक पालन किया जाने वाला उपवास दिवस है — वर्ष में 24 बार आता है।
24 Named Ekadashi
Each Ekadashi has its own name, story, and benefit determined by the lunar month it falls in. Click any name to read its full mythology, benefit, and special observance notes.
Pausha Putrada Ekadashi पौष पुत्रदा एकादशी
Pausha Shukla Paksha: Boon of righteous progeny; relief from childlessness; protection of family lineage
Shattila Ekadashi षट्तिला एकादशी
Magha Krishna Paksha: Removes poverty; cleanses past karma; brings prosperity through donation of sesame
Jaya Ekadashi जया एकादशी
Magha Shukla Paksha: Freedom from preta (ghost) yoni; victory over enemies and obstacles; release from curses
Vijaya Ekadashi विजया एकादशी
Phalguna Krishna Paksha: Victory in lawsuits, court cases, business disputes, and competitions
Amalaki Ekadashi आमलकी एकादशी
Phalguna Shukla Paksha: Health, longevity, and liberation; sins of past life destroyed
Papmochani Ekadashi पापमोचनी एकादशी
Chaitra Krishna Paksha: Forgiveness of sins; release from accumulated negative karma; purification of soul
Kamada Ekadashi कामदा एकादशी
Chaitra Shukla Paksha: Fulfillment of legitimate desires; removes curses; reunites separated couples
Varuthini Ekadashi वरूथिनी एकादशी
Vaishakha Krishna Paksha: Protection from misfortune; warrior-like strength; success in undertakings
Mohini Ekadashi मोहिनी एकादशी
Vaishakha Shukla Paksha: Freedom from delusion, attachment, and ignorance; clarity of purpose
Apara Ekadashi अपरा एकादशी
Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha: Frees ancestors from preta yoni; immense punya (merit) — equal to gifting cows, gold, and earth
Nirjala Ekadashi निर्जला एकादशी
Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha: Merit of all 24 Ekadashis combined in one observance; longevity, health, and moksha
Yogini Ekadashi योगिनी एकादशी
Ashadha Krishna Paksha: Cures skin diseases; removes leprosy and chronic illness; equivalent to feeding 88,000 Brahmins
Devshayani Ekadashi देवशयनी एकादशी
Ashadha Shukla Paksha: Marks the start of Chaturmas — period of intensified spiritual practice
Kamika Ekadashi कामिका एकादशी
Shravana Krishna Paksha: Removes sins, including unintentional ones; equivalent to bathing in all sacred rivers
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi श्रावण पुत्रदा एकादशी
Shravana Shukla Paksha: Boon of son; protection of children; family welfare
Aja Ekadashi अजा एकादशी
Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha: Restoration of lost wealth and position; return of deceased family members in next life; truth-power
Parsva Ekadashi पार्श्व एकादशी
Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha: Cures bodily ailments; reduces karmic debt; merit of vajapeya yajna
Indira Ekadashi इन्दिरा एकादशी
Ashwin Krishna Paksha: Liberation of departed ancestors; freedom from pitru dosha; merit transfers to forefathers
Papankusha Ekadashi पापांकुशा एकादशी
Ashwin Shukla Paksha: Unlimited punya; even one observance cleanses lifetimes of sins
Rama Ekadashi रमा एकादशी
Kartika Krishna Paksha: Boon of moksha; spousal harmony; reunion with separated loved ones
Devuthani Ekadashi देवउठनी एकादशी
Kartika Shukla Paksha: End of Chaturmas; resumption of auspicious work; Tulsi-Shaligram marriage merit
Utpanna Ekadashi उत्पन्ना एकादशी
Margashirsha Krishna Paksha: First Ekadashi vrat that beginners are advised to start with; protection from demonic forces
Mokshada Ekadashi मोक्षदा एकादशी
Margashirsha Shukla Paksha: Moksha (liberation from samsara); benefit transfers to ancestors; Gita-shravana merit
Saphala Ekadashi सफला एकादशी
Pausha Krishna Paksha: All endeavors become 'saphala' (successful); reunion of estranged family members; restoration of lost positions
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure) व्रत विधि
The traditional step-by-step procedure for observing Ekadashi, drawn from classical Vedic sources.
Dashami Eve Preparation — दशमी संध्या तैयारी
On the day before Ekadashi (Dashami), eat only one satvik meal before sunset. Avoid grains, lentils, onion, garlic, masala. Sleep early after a clean bath.
Ekadashi Sankalpa at Sunrise — एकादशी संकल्प
Wake before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta is best). Take bath, wear clean clothes (preferably yellow or white). Stand facing east, hold water and tulsi leaves in your right hand, take sankalpa (vow): 'Today I observe [Name] Ekadashi vrat for the welfare of all beings and to please Lord Vishnu.' Release water on the ground.
Ekadashi Day Practice — एकादशी दिन साधना
Maintain fasting per your tier: Nirjala (without water — for the strong), Phalahar (fruits, milk, water — most common), or Saatvik (one fruit-and-milk meal at noon). No grains, beans, lentils, masala. Spend the day in Vishnu-naam japa, reading Bhagavad Gita / Vishnu Sahasranama, or temple visit.
Evening Vishnu Puja — सायंकाल विष्णु पूजा
Light a ghee lamp before Vishnu (or Krishna/Rama/Shaligram) image. Offer tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, fruits, panchamrit. Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or read one chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Aarti.
Dwadashi Parana — द्वादशी पारणा
Break the fast next morning (Dwadashi) at the prescribed parana time — ideally after sunrise within the parana window (typically the first quarter of Dwadashi). Begin with tulsi water, then a satvik meal. Donate food, clothes, or money before eating yourself. Never break Ekadashi vrat after the parana window closes — wait till next day.
Food Rules आहार नियम
Allowed
- Fruits (all)
- Milk, curd, paneer (in moderation)
- Sabudana (tapioca pearls)
- Singhada / kuttu / rajgira atta (in some traditions)
- Sendha namak (rock salt) only
- Potato, sweet potato
- Coconut, dry fruits, makhana
- Water (unless Nirjala)
Forbidden
- All grains (rice, wheat, oats, millet, jowar, bajra)
- All lentils and pulses (dal, rajma, chana, chole)
- Onion, garlic, mushroom
- Regular salt (only sendha namak)
- Spices (only mild — jeera, mirch, dhaniya in moderation)
- Meat, eggs, fish
- Alcohol
- Honey (avoided by some)
Mantras मंत्र
Sacred mantras to chant during Ekadashi for maximum spiritual benefit. Recite with devotion and proper pronunciation.
Looking for more? Browse our complete library of Vedic Scriptures — Chalisas, Stotras, Aartis, and Mantras.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ekadashi are there in a year?
There are 24 Ekadashis in a normal year — one in each Paksha (Shukla and Krishna) of each lunar month. In years with an Adhik Maas (extra month), there are 26 Ekadashis.
When is the next Ekadashi?
The next Ekadashi is shown at the top of this page, calculated for your selected city. Each Ekadashi has a specific name (Nirjala, Devshayani, etc.) and falls 11 days after every Amavasya and Purnima.
Can I drink water during Ekadashi vrat?
Yes, in most Ekadashi vratas water is permitted along with fruits, milk, and approved fasting foods. Only Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla, in summer) is observed without water — it is considered the most rigorous and is voluntary, not obligatory.
What food can I eat on Ekadashi?
Allowed: all fruits, milk, curd, paneer, sabudana, singhada/kuttu/rajgira flour, potato, sweet potato, makhana, dry fruits, sendha namak (rock salt). Forbidden: all grains, all lentils, onion, garlic, regular salt, alcohol, meat, eggs.
What is Parana?
Parana is the breaking of the Ekadashi fast on the next morning (Dwadashi). It must happen within a specific window — typically after sunrise during the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi. Breaking the fast outside this window is considered to nullify the vrat's benefit. The exact parana time depends on your location's sunrise.
Which is the most powerful Ekadashi?
Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla, May/June) is considered to give the merit of all 24 Ekadashis combined — observed without water. Devshayani and Devuthani Ekadashi (start and end of Chaturmas) and Mokshada Ekadashi (Gita Jayanti) are also extremely significant.
Should pregnant women or sick people fast on Ekadashi?
No — Vedic dharma explicitly exempts pregnant women, nursing mothers, sick people, children under 12, and elderly above 80 from strict fasting. They may observe a 'mansik vrat' (mental observance) — chanting Vishnu naam and eating saatvik vegetarian food. Health is prioritized over fasting.
Can I sleep during Ekadashi?
Excessive sleep is discouraged. Traditional Ekadashi observance includes Jagaran (night vigil) — staying awake chanting Vishnu naam, reading scriptures, or doing kirtan. The night of Ekadashi (especially Vaikuntha and Devuthani) is considered most spiritually charged.