Ekadashi 2026

The most powerful Ekadashi — fasting without water earns the merit of all 24 Ekadashis.

Lord Vishnu begins his four-month cosmic sleep (Chaturmas). Highly auspicious for devotees.

Lord Vishnu awakens from cosmic sleep (Chaturmas ends). Marks the start of marriage season.

Commemorates the birth of Ekadashi Devi from Lord Vishnu; the origin of all Ekadashis.

Grants victory over evil thoughts; leads to liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Also called Bhaimi Ekadashi.

Fasting with sesame (tila) offerings removes poverty, grief and spiritual obstacles.

Sacred to the Amalaki tree (Indian gooseberry); grants spiritual merit and moksha.

Fasting with sesame (tila) offerings removes poverty, grief and spiritual obstacles.

Fulfills all desires, removes grief and sin; especially powerful for wealth and peace.

Destroys all accumulated sins and the effects of adharma; purifies the mind.

Fulfills all desires, removes grief and sin; especially powerful for wealth and peace.

Destroys all accumulated sins and the effects of adharma; purifies the mind.

Destroys attachment, delusion and Maya; grants liberation and bestows divine grace.

Protects the devotee from misfortunes; fasting on this day grants wealth and spiritual merit.

The most powerful Ekadashi — fasting without water earns the merit of all 24 Ekadashis.

Removes all kinds of sins; grants fame, spiritual merit and liberation from bondage.

Lord Vishnu begins his four-month cosmic sleep (Chaturmas). Highly auspicious for devotees.

Fulfills the desire for progeny; purifies the soul and grants blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Fulfills worldly desires; purifies the soul and grants ancestral blessings.

Vishnu turns to the other side during Yoga Nidra; marks the midpoint of Chaturmas.

Destroys sins, fear of ghosts and all obstacles; grants liberation.

Destroys sins of even the greatest sinners; grants liberation and divine protection.

Dedicated to ancestors; fasting on this day frees departed souls and grants liberation.

Lord Vishnu awakens from cosmic sleep (Chaturmas ends). Marks the start of marriage season.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu; removes all obstacles and grants liberation and prosperity.

Fulfills the desire for progeny; purifies the soul and grants blessings of Lord Vishnu.

When to Start the Fast

• •Begin on Dashami (10th tithi) evening — avoid grains after sunset
• •Wake up before sunrise on Ekadashi
• •Take a bath and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu
• •Observe complete fast or partial fast as per capacity

What to Avoid

• •All grains: wheat, rice, dal, flour
• •Lentils and beans (chana, rajma, moong)
• •Onion, garlic, carrot, beetroot
• •Regular salt (use Sendha namak)
• •Non-vegetarian food
• •Tobacco and alcohol

What Can Be Consumed

• •Fruits — banana, apple, mango, coconut
• •Milk, curd, paneer, ghee
• •Sabudana (sago/tapioca)
• •Singhara (water chestnut) flour
• •Rajgira (amaranth) flour
• •Nuts, dry fruits, potatoes, sweet potato

Parana (Breaking the Fast)

• •Break fast on Dvadashi (12th tithi) morning
• •Break fast only after sunrise
• •Do it before Dvadashi tithi ends
• •Avoid Parana during Hari Vasara (first quarter of Dvadashi)
• •Offer food to a Brahmin or the needy first
• •Start with Tulsi water or Charnamrit