RubanTools

Ekadashi Dates 2026

All 24 Ekadashi dates for 2026 - Shukla and Krishna Paksha Ekadashis with names.

Ekadashi 2026
Shukla Paksha Krishna Paksha
#DateDayEkadashi NamePakshaStatus
1 13 Jan 2026 Tue Shattila Ekadashi Krishna Past
2 28 Jan 2026 Wed Jaya Ekadashi ★ Major Shukla Past
3 11 Feb 2026 Wed Vijaya Ekadashi Krishna Past
4 27 Feb 2026 Fri Amalaki Ekadashi Shukla Past
5 13 Mar 2026 Fri Papamochani Ekadashi Krishna Past
6 28 Mar 2026 Sat Kamada Ekadashi Shukla Past
7 13 Apr 2026 Mon Varuthini Ekadashi Krishna Past
8 27 Apr 2026 Mon Mohini Ekadashi Shukla Past
9 12 May 2026 Tue Apara Ekadashi Krishna Past
10 26 May 2026 Tue Nirjala Ekadashi ★ Major Shukla Past
11 10 Jun 2026 Wed Yogini Ekadashi Krishna 8d
12 25 Jun 2026 Thu Devshayani Ekadashi ★ Major Shukla 23d
13 10 Jul 2026 Fri Kamika Ekadashi Krishna 38d
14 24 Jul 2026 Fri Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Shukla 52d
15 07 Aug 2026 Fri Aja Ekadashi Krishna 66d
16 23 Aug 2026 Sun Parsva Ekadashi Shukla 82d
17 06 Sep 2026 Sun Indira Ekadashi Krishna 96d
18 21 Sep 2026 Mon Papankusha Ekadashi Shukla 111d
19 06 Oct 2026 Tue Rama Ekadashi Krishna 126d
20 21 Oct 2026 Wed Prabodhini Ekadashi Shukla 141d
21 05 Nov 2026 Thu Utpanna Ekadashi Krishna 156d
22 19 Nov 2026 Thu Mokshada Ekadashi / Vaikunta Ekadashi ★ Major Shukla 170d
23 05 Dec 2026 Sat Saphala Ekadashi Krishna 186d
24 19 Dec 2026 Sat Pausha Putrada Ekadashi ★ Major Shukla 200d
About Ekadashi

Ekadashi is the 11th day of each lunar fortnight. There are 24 Ekadashis per year (2 per month) - one in Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and one in Krishna Paksha (waning moon).

Fasting on Ekadashi is believed to cleanse sins and advance spiritual progress. Devotees refrain from grains and beans.

Major Ekadashis
  • Nirjala - waterless fast (June)
  • Devshayani - Vishnu sleeps (July)
  • Prabodhini - Vishnu wakes (Nov)
  • Vaikunta Ekadashi - moksha gate (Dec)
  • Jaya Ekadashi - war victory (Feb)

Ekadashi Dates - The Sacred Eleventh Day

Ekadashi is the eleventh (ekadasha in Sanskrit) day of each fortnight in the Hindu lunar calendar. Since the lunar month has two fortnights - the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) - there are two Ekadashi days per month, yielding approximately 24 Ekadashis per year (25 in some years with an intercalary month). Observing Ekadashi through fasting and prayer is considered one of the most meritorious practices in Vaishnavism, endorsed extensively in the Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, and Vishnu Purana.

The Most Significant Ekadashis

Among the 24 annual Ekadashis, certain days hold exceptional importance. Nirjala Ekadashi (June) is the most rigorous - observed without water (nirjala) and believed to confer the merit of all 24 Ekadashis combined. Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi) marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the four-month rest period of Lord Vishnu. Prabodhini Ekadashi (Kartik Shukla Ekadashi) marks his awakening. Vaikunta Ekadashi, observed in Margashirsha, draws millions to Vaishnava temples across South India - Tirupati Balaji temple alone sees over 1 lakh pilgrims on this single day.

Fasting Practices and Indian Culture

An estimated 50-80 million Hindus observe Ekadashi fasts regularly, particularly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and among Vaishnava communities across India. The fast involves abstaining from grains, cereals, and pulses - allowed foods include fruits, milk, rock salt, and certain vegetables. This calendar lists exact Ekadashi dates for 2024, 2025, and 2026 with regional name variants, helping devotees plan their observances in advance.

Ekadashi Questions

Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day of each fortnight. There are 24 Ekadashis per year - one in Shukla Paksha (waxing) and one in Krishna Paksha (waning) every month. Fasting is believed to cleanse sins and advance spiritual progress. Devotees avoid grains and beans.

Nirjala Ekadashi (June) is the most rigorous - fasting without even water. Vaikunta Ekadashi (December) is the most auspicious for Vaishnavas, believed to open the gates of Vaikunta. Prabodhini Ekadashi marks Vishnu awakening from four months of Yoga Nidra.

Allowed: fruits, milk, curd, sabudana (tapioca), sendha namak (rock salt), potatoes, and nuts. Avoided: all grains (rice, wheat), lentils, and regular salt. A full nirjala fast (no food or water) is observed on Nirjala Ekadashi.

Devshayani Ekadashi (Ashadha Shukla) is when Lord Vishnu goes to sleep (Yoga Nidra) for four months - the Chaturmaas period. Auspicious activities like weddings and housewarming are traditionally avoided during this period.

The fast is broken on Dwadashi (12th day) in a specific window called Parana - after sunrise but before the Dwadashi tithi ends. Check your local panchang for the exact Parana start and end times.