Kept across India, especially by Vaishnava families
Ekadashi fast
How families keep the Ekadashi fast for Vishnu on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight: the evening before, the day itself, and breaking the fast correctly on Dwadashi.
WHEN
On the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of each fortnight: about 24 a year
The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi until the parana after sunrise the next day, within Dwadashi and after Hari Vasara (the first quarter of Dwadashi). Your panchang gives the parana time for your city. When Ekadashi is listed on two days, Drik Panchang advises households to fast on the first.
Coming dates
- 5 November · ThuRama Ekadashi
- 20 November · FriDevutthana (Prabodhini / Dev Uthani) Ekadashi
- 21 November · SatGauna / Vaishnava Devutthana Ekadashi
- 4 December · FriUtpanna Ekadashi
- 20 December · SunMokshada Ekadashi
- 3 January · SunSaphala Ekadashi
Dates for India (Drik Panchang, Gurugram). All festival dates →
How long
From sunrise to sunrise, plus a short morning and evening puja of about 15 minutes each.
AT A GLANCE
What you need
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What to gather
For the day
Safety
Fasting is optional. Children, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, unwell, diabetic, elderly or on regular medication should eat, or speak to a doctor first; a fruit-and-milk fast is a common gentler choice.
One festival, many traditions
Families keep Ekadashi in different ways: some take only water, some milk or fruit, many a single fruit-and-milk meal. Grains and beans are commonly avoided; some also avoid onion and garlic. Vaishnava and Smarta calendars sometimes keep Ekadashi on different days. Choose what suits your family’s health and practice.