Ekadashi 2026 — एकादशी

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.