About Ekadashi
Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day (Tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Hindu calendar month – the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight) and the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight). Observing Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism, and many devotees fast on these days to seek blessings and spiritual growth.
Significance of Ekadashi
Ekadashi holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism. According to scriptures, observing Ekadashi helps in cleansing the body and mind, and brings one closer to the divine. It is believed that fasting on Ekadashi days can help in attaining moksha (liberation) and is considered equivalent to performing numerous yajnas (sacrifices).
Types of Ekadashi Fasts
There are different levels of observance for Ekadashi fasting:
- Nirjala Ekadashi: Complete fasting without even water
- Phalahara Vrata: Consuming only fruits and milk
- Partial Fast: Avoiding grains and beans but consuming other vegetarian food
- Mental Fast: Observing mental purity along with dietary restrictions
Spiritual Benefits
Observing Ekadashi is believed to bring numerous spiritual benefits:
- Purification of mind and body
- Development of self-control and discipline
- Accumulation of spiritual merit
- Clearing of karmic debts
- Enhanced meditation and spiritual practices
- Blessings of Lord Vishnu
Scientific Benefits
Modern science also recognizes benefits of periodic fasting:
- Detoxification of the body
- Improved digestive system function
- Enhanced mental clarity and focus
- Regulation of metabolism
- Cellular repair and regeneration
Important Ekadashis
While all Ekadashis are important, some have special significance:
- Nirjala Ekadashi: Considered the most auspicious, observed without water
- Vaikuntha Ekadashi: Believed to open the gates to Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode)
- Mokshada Ekadashi: Grants liberation to ancestors
- Kamada Ekadashi: Fulfills all desires
How to Observe Ekadashi
Traditional observance of Ekadashi includes:
- Waking up early and taking a bath
- Observing fast as per one’s capacity
- Chanting Vishnu Sahasranama or other prayers
- Reading scriptures like Bhagavad Gita
- Visiting temples and performing charity
- Breaking the fast on the next day (Dwadashi) during the prescribed time
Note: The exact dates of Ekadashi may vary slightly based on geographical location and the starting time of Tithi. It’s recommended to consult a local Panchangam for precise timings.
Ekadashi Dates 2026
Complete Ekadashi Vrat calendar for 2026. Find the Ekadashi date and name for each month.
January 2026
January 14, 2026
Wednesday · Krishna Paksha
Shattila Ekadashi
Krishna
January 29, 2026
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Jaya Ekadashi
Shukla
February 2026
February 13, 2026
Friday · Krishna Paksha
Vijaya Ekadashi
Krishna
February 27, 2026
Friday · Shukla Paksha
Amalaki Ekadashi
Shukla
March 2026
March 15, 2026
Sunday · Krishna Paksha
Papamochani Ekadashi
Krishna
March 29, 2026
Sunday · Shukla Paksha
Kamada Ekadashi
Shukla
April 2026
April 13, 2026
Monday · Krishna Paksha
Varuthini Ekadashi
Krishna
April 27, 2026
Monday · Shukla Paksha
Mohini Ekadashi
Shukla
May 2026
May 13, 2026
Wednesday · Krishna Paksha
Apara Ekadashi
Krishna
May 27, 2026
Wednesday · Shukla Paksha
Padmini Ekadashi
Shukla
June 2026
June 11, 2026
Thursday · Krishna Paksha
Parama Ekadashi
Krishna
June 25, 2026
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Nirjala Ekadashi
Shukla
July 2026
July 10, 2026
Friday · Krishna Paksha
Yogini Ekadashi
Krishna
July 25, 2026
Saturday · Shukla Paksha
Devshayani Ekadashi
Shukla
August 2026
August 9, 2026
Sunday · Krishna Paksha
Kamika Ekadashi
Krishna
August 23, 2026
Sunday · Shukla Paksha
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Shukla
September 2026
September 7, 2026
Monday · Krishna Paksha
Aja Ekadashi
Krishna
September 22, 2026
Tuesday · Shukla Paksha
Parivartini Ekadashi
Shukla
October 2026
October 6, 2026
Tuesday · Krishna Paksha
Indira Ekadashi
Krishna
October 22, 2026
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Papankusha Ekadashi
Shukla
November 2026
November 5, 2026
Thursday · Krishna Paksha
Rama Ekadashi
Krishna
November 20, 2026
Friday · Shukla Paksha
Devutthana Ekadashi
Shukla
December 2026
December 4, 2026
Friday · Krishna Paksha
Utpanna Ekadashi
Krishna
December 20, 2026
Sunday · Shukla Paksha
Mokshada Ekadashi
Shukla
Note: Ekadashi dates and observance times can vary by location and tradition.
For fasting and Parana, check the timings applicable to your city.
Ekadashi Dates 2027
Complete Ekadashi Vrat calendar for 2027 with Ekadashi names and dates.
January 2027
January 3, 2027
Sunday · Krishna Paksha
Saphala Ekadashi
Krishna
January 18, 2027
Monday · Shukla Paksha
Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
Shukla
January 19, 2027
Tuesday · Special
Trisparsha Mahadwadashi, Gauna Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, Vaishnava Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
Special
February 2027
February 2, 2027
Tuesday · Krishna Paksha
Shattila Ekadashi
Krishna
February 17, 2027
Wednesday · Shukla Paksha
Jaya Ekadashi
Shukla
March 2027
March 4, 2027
Thursday · Krishna Paksha
Vijaya Ekadashi
Krishna
March 5, 2027
Friday · Special
Uttamila Mahadwadashi, Shravana Yoga Dwadashi
Special
March 18, 2027
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Amalaki Ekadashi
Shukla
April 2027
April 2, 2027
Friday · Krishna Paksha
Papamochani Ekadashi, Ekadashi Shravana Yoga Dwadashi
Krishna
April 17, 2027
Saturday · Shukla Paksha
Kamada Ekadashi
Shukla
May 2027
May 2, 2027
Sunday · Krishna Paksha
Varuthini Ekadashi
Krishna
May 16, 2027
Sunday · Shukla Paksha
Mohini Ekadashi
Shukla
June 2027
June 1, 2027
Tuesday · Krishna Paksha
Apara Ekadashi
Krishna
June 14, 2027
Monday · Shukla Paksha
Nirjala Ekadashi
Shukla
June 15, 2027
Tuesday · Special
Pakshavardhini Mahadwadashi
Special
June 30, 2027
Wednesday · Krishna Paksha
Yogini Ekadashi
Krishna
July 2027
July 14, 2027
Wednesday · Shukla Paksha
Devshayani Ekadashi
Shukla
July 29, 2027
Thursday · Krishna Paksha
Kamika Ekadashi
Krishna
July 30, 2027
Friday · Special
Gauna Kamika Ekadashi
Special
August 2027
August 12, 2027
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Shukla
August 28, 2027
Saturday · Krishna Paksha
Aja Ekadashi
Krishna
September 2027
September 11, 2027
Saturday · Shukla Paksha
Parsva Ekadashi
Shukla
September 12, 2027
Sunday · Special
Vijaya Mahadwadashi
Special
September 26, 2027
Sunday · Krishna Paksha
Indira Ekadashi
Krishna
October 2027
October 11, 2027
Monday · Special
Ekadashi Shravana Yoga Dwadashi, Papankusha Ekadashi
Shukla
October 25, 2027
Monday · Krishna Paksha
Rama Ekadashi
Krishna
October 26, 2027
Tuesday · Special
Vaishnava Rama Ekadashi
Special
November 2027
November 10, 2027
Wednesday · Shukla Paksha
Devutthana Ekadashi
Shukla
November 24, 2027
Wednesday · Krishna Paksha
Utpanna Ekadashi
Krishna
December 2027
December 9, 2027
Thursday · Shukla Paksha
Mokshada Ekadashi, Guruvayur Ekadashi
Shukla
December 23, 2027
Thursday · Krishna Paksha
Saphala Ekadashi
Krishna
Note: Ekadashi dates and observance can vary by location and tradition. Check local fasting and Parana timings for your city.