Festivals · Updated 3 October 2026

Is today Ekadashi? Today's tithi and the next Ekadashi dates

Check if today is Ekadashi, see the next Ekadashi dates, and learn what to chant and how to keep a simple, kind Ekadashi fast for Lord Vishnu.

Ekadashi is the eleventh day of each half of the lunar month, so it comes twice a month: once as the moon grows and once as it wanes. It is sacred to Lord Vishnu, and many people fast, pray and chant his name on this day. The box above updates every day, and the dates below follow Drik Panchang for New Delhi.

Upcoming Ekadashi dates

Dates are for New Delhi; tithi timings shift slightly by city. When the eleventh tithi spans two days, the panchang names one day for the fast; that is the date shown here.

What is Ekadashi?

There are usually 24 Ekadashis in a year, and each has its own name and story: Devshayani, when Vishnu is said to begin his four months of rest; Prabodhini (Dev Uthani), when he wakes; Mokshada, linked with the day the Bhagavad Gita was spoken; and Nirjala, the waterless fast of early summer. In a year with an extra lunar month there are 26.

The idea behind all of them is the same. One day in fifteen, eat lightly, slow down, and give the mind to God. Many people find that a lighter stomach makes prayer and quiet easier.

Mantras for Ekadashi

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

"I bow to the One who lives in all beings and all things." The twelve-syllable mantra of Vishnu, and the most widely chanted mantra on Ekadashi. It is traditionally chanted for clear decisions and letting go. Listen on Mahakatha.

Om Namo Narayanaya

ॐ नमो नारायणाय Om Namo Narayanaya

"I bow to Lord Narayana, the master of the universe." The eight-syllable Vishnu mantra, short enough to repeat all day, chanted for focus and calm thinking. Listen on Mahakatha.

Vishnu Shantakaram

शान्ताकारं भुजग शयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशम्। विश्वाधारं गगन सदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। Shaantaakaaram Bhujaga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham, Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrsham Meghavarnam Shubhaanggam

"I seek the blessings of Vishnu, peaceful in form, resting on the serpent, from whose navel grows the lotus, Lord of the gods, support of the universe, vast as the sky, the colour of rain clouds." A meditation on Vishnu, chanted for peace and release from worry. Listen on Mahakatha.

Hare Krishna Hare Rama

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥ Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Maha Mantra, sixteen names of Krishna and Rama, both forms of Vishnu. Many devotees chant extra rounds of it on Ekadashi. Listen on Mahakatha.

To keep count, use a mala or our free japa counter. Why 108? See why mantras are chanted 108 times.

How to keep an Ekadashi fast, simply

There are many ways to fast, and all of them are valid. Choose the one your body and life allow.

• Full fast (nirjala): no food or water from sunrise on Ekadashi until the fast is broken the next day. This is the strictest form and is not for everyone.
• Water or fruit fast: water, fruit and milk only.
• Phalahar: one or two simple meals without grains or beans. Rice, wheat, dal and lentils are traditionally avoided; fruit, milk, nuts, potatoes, sabudana and kuttu are common.
• No fast, just prayer: if you cannot fast, simply avoid grains, eat lightly, and spend extra time in chanting or reading.

The fast is broken on Dwadashi, the next day, within the parana (fast-breaking) window shown in your local panchang, usually in the morning.

A kind word on health. If you are pregnant, elderly, diabetic, unwell or on medication, please do not fast without food or water. Eat what you need and keep the day through prayer. Ask your doctor if you are unsure.

A simple Ekadashi day

1. Wake early, bathe, and light a lamp before an image of Vishnu or Krishna. Offer tulsi leaves if you have them (they are picked the day before, as tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi).
2. Chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya 108 times.
3. Read a little: a chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, or the story of that day's Ekadashi.
4. Through the day, repeat Om Namo Narayanaya silently whenever you remember.
5. In the evening, light the lamp again and sing an aarti.

Mahakatha Radio plays Vishnu and Krishna mantras day and night, free and without ads. Listen live as you keep the day.

Questions people ask

Is today Ekadashi or not?

The box at the top of this page shows whether today is Ekadashi, based on the Drik Panchang calendar for New Delhi. It updates every day at midnight India time.

How do I know when the next Ekadashi is?

See the list under "Upcoming Ekadashi dates" above. Ekadashi comes about every 15 days, on the eleventh day after the new moon and the eleventh day after the full moon.

What is special about Ekadashi?

It is the day of the month most sacred to Vishnu. Fasting, chanting his name and staying up a little later in prayer are traditionally said to purify the mind and bring one closer to God.

Which Ekadashi is the most powerful?

Nirjala Ekadashi, the waterless fast in the month of Jyeshtha, is traditionally said to carry the merit of all 24 Ekadashis. Mokshada (Vaikuntha) Ekadashi and Devshayani Ekadashi are also especially honoured.

What should I eat on Ekadashi?

Grains and beans are traditionally avoided. Fruit, milk, curd, nuts, potatoes, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour are common. Eat simply, and eat enough if your health needs it.

When should I break the Ekadashi fast?

On the next day, Dwadashi, within the parana window in your local panchang, usually in the morning. Many people break the fast with a little water, tulsi and fruit first.