Ekadashi Vrat 2026
Ekadashi (11th tithi of each paksha) · Lord Vishnu
Updated:
There are 24 Ekadashi fasting days in 2026, starting with Shattila Ekadashi on 14 January and ending with Mokshada Ekadashi on 20 December. Because 2026 has an Adhika Maas (leap month), the rare Padmini (27 May) and Parama (11 June) Ekadashis also occur. Nirjala Ekadashi, the strictest fast of the year, falls on Thursday, 25 June.
Ekadashi 2026: All 24 Dates, Month-wise
| Month | Ekadashi | Date (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| January | Shattila Ekadashi | Wednesday, 14 January |
| January | Jaya Ekadashi | Thursday, 29 January |
| February | Vijaya Ekadashi | Friday, 13 February |
| February | Amalaki Ekadashi | Friday, 27 February |
| March | Papamochani Ekadashi | Sunday, 15 March |
| March | Kamada Ekadashi | Sunday, 29 March |
| April | Varuthini Ekadashi | Monday, 13 April |
| April | Mohini Ekadashi | Monday, 27 April |
| May | Apara Ekadashi | Wednesday, 13 May |
| May | Padmini EkadashiLeap-month Ekadashi — occurs only in Adhika Maas years | Wednesday, 27 May |
| June | Parama EkadashiLeap-month Ekadashi — occurs only in Adhika Maas years | Thursday, 11 June |
| June | Nirjala EkadashiStrictest fast of the year — no food or water | Thursday, 25 June |
| July | Yogini Ekadashi | Friday, 10 July (Smarta) · Saturday, 11 July (Vaishnava) |
| July | Devshayani EkadashiChaturmas begins — Vishnu's cosmic sleep | Saturday, 25 July |
| August | Kamika Ekadashi | Sunday, 9 August |
| August | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi | Sunday, 23 August |
| September | Aja Ekadashi | Monday, 7 September |
| September | Parsva EkadashiAlso called Parivartini Ekadashi | Tuesday, 22 September |
| October | Indira Ekadashi | Tuesday, 6 October |
| October | Papankusha Ekadashi | Thursday, 22 October |
| November | Rama Ekadashi | Thursday, 5 November |
| November | Devutthana EkadashiChaturmas ends — weddings resume | Friday, 20 November (Smarta) · Saturday, 21 November (Vaishnava) |
| December | Utpanna Ekadashi | Friday, 4 December |
| December | Mokshada EkadashiAlso Vaikuntha Ekadashi / Gita Jayanti | Sunday, 20 December |
Dates are India (IST) fasting days, cross-checked against Drik Panchang and Prokerala. Where Smarta and Vaishnava dates differ, both are shown — Vaishnava (ISKCON) devotees fast on the later day. Tithi start, end and parana (fast-breaking) times vary by city, so check your local panchang before breaking the fast.
See how these fasting days sit alongside every festival of the year in the Hindu festival calendar 2026, or check today's tithi and muhurat on the daily panchanga page.
What is Ekadashi?
Ekadashi is the 11th tithi of each lunar fortnight, sacred to Lord Vishnu. Devotees observe a grain-free fast from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi, chanting Vishnu's names. Most months have two Ekadashis — one in Krishna Paksha and one in Shukla Paksha — and each of the 24 has its own name and katha.
How to Observe Ekadashi Vrat in 2026
- 1Observe a complete fast — nirjala (no water) for maximum merit, or phalahar (fruits and milk)
- 2Avoid all grains, pulses, non-veg, onion, garlic, and all stimulants
- 3Wake before sunrise; take a bath and offer prayers to Vishnu
- 4Spend the day chanting Vishnu's names — Om Namo Narayanaya or the Vishnu Sahasranama
- 5Read or listen to the Ekadashi Katha specific to that Ekadashi (each of the 24 has its own story)
- 6Stay awake through the night (jagaran) — especially meritorious on Ekadashi
- 7Break the fast the next day (Dwadashi) after the prescribed time — early breaking is inauspicious
Benefits
- ✓ Liberation from sins committed over multiple lifetimes
- ✓ Relief from planetary afflictions, especially Rahu and Ketu
- ✓ Mental clarity and peace
- ✓ Strengthening of Jupiter (Jupiter = Vishnu's grace)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Ekadashi dates of 2026?
There are 24 Ekadashis in 2026. The first is Shattila Ekadashi on 14 January and the last is Mokshada Ekadashi on 20 December. Key dates include Nirjala Ekadashi on 25 June, Devshayani Ekadashi on 25 July and Devutthana Ekadashi on 20 November. The month-wise table on this page lists every date with its paksha.
How many Ekadashis are there in 2026?
24 Ekadashis fall in calendar year 2026. The year includes an Adhika Maas (leap month), which adds the rare Padmini (27 May) and Parama (11 June) Ekadashis — observed only once every two to three years.
Is Ekadashi on 12 February 2026?
No. The February Krishna Paksha fast — Vijaya Ekadashi — is observed on Friday, 13 February 2026. The Ekadashi tithi begins around midday on 12 February, which is why some calendars mention both days, but the sunrise-based fasting day is 13 February.
Why is Ekadashi observed on two days sometimes?
When the Ekadashi tithi overlaps the previous tithi at sunrise, Smarta householders fast on the first day and Vaishnava traditions (including ISKCON) fast the next day. In 2026 this split occurs for Yogini Ekadashi (10 July Smarta, 11 July Vaishnava) and Devutthana Ekadashi (20 November Smarta, 21 November Vaishnava).
Which is the most important Ekadashi in 2026?
Nirjala Ekadashi on Thursday, 25 June 2026 is held to be the most powerful — a complete fast without water, equal in merit to all Ekadashis combined. Devshayani (25 July) and Devutthana (20 November) mark the start and end of Chaturmas, when Vishnu sleeps and wakes.
What is the next Ekadashi?
Ekadashi falls twice a month, roughly 15 days apart — once in Krishna Paksha and once in Shukla Paksha. There is no single fixed "next" date; find it in the month-wise 2026 Ekadashi calendar on this page by looking up the current month and picking the first entry after today's date. For example, anyone checking between 15 and 26 February 2026 would see Amalaki Ekadashi (27 Feb) as the next one; between 26 June and 9 July, Yogini Ekadashi (10 Jul) is next.
When is Ekadashi in January 2026?
January 2026 has two Ekadashis: Shattila Ekadashi on Wednesday, 14 January (Krishna Paksha) and Jaya Ekadashi on Thursday, 29 January (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in February 2026?
February 2026 has two Ekadashis: Vijaya Ekadashi on Friday, 13 February (Krishna Paksha) and Amalaki Ekadashi on Friday, 27 February (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in March 2026?
March 2026 has two Ekadashis: Papamochani Ekadashi on Sunday, 15 March (Krishna Paksha) and Kamada Ekadashi on Sunday, 29 March (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in April 2026?
April 2026 has two Ekadashis: Varuthini Ekadashi on Monday, 13 April (Krishna Paksha) and Mohini Ekadashi on Monday, 27 April (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in May 2026?
May 2026 has two Ekadashis: Apara Ekadashi on Wednesday, 13 May (Krishna Paksha) and Padmini Ekadashi on Wednesday, 27 May (Shukla Paksha) — Padmini is a rare Adhika Maas (leap-month) Ekadashi that occurs only once every two to three years.
When is Ekadashi in June 2026?
June 2026 has two Ekadashis: Parama Ekadashi on Thursday, 11 June (Krishna Paksha, also an Adhika Maas Ekadashi) and Nirjala Ekadashi on Thursday, 25 June (Shukla Paksha) — the strictest fast of the year, observed without food or water.
When is Ekadashi in July 2026?
July 2026 has two Ekadashis: Yogini Ekadashi on Friday, 10 July for Smarta households (Vaishnava/ISKCON observe it Saturday, 11 July), Krishna Paksha; and Devshayani Ekadashi on Saturday, 25 July (Shukla Paksha), which marks the start of Chaturmas.
When is Ekadashi in August 2026?
August 2026 has two Ekadashis: Kamika Ekadashi on Sunday, 9 August (Krishna Paksha) and Shravana Putrada Ekadashi on Sunday, 23 August (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in September 2026?
September 2026 has two Ekadashis: Aja Ekadashi on Monday, 7 September (Krishna Paksha) and Parsva Ekadashi (also called Parivartini Ekadashi) on Tuesday, 22 September (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in October 2026?
October 2026 has two Ekadashis: Indira Ekadashi on Tuesday, 6 October (Krishna Paksha) and Papankusha Ekadashi on Thursday, 22 October (Shukla Paksha).
When is Ekadashi in November 2026?
November 2026 has two Ekadashis: Rama Ekadashi on Thursday, 5 November (Krishna Paksha) and Devutthana Ekadashi (also called Prabodhini Ekadashi) on Friday, 20 November for Smarta households (Vaishnava/ISKCON observe it Saturday, 21 November), Shukla Paksha — marking the end of Chaturmas.
When is Ekadashi in December 2026?
December 2026 has two Ekadashis: Utpanna Ekadashi on Friday, 4 December (Krishna Paksha) and Mokshada Ekadashi (also called Vaikuntha Ekadashi or Gita Jayanti) on Sunday, 20 December (Shukla Paksha).
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Dr. Meenakshi Sharma
PhD in Vedic Astrology • 20+ Years Experience
Distinguished Vedic astrologer specializing in natal chart analysis, predictive astrology, and Vedic remedial measures. Trusted by thousands for accurate Ekadashi Vrat 2026 Calendar interpretations.
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