What is Ekadashi?

Ekadashi is the eleventh tithi of each lunar fortnight, falling twice every month -- once during Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and once during Krishna Paksha (waning moon). This yields approximately 24 named Ekadashis per year, each carrying a distinct spiritual narrative rooted in the Padma Purana and Bhavishya Purana.

The 24 canonical Ekadashis are: Papamochani (Chaitra Krishna), Kamada (Chaitra Shukla), Varuthini (Vaishakha Krishna), Mohini (Vaishakha Shukla), Apara (Jyeshtha Krishna), Nirjala (Jyeshtha Shukla), Yogini (Ashadha Krishna), Devshayani (Ashadha Shukla — Chaturmas begins), Kamika (Shravana Krishna), Putrada (Shravana Shukla), Aja (Bhadrapada Krishna), Parivartini (Bhadrapada Shukla), Indira (Ashwin Krishna), Papankusha (Ashwin Shukla), Rama (Kartik Krishna), Devutthana (Kartik Shukla — Chaturmas ends), Utpanna (Margashirsha Krishna), Mokshada (Margashirsha Shukla — Gita Jayanti), Saphala (Pausha Krishna), Putrada (Pausha Shukla), Shattila (Magha Krishna), Jaya (Magha Shukla), Vijaya (Phalguna Krishna), and Amalaki (Phalguna Shukla). The most important are Nirjala (merit equal to all 24), Devutthana (marks Vishnu's awakening), and Mokshada (Bhagavad Gita recitation).

The 24 Ekadashi cycle includes Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla), the most austere -- devotees abstain from both food and water. Papankusha Ekadashi (Ashwin Shukla) absolves accumulated sins. Devutthana Ekadashi (Kartik Shukla) marks the end of Chaturmas when Lord Vishnu awakens from cosmic sleep.

Ekadashi fasting rules are codified in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa. The standard practice is a complete fast from grains and beans. Permitted foods include fruits, nuts, milk, root vegetables, sabudana, and rock salt. Parana (breaking the fast) must be done the next day after sunrise but before the end of Dwadashi tithi.

The table below lists all Ekadashi dates for the year with their traditional names (from the Amanta month system), paksha, and Hindu month. Both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Ekadashis are included.