What is Ekadashi? (एकादशी म्हणजे काय?)
Ekadashi (एकादशी — “eleventh”) is the 11th tithi in each lunar fortnight. Because the Moon cycles roughly every 29.5 days, Ekadashi arrives twice a month — once in Shukla paksha (bright half) and once in Krishna paksha (dark half). On the Marathi Panchanga calendar, Ekadashi is marked as a vrat day alongside festivals like Amavasya and Pournima.
Unlike English midnight dates, Ekadashi begins and ends by tithi, not by calendar date alone. A vrat observed “on 27 May” might start on 26 May evening if tithi starts then — elders say “तिथी पाहून व्रत.” Our Festivals 2026 page assigns each Ekadashi to the observance date used in common Mumbai panchanga references for 2026.
Why do Marathi families fast on Ekadashi?
Scriptural stories (Padma Purana, Bhavishyottara Purana) link Ekadashi to Vishnu bhakti — fasting cleanses body and mind, reduces tamasic food, and increases time for japa, kirtan, and temple visits. In practical Maharashtra life:
- Grandparents set rhythm — children learn weekly discipline.
- Many avoid onion-garlic that day in vegetarian homes.
- Warkari and Vaishnav families intensify Vitthal naam japa.
- Some use Ekadashi as a monthly “digestive reset” with fruit/sabudana khichdi.
Medical note: diabetics, pregnant women, and those on medication should adapt vrata with doctor and priest guidance — tradition allows anukula (suitable modification).
Types of Ekadashi fasting (उपवास प्रकार)
Nirjala — waterless (निर्जला)
Strictest: no food or water until parana after tithi ends. Famous on Nirjala Ekadashi — some believe observing this one equals all Ekadashis of the year (folk belief; not universal).
Phalahar / falahar (फळाहार)
Fruits, milk, sabudana, potato, rock salt — common in urban Maharashtra. No grains or pulses in strict form.
Farali thali
Restaurants in Mumbai publish “farali menu” on major Ekadashis — sabudana vada, rajgira puri, shrikhand.
Partial or nominal fast
Working professionals may eat one simple meal after sunset or skip only rice — family priest may sanction for health.
Parana (पारणा)
Breaking fast only after Ekadashi tithi ends — usually next morning or same evening per local rule. Wrong parana time is a common worry; check tithi end on full panchanga or ask priest.
Important named Ekadashis in 2026
Nirjala Ekadashi — 27 May 2026
Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi. Heat is intense in Maharashtra — if attempting Nirjala, plan rest, avoid outdoor labour, break fast safely at parana. See May calendar.
Devshayani (Ashadhi) Ekadashi — 25 June 2026
Lord Vishnu said to begin cosmic sleep; Chaturmas starts for many traditions — weddings and major new ventures often pause until Devuthani Ekadashi. Links to marriage muhurat closed periods.
Kamika Ekadashi — 11 July 2026
Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi — sin-destroying merit in puranic lists; temple crowds in Pandharpur wari season context.
Putrada Ekadashi — 25 July 2026
Shravana Krishna Ekadashi — observed by couples praying for children (name means “giver of sons” in tradition; modern families interpret as blessing for progeny generally).
Other 2026 Ekadashis on this site
- 29 Jan — Jaya Ekadashi
- 12 Feb — Vijaya Ekadashi
- 27 Feb — Amalaki Ekadashi
- 15 Mar — Papamochani Ekadashi
- 29 Mar — Kamada Ekadashi
- 13 Apr — Varuthini Ekadashi
- 27 Apr — Mohini Ekadashi
- 13 May — Apara Ekadashi
- 11 Jun — Yogini Ekadashi
- 24 Aug — Parivartani Ekadashi
- 8 Sep — Indira Ekadashi (during Pitru Paksha context)
- 23 Sep — Papankusha Ekadashi
- 8 Oct — Rama Ekadashi
- 6 Nov — Utpanna Ekadashi
- 21 Nov — Mokshada Ekadashi
- 6 Dec — Saphala Ekadashi
- 21 Dec — Putrada / Vaikunta Ekadashi
Ekadashi 2026 — quick reference table
| Date | English name | मराठी |
|---|---|---|
| 27 May | Nirjala Ekadashi | निर्जला एकादशी |
| 25 Jun | Devshayani Ekadashi | देवशयनी एकादशी |
| 11 Jul | Kamika Ekadashi | कामिका एकादशी |
| 25 Jul | Putrada Ekadashi | पुत्रदा एकादशी |
| 21 Nov | Mokshada Ekadashi | मोक्षदा एकादशी |
| 21 Dec | Vaikunta Ekadashi | वैकुंठ एकादशी |
Full list: All Festivals 2026 — filter “एकादशी / व्रत”.
How to use the festivals page
- Open Festivals 2026.
- Click filter chip “एकादशी / व्रत”.
- Search Marathi or English name (e.g. “Nirjala”, “निर्जला”).
- Use “Add to Google Calendar” / Outlook links on each row.
- Cross-check month view on home calendar for Rahu Kaal that weekday.
Month pages (June, July, etc.) show Ekadashi in context with Pournima and Amavasya.
Month-by-month 2026 Ekadashi calendar tips
January–March: Winter Ekadashis (Jaya, Vijaya, Amalaki, Papamochani, Kamada) — comfortable fasting weather; Papamochani before Holi season. March has Kamada near Gudi Padwa week — travel congestion in Maharashtra.
April–May: Varuthini, Mohini, Apara, then Nirjala 27 May — hydrate planning essential; avoid scheduling outdoor labour. See May calendar.
June–July: Yogini, Devshayani 25 Jun, Kamika, Putrada — wari season toward Pandharpur; temple crowds and travel delays common. June / July calendars.
August–October: Aja, Parivartani, Indira (Pitru context), Papankusha, Rama Ekadashi — monsoon and shraddha season; some families simplify fast to fruit only.
November–December: Utpanna, Mokshada, Saphala, Vaikunta — Kartik–Margashirsha merit; Vaikunta Ekadashi at Tirupati-style temples draws queues; book travel early.
Practical tips for Maharashtra households
- Stock sabudana, peanuts, potatoes, rock salt before major Ekadashis — shops crowd on Nirjala eve.
- Set phone reminder for parana — tithi end times vary; don’t guess midnight.
- If fasting while working, prefer Phalahar over Nirjala unless healthy and tradition-bound.
- Share festival link in family WhatsApp — reduces “which day?” confusion for NRIs.
- Combine with Rahu Kaal only for travel to temple, not for vrat validity.
- After Devshayani, note Chaturmas wedding pause if planning vivaha.
Health and fasting
Elderly parents, hypertension, and diabetes require medical clearance. Many temples allow “Ekadashi intention” with single meal — do not treat internet vrata rules as medical advice. Maharashtra rural clinics often see dehydration cases after Nirjala in May heat — carry ORS if observing strict fast.
Children and students
School exams sometimes clash with Ekadashi — parents may offer fruit lunch tiffin instead of full fast. Teaching children the name of each Ekadashi builds cultural memory even when full fast waits until teenage years.
Warkari and Vaishnav traditions
Pandharpur warkaris observe Ekadashi strictly in Ashadha and Kartik maas; bhajan on fast day is common. Vitthal temple towns see packed queues on Devshayani and Prabodhini (Devuthani) Ekadashi pair — plan travel on June / November calendars. Ekadashi is as much community rhythm as personal discipline.
Breaking fast — parana rules simplified
Parana should happen after Ekadashi tithi ends and usually not during Bhadra karana (pandits check). If tithi ends at 8 AM, breaking fast at 7 AM is early; if it ends 2 PM, waiting until then despite hunger is traditional. When in doubt, call family priest — not a generic blog.
Sankalp wording
Traditional sankalp on Ekadashi names tithi, paksha, month (Amanta), and place. If you recite from memory, use Marathi month from Amanta guide — saying wrong month name invalidates sankalp for strict elders even when fast is sincere.
Frequently asked questions
2026 at a glance
Mark these in your calendar app from festivals page: winter Ekadashis Jan–Mar; Nirjala 27 May; Devshayani 25 Jun starts Chaturmas awareness; Kamika 11 Jul and Putrada 25 Jul in Shravan season; Mokshada 21 Nov and Vaikunta 21 Dec for Kartik–Margashirsha merit. Each date is Mumbai IST observance — confirm parana tithi end locally if you live outside India.
How many Ekadashis in 2026?
Typically 24 in a lunar year; adhik maas years add more. Count on our festivals page for 2026.
Shukla vs Krishna Ekadashi — different rules?
Some families observe both; some prefer Krishna paksha only. Follow family sampradaya.
Can children fast?
Light or nominal fast only; growth needs come first.
Is Ekadashi a public holiday?
Generally no — except when coinciding with a major festival holiday. Check Holidays.
Devshayani and weddings?
Many pause weddings until Devuthani — see marriage guide.
Can I work from home on Ekadashi?
Yes — fasting is not leave unless your employer grants optional vrat leave. Many IT employees in Pune work normal hours with light lunch.
Which Ekadashi is hardest in Maharashtra heat?
Nirjala (27 May 2026) — plan indoor rest, avoid midday sun; elders and children should choose milder vrata forms.
Ekadashi and Rahu Kaal together?
Fasting all day does not require avoiding Rahu Kaal — Rahu applies to starting new ventures, not to continuing vrat. Temple visit during Rahu is fine. Breaking parana should follow tithi end, not Choghadiya — though some break fast in Shubh slot after tithi ends.
Related pages
Summary: Ekadashi is twice-monthly tithi vrat — use our festivals filter for 2026 names and dates. Major ones for Maharashtra planning: Nirjala 27 May, Devshayani 25 Jun (Chaturmas), Kamika 11 Jul, Putrada 25 Jul. Fast safely, break at proper parana, and confirm tithi end with priest when health or travel complicates timing. Add each named vrat to phone calendar from the festivals table “Google” link so reminders fire before the Marathi month name slips past busy work weeks.