Vrats

Ekadashi List 2026 - All 24 Dates, Names, Vrat Vidhi + Significance

11 min readPublished May 25, 2026

By Pandit Mahesh Trivedi · Festival Traditions & Panchang

Reviewed by Anjali Mehta · Editor, M.A. Religious Studies

Today's Panchang

Tithi · Nakshatra · Rahu Kaal

Mantra Jap

108-count companion

Ask about this

Pandit Ji - your question

All 24 Ekadashi Dates in 2026 with Names

January 2026:

Pausha Putrada Ekadashi - January 10, Saturday. For those desiring children. Krishna Paksha completed.
Shattila Ekadashi - January 25, Sunday. Sesame seed offerings remove past sins.

February 2026:

Jaya Ekadashi - February 8, Sunday. Removes evil spirits and ghostly afflictions.
Vijaya Ekadashi - February 23, Monday. Grants victory in difficult situations.

March 2026:

Amalaki Ekadashi - March 10, Tuesday. Worship of amalaki (gooseberry) tree under which Vishnu appeared.
Papamochani Ekadashi - March 25, Wednesday. Removes accumulated sins.

April 2026:

Kamada Ekadashi - April 8, Wednesday. Fulfills desires (kamana). Important for unmarried devotees.
Varuthini Ekadashi - April 24, Friday. Removes obstacles, grants prosperity.

May 2026:

Mohini Ekadashi - May 8, Friday. Vishnu's Mohini avatar story. Removes delusion (moha).
Apara Ekadashi - May 23, Saturday. Spiritual progress beyond limits (apara = boundless).

June 2026:

Nirjala Ekadashi - June 7, Sunday. THE MOST IMPORTANT - waterless fast. Equals all 24 Ekadashis combined.
Yogini Ekadashi - June 22, Monday. Removes burdens placed by curses (shaap-mukti).

July 2026:

Devshayani Ekadashi - July 6, Monday. Vishnu enters cosmic sleep (Chaturmas begins).
Kamika Ekadashi - July 21, Tuesday. Important during Chaturmas.

August 2026:

Pavitra Ekadashi - August 5, Wednesday. Purifies (pavitra) inner and outer life.
Aja Ekadashi - August 20, Thursday. Restores lost status, removes sin of past births.

September 2026:

Parsva Ekadashi - September 4, Friday. Vishnu turns his side (parsva) in cosmic sleep.
Indira Ekadashi - September 19, Saturday. Helps depart ancestors attain higher realms.

October 2026:

Papankusha Ekadashi - October 4, Sunday. Removes papa (sins) like an elephant goad.
Rama Ekadashi - October 19, Monday. Lord Rama-related. Powerful for Rama devotees.

November 2026:

Devotthani / Prabodhini Ekadashi - November 2, Monday. Vishnu wakes from cosmic sleep (Chaturmas ends). Tulsi Vivah begins.
Utpanna Ekadashi - November 17, Tuesday. Birth (utpanna) of Ekadashi as a Goddess.

December 2026:

Mokshada Ekadashi - December 2, Wednesday. Grants moksha (liberation). Bhagavad Gita Jayanti.
Saphala Ekadashi - December 17, Thursday. Grants saphala (fruitful) outcomes to all endeavors.

The Top 5 Most Powerful Ekadashis of 2026:

1. Nirjala Ekadashi (June 7) - the king of Ekadashis. Waterless fast for 24 hours. Equals 24 Ekadashis combined in punya.

2. Devshayani Ekadashi (July 6) - Vishnu's cosmic sleep begins. Start Chaturmas observances.

3. Mokshada Ekadashi (December 2) - directly grants moksha. Coincides with Gita Jayanti (the day Krishna gave Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna).

4. Devotthani Ekadashi (November 2) - Vishnu awakens. Marriage season officially begins. Tulsi-Shaligram vivah.

5. Vaikuntha Ekadashi (December 30, 2026) - the doors of Vaikuntha (Vishnu's abode) are open. Anyone fasting today is believed to gain entry to Vaikuntha after death.

Mark these on your calendar - even if you observe only these 5, you gain immense spiritual benefit.

Complete Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi - Rules + Parana Timing

Pre-Ekadashi (Dashami - the day before):

Eat only one satvik meal at noon.
Avoid: rice, masoor dal, urad, gram, mustard, honey, lentils.
Avoid: tobacco, alcohol, non-veg.
Sleep on floor (some traditions) or simple bed.
Mental preparation: read about Ekadashi to be observed.

Ekadashi Day - Full Vrat Vidhi:

Pre-dawn (Brahma Muhurta 4-5:30 AM): 1. Wake before sunrise. 2. Bath in cold water (or warm if elderly/sick). 3. Wear clean yellow or saffron clothes. 4. Sit facing east in puja room. 5. Place Vishnu/Krishna/Rama idol or picture. 6. Light a diya, incense. 7. Apply tilak of chandan + tulsi + akshat.

Sankalpa (resolution):

Take water in right palm.
State: 'I undertake Ekadashi vrat for spiritual purification and Lord Vishnu's grace.'
Sip the water.

Vishnu Puja: 1. Offer flowers (especially tulsi leaves - Vishnu's favorite). 2. Offer fruits, milk, panchamrit. 3. Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or any Vishnu stotra. 4. Chant 'Om Namo Narayanaya' or 'Hare Krishna Mahamantra' 108-1008 times. 5. Aarti.

Fasting rules:

Option 1 - Nirjala (without water):

Reserved for healthy adults; not for elderly, sick, or pregnant.
Only on Nirjala Ekadashi (the special one in June).
Complete water fast for 24 hours.

Option 2 - Falahar (fruit fast) - most common:

No grains, no salt, no oils, no spices.
Allowed: fruits, milk, curd, dry fruits, water, coconut water, sabudana (in some traditions).
Permitted: rock salt (sendha namak) if you cannot tolerate completely saltless.
Eat 1 or 2 falahar meals - typically morning and evening.

Option 3 - Phalahar with kuttu/singhada atta (modern Indian common):

Buckwheat (kuttu) and water chestnut (singhada) flour.
Make pakora, paratha, or halwa.
Potato, sweet potato, lauki, pumpkin allowed.
Eat one meal mid-day.

Option 4 - For sick/elderly/working women:

Single satvik meal: rice + dal + vegetables (without onion/garlic).
Or just milk + fruits if very weak.
Maintain spirit even if strict fast not possible.

Throughout Ekadashi Day:

Avoid sleeping during day.
Read Bhagavata Purana, Bhagavad Gita, or stories of the specific Ekadashi.
Chant Vishnu/Krishna mantras continuously when possible.
Avoid quarrels, gossip, lying.
Avoid haircuts, nail cutting.
Don't sleep with spouse (celibacy for the day).
Visit temple if possible.
Help needy people (food, money, kindness).

Evening:

Light a diya in temple/puja room.
Bhajans, kirtans.
Read about the next day's Dwadashi.
Sleep early.

Dwadashi (day after) - Parana:

Parana is breaking the fast. CRITICAL: must be done at correct time.

Parana rules:

Break fast AFTER sunrise but BEFORE Dwadashi tithi ends.
Specifically: in the first 1/4 of Dwadashi (called Hari Vasara end - within 2 hours of sunrise typically).
Eat first with Vishnu's prasad (food offered to Vishnu first).
Start with: water, then fruit, then full meal.
Continue avoiding the prohibited foods (rice/dal/urad still avoided on Dwadashi for some).
Donate food to a Brahmin or needy person before eating yourself.

What if you accidentally break fast or miss parana time?

Mentally apologize to Vishnu.
Resolve to observe next Ekadashi more carefully.
Some traditions: do special charity to compensate.
The intention matters more than perfect execution.

Special Ekadashi parana rules:

Nirjala Ekadashi: parana with tulsi water on Dwadashi morning.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi: extended parana ritual.
Mokshada Ekadashi: study Bhagavad Gita on Dwadashi.

Quick Answers

Can diabetic or sick people observe Ekadashi vrat?+

Yes, but modify carefully. Diabetics should NEVER do nirjala (waterless) or strict falahar - blood sugar dips are dangerous. Recommended modifications: (1) Eat 3-4 small fruit-based meals through the day to maintain glucose. (2) Avoid sweet fruits like banana, mango; prefer apple, papaya, guava. (3) Drink water frequently. (4) Continue all medications on schedule. (5) Spiritually focus on mantra, devotion, charity - these are the deeper essence of vrat. The 'fast' is to reduce Tamasic food and increase Sattvic awareness - which a sick person can achieve with modified diet. Consult your doctor before any major fasting. Vishnu accepts modified vrat from sincere devotees.

Why is Nirjala Ekadashi considered most important?+

Nirjala Ekadashi falls in June (Jyeshtha month - hottest summer). The 24-hour waterless fast in scorching heat is extremely challenging. Tradition says: observing this ONE Ekadashi grants the same punya as observing ALL 24 Ekadashis combined. The reason: in extreme conditions, the spiritual willpower required transforms the soul more than easy fasting could. Bhima (the Pandava who could not fast on other Ekadashis due to massive appetite) was advised to do at least Nirjala - giving the day its alternate name 'Bhima Ekadashi'. For working people who can't observe all 24 Ekadashis, doing Nirjala captures the entire year's benefit in one day.

What if Ekadashi tithi spans two days - which day to fast?+

Follow this rule strictly: fast on the SECOND day (when the Ekadashi tithi continues into sunrise of the second day). This is the 'Shuddha Ekadashi' (pure Ekadashi). Fasting on the first day when Dashami still spans part of the day creates 'Viddha Ekadashi' (impure) which doesn't give full benefit. ISKCON and most Vaishnava traditions follow this rule strictly. Check authoritative Panchangs (Drik, Vaishnava, ISKCON) for your region. Most Vandnaa app/website panchangs follow this rule automatically - so the date shown is the correct fasting date.

Can I do partial Ekadashi - say only morning fast and lunch normal?+

Partial observance is better than nothing, especially for beginners. Recommended progressive approach: Month 1-2: Avoid rice/grains only on Ekadashi (eat falahar foods, normal meals). Month 3-4: Single satvik meal at noon, falahar otherwise. Month 5-6: Strict falahar all day. Month 7+: Choose your level (falahar, single meal, or strict nirjala for special Ekadashis). Start with what's sustainable - 24 partial Ekadashis is far better than 2 perfect Ekadashis followed by giving up. Vishnu values consistent effort over occasional perfection.

About the author

Pandit Mahesh Trivedi · Festival Traditions & Panchang

Pandit Mahesh leads the festival-date and Panchang content on Vandnaa. He cross-references multiple regional panchangs (Drik, Vaishnava, Bengali, Marathi) for every festival date published on the site.

Meet the Vandnaa editorial team →

Listen all aartis, mantras & bhajans in one place.

Download Vandnaa App.

Download Now