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Ekadashi

Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of both the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) phases of the Hindu lunar month. This sacred day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and observing Ekadashi fasting is believed to cleanse the mind, body and soul while removing past karmic sins. Among the 24 (sometimes 26) Ekadashis in a year, Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most powerful because its observance is believed to grant the benefits of all Ekadashi fasts combined.



Background

According to Hindu scriptures, the day of Ekadashi originated when Lord Vishnu blessed a divine goddess born from His own energy. Vishnu named her Ekadashi and granted her a boon:
Anyone who observes the Ekadashi fast with devotion and purity will be freed from sins and attain Vaikuntha, the divine abode of Lord Vishnu.

Significance of Ekadashi

Ekadashi has several names depending on the story associated with it.
One of the most popular Ekadashis is Nirjala Ekadashi, also called:

  • Bhimseni Ekadashi
  • Pandava Ekadashi
  • Bhima Ekadashi

According to legend, Bhima (from the Mahabharata) loved food and found it difficult to fast twice a month. Sage Vyasa advised him to keep Nirjala Ekadashi – a waterless fast – once a year, which would grant him the merit of all 24 Ekadashis. Hence, those unable to observe all Ekadashis can gain equivalent spiritual merit by keeping Nirjala Ekadashi vrat.

Benefits of Ekadashi Fasting

  • Purifies the body by allowing digestive rest
  • Removes negative karma
  • Enhances spiritual growth
  • Improves mental clarity
  • Pleases ancestors and deities
  • Promotes self‑discipline and devotion
  • Helps cultivate sattvic consciousness
  • Considered auspicious for health, prosperity and protection

Many devotees avoid grains, lentils, and high‑carb foods, focusing instead on fruits and fasting-friendly items.

Presiding Deity

  • Lord Vishnu

Types of Ekadashi (Major List)

There are 24 main Ekadashis celebrated annually:

1.  Putrada Ekadashi

2.  Sattila Ekadashi

3.  Jaya Ekadashi

4.  Amalaki Ekadashi

5.  Papmochani Ekadashi

6.  Kamada Ekadashi

7.  Varuthini Ekadashi

8.  Gauna Mohini Ekadashi

9.  Apara Ekadashi

10. Nirjala Ekadashi

11. Yogini Ekadashi

12. Devshayani (Padma/Devashyani) Ekadashi

13. Kamika Ekadashi

14. Aja Ekadashi

15. Parivartini (Parsva/Vamana) Ekadashi

16. Indira Ekadashi

17. Padmini Ekadashi

18. Parama Ekadashi

19. Papankusha Ekadashi

20. Rama Ekadashi

21. Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi

22. Utpanna Ekadashi

23. Mokshada Ekadashi

24. Mukkoti Ekadashi

Ekadashi Rituals (Step-by-Step)

1. Morning Routine

  • Wake up early during Brahma Muhurat
  • Bathe in a holy river such as Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, or Kaveri
  • If unable, mix a few drops of Ganga Jal in bathing water

2. Puja Procedure

  • Wear clean clothes
  • Light a ghee or sesame oil lamp
  • Offer:
    • Jal (water)
    • Flowers
    • Sandal paste
    • Deep (lamp)
    • Dhoop (incense)
    • Naivedya (fruits/sweets)
  • Chant:
    “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
  • Read or listen to Ekadashi Vrat Katha
  • Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra

3. Charity

Donate food, clothes, rice, fruits, or money to Brahmins, cows, or needy individuals.

4. Evening Rituals

  • Light a lamp again at sunset
  • Offer fruits, tulsi leaves, and bhog
  • Meditate on Lord Vishnu

Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)

In ancient times, King Mahidhwaj was a noble and righteous ruler. His younger brother, filled with envy, murdered him and buried him beneath a Peepal tree.
King Mahidhwaj’s spirit became restless due to the unnatural death and began to trouble the surroundings.

One day, Sage Dhaumya passed by and sensed the unrest of the spirit through his divine insight. The sage performed Apara Ekadashi fast to liberate the king's soul. Through the power of his penance and vrat, the spirit was freed and ascended to heaven.

This story emphasizes the power of Ekadashi fasting in liberating souls from suffering.

Aarti: Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti

Om Jai Ekadashi, Jai Ekadashi, Jai Ekadashi Mata।

Vishnu Puja Vrat Ko Dharan Kar, Shakti Mukti Pata॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Tere Naam Ginau Devi, Bhakti PradanKarni।

Gan Gaurav Ki Deni Mata, Shashtro Mein Varni॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Margashirsha KeKrishnapaksha Ki UtapannaVishvatariniJanmi।

Shukla Paksha Mein Hui Mokshada, Muktidata Ban Aayi॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

PaushKeKrishnapaksha Ki SaphalaNaamak Hai।

Shuklapaksha Mein HoyePutrada, Anand Adhik Rahe॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Naam ShattilaMagh Maas Mein, KrishnapakshaAave।

Shuklapaksha Mein Jaya Kahave, Vijay Sada Pave॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Vijaya Phalguna Krishnapaksha Mein Shukla Amalaki।

Papmochani Krishna Paksha Mein Chaitra Mahabali Ki॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Chaitra Shukla Mein Naam Kamada, Dhan Dene Wali।

Naam Varuthini Krishna Paksha Mein, VaishakhaMaahWali॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Shukla Paksha Mein Hoye Mohini AparaJyeshthaKrishnapakshi।

Naam Nirjala Sab SukhaKarni, Shuklapaksha Rakhi॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Yogini Naam Ashadha Mein Jano, KrishnapakshaKarni।

Devshayani Naam Kahayo, Shuklapaksha Dharani॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Kamika Shravan Maas Mein Aave, KrishnapakshaKahiye।

Sharvan Shukla Hoye Pavitra Anand Se Rahiye॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Aja Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha Ki, Parivartini Shukla।

Indra AashwinKrishnapaksha Mein, Vrat Se BhavsagarNikla॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Papankusha Hai Shukla Paksha Mein, AapHaranahari।

Rama Maas Kartik Mein Aave, SukhdayakBhari॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Devotthani Shukla Paksha Ki, DukhnashakMaiya।

Paavan Maas Mein KaruVinitiPaar Karo Naiya॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Parama Krishna Paksha Mein Hoti, Jana Mangal Karni।

Shukla Maas Mein hoye Padmini, DukhDaridraHarni॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Jo Koi Aarti Ekadashi Ki, Bhakti SahitaGaave।

Jan Gurdita Swarga Ka Vasa, Nishchay Vah Paave॥

Om Jai Ekadashi…॥

Mantras for Ekadashi

1. Vishnu Mantra

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”

2. Hare Krishna Mahamantra (108 times)

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”

How to Break the Fast (Parana)

  • Parana is done the next morning, within the prescribed time
  • Consume:
    • Fruits
    • Milk
    • Light sattvic foods
  • Strictly avoid:
    • Grains
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Lentils
    • Non‑vegetarian food

Always offer Tulsi leaves and bhog to Lord Vishnu before breaking the fast.

Allowed Foods (Vrat-Friendly)

  • Sabudana khichdi
  • Sabudana vada
  • Sabudana kheer
  • Sabudana laddoo
  • Sabudana tikki
  • Sabudana bhel
  • Fruits, milk, coconut water

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Wake up early
  • Practice self-control
  • Worship Vishnu or Krishna
  • Chant mantras
  • Offer charity

Don’ts

  • Do not consume rice, grains, lentils
  • Avoid garlic, onion, alcohol
  • Avoid non-vegetarian food
  • Avoid anger, arguments, and negativity
  • Avoid travel (traditional belief)

Ekadashi Date & Time


January 14, 2026, Wednesday

Shattila Ekadashi

Begins - 03:17 PM, Jan 13

Ends - 05:52 PM, Jan 14


January 29, 2026, Thursday

Jaya Ekadashi

Begins - 04:35 PM, Jan 28

Ends - 01:55 PM, Jan 29


February 13, 2026, Friday

Vijaya Ekadashi

Begins - 12:22 PM, Feb 12

Ends - 02:25 PM, Feb 13


February 27, 2026, Friday

Amalaki Ekadashi

Begins - 12:33 AM, Feb 27

Ends - 10:32 PM, Feb 27


March 15, 2026, Sunday

Vishnushrinkhala Yoga Dwadashi

Begins - 08:10 AM, Mar 14

Ends - 09:16 AM, Mar 15


March 29, 2026, Sunday

Kamada Ekadashi

Begins - 08:45 AM, Mar 28

Ends - 07:46 AM, Mar 29


April 13, 2026, Monday

Varuthini Ekadashi

Begins - 01:16 AM, Apr 13

Ends - 01:08 AM, Apr 14


April 27, 2026, Monday

Mohini Ekadashi

Begins - 06:06 PM, Apr 26

Ends - 06:15 PM, Apr 27


May 13, 2026, Wednesday

Apara Ekadashi

Begins - 02:52 PM, May 12

Ends - 01:29 PM, May 13


May 27, 2026, Wednesday

Unmilini Mahadwadashi

Padmini Ekadashi

Begins - 05:10 AM, May 26

Ends - 06:21 AM, May 27


June 11, 2026, Thursday

Parama Ekadashi

Begins - 12:57 AM, Jun 11

Ends - 10:36 PM, Jun 11


June 25, 2026, Thursday

Nirjala Ekadashi

Begins - 06:12 PM, Jun 24

Ends - 08:09 PM, Jun 25


July 10, 2026, Friday

Yogini Ekadashi

Begins - 08:16 AM, Jul 10

Ends - 05:22 AM, Jul 11


July 25, 2026, Saturday

Devshayani Ekadashi

Begins - 09:12 AM, Jul 24

Ends - 11:34 AM, Jul 25


August 9, 2026, Sunday

Kamika Ekadashi

Begins - 01:59 PM, Aug 08

Ends - 11:04 AM, Aug 09


August 23, 2026, Sunday

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Begins - 02:00 AM, Aug 23

Ends - 04:18 AM, Aug 24


September 7, 2026, Monday

Aja Ekadashi

Begins - 07:29 PM, Sep 06

Ends - 05:03 PM, Sep 07


September 22, 2026, Tuesday

Vishnushrinkhala Yoga Dwadashi

Parsva Ekadashi

Begins - 08:00 PM, Sep 21

Ends - 09:43 PM, Sep 22


October 6, 2026, Tuesday

Indira Ekadashi

Begins - 02:07 AM, Oct 06

Ends - 12:34 AM, Oct 07


October 22, 2026, Thursday

Papankusha Ekadashi

Begins - 02:11 PM, Oct 21

Ends - 02:47 PM, Oct 22


November 5, 2026, Thursday

Rama Ekadashi

Begins - 11:03 AM, Nov 04

Ends - 10:35 AM, Nov 05


November 20, 2026, Friday

Devutthana Ekadashi

Begins - 07:15 AM, Nov 20

Ends - 06:31 AM, Nov 21


December 4, 2026, Friday

Utpanna Ekadashi

Begins - 11:03 PM, Dec 03

Ends - 11:44 PM, Dec 04


December 20, 2026, Sunday

Mokshada Ekadashi

Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Begins - 10:09 PM, Dec 19

Ends - 08:14 PM, Dec 20