Varuthini Ekadashi 2026
Varuthini Ekadashi 2026 falls on Wednesday, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Exact date, puja muhurat & city-wise timings for Varuthini Ekadashi 2026
Key Information
Festival Date
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
2026 Calendar Context
Weekday
Wednesday
Vikram Samvat
2083
Shaka Samvat
1948
This year Varuthini Ekadashi falls on a Wednesday, 10 days earlier than 2025 (2025-05-23) — typical lunar-calendar drift.
Falling on a Wednesday gives the day a Budha emphasis — learning-related rites and green offerings carry extra weight, traditionally favourable for new study.
The 2025 observance fell on Friday, 2025-05-23 — this year arrives 10 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar, the familiar 11-day shift of the unmodified lunar year.
Looking ahead to 2027, Varuthini Ekadashi will fall on Monday, 2027-05-31 (18 days later than this year). So planning ritual schedules across years means anchoring to the tithi rather than the Gregorian date.
Astronomical context for Varuthini Ekadashi 2026
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, sunrise in Delhi (the reference city for this page) falls at 05:31 IST and sunset at 19:03 IST — a daylight span of 13h 32m. Across the six pan-Indian cities tabulated below, sunrise on this date varies from 04:57 (Kolkata) at the eastern edge to 06:04 (Mumbai) in the west — a 67-minute difference that drives the city-by-city muhurat shift you see in the table.
For Varuthini Ekadashi 2026, the central rite of udaya tithi (sunrise) depends on the festival tithi being present during that window on 2026-05-13 — confirmed across 6 reference cities in this year's computation pass. Cities further east (Kolkata, Chennai) see the window open ~15-25 minutes before Delhi; cities west of Delhi (Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore) see it start later by a similar margin.
City-Wise Timings for Varuthini Ekadashi 2026
| City | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 5:31 AM | 7:03 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:04 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Bangalore | 5:54 AM | 6:37 PM |
| Chennai | 5:44 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Kolkata | 4:57 AM | 6:08 PM |
| Pune | 6:01 AM | 7:00 PM |
Why This Date?
Varuthini Ekadashi follows the Udaya Tithi rule – the festival is observed on the day when the required tithi prevails at sunrise. This is the default Dharmasindhu convention for festivals without a special time-window requirement.
Deity
Lord Vishnu (Varaha-shielding form)
Legend & History
King Mandhata of the solar dynasty, ancestor of Lord Rama, was renowned for his austerities. During one tapas-session a wild bear attacked him and began devouring his foot. Bleeding and in pain, he re… Read full legend →Show less ↑
King Mandhata of the solar dynasty, ancestor of Lord Rama, was renowned for his austerities. During one tapas-session a wild bear attacked him and began devouring his foot. Bleeding and in pain, he remained motionless in meditation rather than break his tapas. Vishnu, moved by this fortitude, appeared and killed the bear, but the king's foot was lost. Vishnu taught him the Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi vrata to restore his body. Mandhata observed it and his foot was regenerated. The Bhavishyottara Purana preserves this.
How to Observe
Observe Ekadashi fast. Worship Vishnu with the Varaha (boar) form's attributes if possible — the connection is symbolic (a boar wound that became boar-form merit). Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Mandhata katha. Particularly observed by those recovering from injury or illness, seeking restoration of physical strength, or undertaking healing journeys. Donate medical supplies or food to the sick.
Significance
Varuthini = "shielding / protecting" — restores what has been damaged and shields against future harm. The Mandhata story's gentler reading: even great souls suffer accidents; sustained dharma (his refusal to break tapas) eventually attracts divine intervention. Especially powerful for restoration — of health, of reputation lost to misfortune, of relationships strained by external blows. The "armour" sense of the name connects to invocation of Vishnu's protective shield.
Fasting
Ekadashi fast – no grains or beans. Especially appropriate for those recovering from illness or injury. Break fast on Dwadashi morning.
Looking for Varuthini Ekadashi 2027?
Varuthini Ekadashi 2027 Date & Muhurat