Ekadashi — the 11th tithi of Hindu panchang, occurring twice a month — Shukla Paksha Ekadashi and Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. Ekadashi vrat is dedicated to Lord Vishnu — according to scriptural belief, fasting on this day yields punya equivalent to crores of yajnas. Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Skanda Purana — all describe the glory of Ekadashi vrat in detail.
A lunar year has 24 Ekadashis — up to 26 in some years due to Adhik Maas. Each Ekadashi has its own name, story, and specific result. Nirjala Ekadashi is the hardest (without water), Devshayani most important (start of 4-month Chaturmas), auspicious work resumes from Devotthani. In this article, we will study all 24 Ekadashis of 2026 in detail — exact dates, paran timings, kathas, and vrat-procedure.
✦ Religious Significance of Ekadashi Vrat
The origin of Ekadashi vrat is described in the "Uttara Khanda" of Padma Purana. Once Lord Vishnu fought with a demon named Mura — tired, he rested in a cave near Badrinath. Mura attacked him, but a goddess emerged from Vishnu's body — who killed Mura. Pleased, Vishnu named her "Ekadashi" and granted her the boon that those observing her vrat would attain moksha.
On Ekadashi, grain (especially rice) is completely prohibited. According to scriptures, sin (Mura asura) resides in rice — eating rice on Ekadashi causes him to enter the body. Only fruits, milk, sago, water chestnut flour, rajgira, kuttu flour acceptable.
Three types of vrat: 1) Nirjala (without water also) — strictest, only on special Ekadashis (Nirjala, Devshayani). 2) Phalahar — fruits, milk, nuts. 3) Sattvik food — one-time phalahari meal. In modern times, most people observe "phalahar" vrat.
✦ 24 Ekadashis of 2026 — Exact Dates and Paran Times
January 2026: 5 January (Mon) — Saphala Ekadashi (Pausha Krishna). Paran: 6 January 7:15 AM. 19 January (Mon) — Putrada Ekadashi (Pausha Shukla). Paran: 20 January 7:13 AM.
February 2026: 4 February (Wed) — Shattila Ekadashi (Magha Krishna). Paran: 5 February 7:08 AM. 18 February (Wed) — Jaya Ekadashi (Magha Shukla). Paran: 19 February 6:58 AM.
March 2026: 5 March (Thu) — Vijaya Ekadashi (Phalguna Krishna). Paran: 6 March 6:45 AM. 19 March (Thu) — Amalaki Ekadashi (Phalguna Shukla). Paran: 20 March 6:30 AM.
April 2026: 4 April (Sat) — Papamochani Ekadashi (Chaitra Krishna). Paran: 5 April 6:12 AM. 18 April (Sat) — Kamada Ekadashi (Chaitra Shukla). Paran: 19 April 5:55 AM.
May 2026: 4 May (Mon) — Varuthini Ekadashi (Vaishakha Krishna). Paran: 5 May 5:43 AM. 18 May (Mon) — Mohini Ekadashi (Vaishakha Shukla). Paran: 19 May 5:33 AM.
June 2026: 11 June (Thu) — Apara Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Krishna). Paran: 12 June 5:25 AM. 25 June (Thu) — Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla) — most important. Paran: 26 June 5:24 AM.
July 2026: 1 July (Wed) — Yogini Ekadashi (Ashadha Krishna). Paran: 2 July 5:30 AM. 25 July (Sat) — Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadha Shukla) — Chaturmas begins. Paran: 17 July 5:35 AM.
August 2026: 31 July (Fri) — Kamika Ekadashi (Shravana Krishna). Paran: 1 August 5:45 AM. 14 August (Fri) — Putrada/Pavitra Ekadashi (Shravana Shukla). Paran: 15 August 5:55 AM.
September 2026: 29 August (Sat) — Aja Ekadashi (Bhadrapada Krishna). Paran: 30 August 6:00 AM. 13 September (Sun) — Parivartini Ekadashi (Bhadrapada Shukla). Paran: 14 September 6:10 AM.
October 2026: 28 September (Mon) — Indira Ekadashi (Ashwina Krishna). Paran: 29 September 6:15 AM. 13 October (Tue) — Papankusha Ekadashi (Ashwina Shukla). Paran: 14 October 6:20 AM.
November 2026: 27 October (Tue) — Rama Ekadashi (Kartika Krishna). Paran: 28 October 6:30 AM. 20 November (Fri) — Devotthani Ekadashi (Kartika Shukla) — Chaturmas ends, auspicious work resumes. Paran: 12 November 6:38 AM.
December 2026: 26 November (Thu) — Utpanna Ekadashi (Margashirsha Krishna). Paran: 27 November 6:50 AM. 11 December (Fri) — Mokshada Ekadashi / Gita Jayanti (Margashirsha Shukla). Paran: 12 December 7:00 AM. 25 December (Fri) — Saphala Ekadashi (Pausha Krishna). Paran: 26 December 7:10 AM.
✦ Special Ekadashis
Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla, 17 June 2026) — strictest. No water for full 24 hours. By observing this one Ekadashi, the punya of all 24 Ekadashis of the year is attained. In the Mahabharata, Bhima Sena observed only this one Ekadashi — therefore also called "Bhimaseni Ekadashi".
Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadha Shukla, 25 July 2026) — Chaturmas begins. Lord Vishnu sleeps in the Kshira Sagara for 4 months. During this period, marriage, griha pravesh, mundan — all mangalik activities prohibited. Worship of Lord Vishnu, Satyanarayan Katha, Vishnu Sahasranama recitation are more fruitful in 4 months.
Devotthani Ekadashi (Kartika Shukla, 20 November 2026) — Chaturmas ends. Lord Vishnu wakes from sleep. Auspicious work resumes. Tulsi Vivah festival on this day (next day in some regions). Marriage season begins.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi / Mokshada Ekadashi (Margashirsha Shukla, 11 December 2026) — also Gita Jayanti day. Lord Krishna gave the Gita teaching to Arjuna on this day. Observing vrat on this day opens the door to Vaikuntha — therefore "Vaikuntha Ekadashi". Special significance in South India.
✦ Ekadashi Vrat Procedure — Complete Process
Dashami (one day before Ekadashi): Light sattvic meal in the evening. Meat, alcohol, onion, garlic, masoor dal, rice prohibited. Observe brahmacharya. Preparation for Ekadashi.
Ekadashi morning: Wake before sunrise. Bathe. Yellow/white clothes. Take sankalpa — "I _____ today take Ekadashi vrat for grace of Lord Vishnu, attainment of moksha, and for _____ wish."
Worship: To the idol/picture of Lord Vishnu, panchamrita bath, sandal-tilak, tulsi leaves (special significance), yellow flowers, incense-lamp, fruit offering. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" 108 times.
Day rule: Niraharafari/phalahari vrat. Grain completely prohibited. Fruit, milk, sago, nuts, water chestnut flour, kuttu, rajgira acceptable. Water (except Nirjala) can be drunk.
Evening: Vishnu Sahasranama recitation or listening. Listen to Ekadashi katha (year-specific katha). Light a lamp. Night-vigil especially auspicious — "jagaran" with Vishnu-bhajan.
Dvadashi (Paran): Open vrat only after sunrise the next day. "Paran time" is given in panchang — usually within 1-2 hours after sunrise. Eat after feeding brahmins. First meal phalahari or light. Donation especially important — grain, clothing, cow.
✦ Benefits of Ekadashi Vrat
Religious benefits: Destruction of all sins, path to moksha-attainment. According to Padma Purana, one Ekadashi vrat gives punya equivalent to crores of yajnas. Removal of pitru-dosha, planetary doshas. Mental peace.
Physical benefits: According to modern medicine, 24-hour fasting is part of "intermittent fasting" — rest for digestive system, metabolism improvement, body detoxification. 2 times in 30 days (Shukla + Krishna Ekadashi) — a natural health system.
Mental benefits: Practice of self-control during vrat. Mind-control, victory over desires, spiritual progress. Performance in studies and meditation is considered higher in regular vrat-observers.
📚Sources & References
Content in this article is verified against the following classical and modern authoritative sources. Readers may independently verify against the original sources.
- ▪Surya Siddhanta — classical Sanskrit astronomical text (~5th century CE)
- ▪Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra — foundational text on Vedic astrology by Maharishi Parashara
- ▪Muhurta Chintamani by Ram Daivajna (16th century) — standard reference for muhurat selection
- ▪Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998) — basis for all astronomical computations on this site
- ▪Lahiri Ayanamsa — standard sidereal reference adopted by the Indian Calendar Reform Committee (1955)
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Why no rice on Ekadashi?▼
According to Padma Purana, Mata Ekadashi cursed Mura asura to reside in rice. Eating rice on Ekadashi allows the asura to enter the body and commit sins. From a modern view, rice is heavy grain — not suitable for digestion during a vrat-form fast.
Should women observe Ekadashi during menstruation?▼
Traditional rule: Vrat-puja prohibited during 4 days of menstruation. Modern view: Mental vrat (phalahar) can be done, but avoid touching idols and entering puja-room. Full vrat at paran time after re-purification.
How to know paran time?▼
Paran is necessary before end of Dvadashi tithi. Paran time given daily in panchang — usually 1-2 hour duration after sunrise. If Ekadashi and Dvadashi are on same day (at sunrise) — paran after that day's sunrise. Our calculator gives accurate paran time.
🔗Related Topics
Note: This content is published for educational and cultural reference. For personal religious or astrological decisions, please consult a qualified pandit or jyotishi.