What Ekadashi Is
Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day (Tithi) in the Hindu calendar, occurring twice each lunar month — once during Shukla Paksha (the waxing/bright fortnight) and once during Krishna Paksha (the waning/dark fortnight). Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it’s observed through fasting, prayer, and meditation, and is regarded as one of the most spiritually significant fasting days across Hindu and particularly Vaishnava tradition. It’s known by various regional names, including Gyaras or Agiyaras in Hindi and Punjabi-speaking regions.
How Many Ekadashis Fall in 2026
In a standard year, there are 24 Ekadashi fasting days — two per lunar month across 12 months. Because 2026 includes an Adhik Maas (an extra leap lunar month), the year has 26 Ekadashis instead of the usual 24, adding two rare extra observances: Padmini Ekadashi (falling around May 27) and Parama Ekadashi (falling around June 11 or, per some sources, a related date in the Adhik Jyeshtha period). These two extra Ekadashis occur only once every two to three years, specifically during Adhik Maas periods.
Key Ekadashi Dates to Know in 2026
Several Ekadashis carry particular significance throughout the year: Shattila Ekadashi opens the year around January 14. Vijaya Ekadashi falls around February 13. Nirjala Ekadashi — widely regarded as the strictest fast of the year, observed without even water — falls on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Devshayani Ekadashi, marking the beginning of the four-month Chaturmas period dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s yogic sleep, falls on July 25, 2026. Devutthana Ekadashi (also called Prabodhini or Dev Uthani Ekadashi), marking the end of Chaturmas when Lord Vishnu is believed to awaken, falls around November 20-21, 2026. The year closes with Mokshada Ekadashi around December 20, 2026.
Smarta vs. Vaishnava (ISKCON) Date Differences
One important nuance: Ekadashi dates sometimes differ by a day between the Smarta tradition (generally followed by householders) and the Vaishnava or ISKCON tradition (generally followed by sannyasis and dedicated Vaishnava devotees). This happens when the Ekadashi Tithi overlaps with the previous Tithi at sunrise — in that scenario, Smarta households typically fast on the first day, while Vaishnava/ISKCON followers fast on the following day. Anyone following a specific tradition should check dates from a source aligned with that tradition (Smarta Panchangs versus the dedicated ISKCON Ekadashi calendar) rather than assuming a single universal date applies to everyone.
Rules Around Fasting and Breaking the Fast (Parana)
Ekadashi fasting traditionally runs for roughly 24 hours, beginning at sunrise on the Ekadashi Tithi and ending the following day during a specific Parana (fast-breaking) window on Dwadashi Tithi. Fasting rules generally call for avoiding grains, with some devotees observing a strict Nirjala (waterless) fast and others following a more moderate approach involving fruits, milk, and simple non-grain foods. Parana timing is location-specific and must occur after sunrise while Dwadashi Tithi is still active, which is why checking a local Panchang for the precise Parana window is important rather than assuming a fixed clock time applies everywhere.
Where to Check Exact Timings
Because Ekadashi Tithi start and end times shift based on location and can vary by a few hours between different Panchang calculation systems, anyone planning to observe a fast should check a city-specific Panchang or a dedicated Ekadashi calendar close to the date in question, cross-referencing against whichever tradition (Smarta or Vaishnava) they follow, to confirm both the correct fasting day and the correct Parana window.