Ekadashi May 2026 — Mohini & Apara
మే 2026 ఏకాదశి తేదీలు — మోహిని & అపర ఏకాదశి
2 Ekadashis in May 2026 · Mohini Ekadashi May 7 · Apara Ekadashi May 22
May 2026 has 2 Ekadashis: Mohini Ekadashi on Thursday, May 7, 2026 (Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi — commemorates Vishnu's Mohini avatar during Samudra Manthan) and Apara Ekadashi on Friday, May 22, 2026 (Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi — granting infinite spiritual merit). Both are sacred fasting days for Vaishnava devotees, with strict observance from sunrise on Ekadashi to sunrise on Dwadashi (next day).
May 2026 Ekadashi Dates
| Date | Name | Tithi (Paksha) | Parana Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-07 | Mohini Ekadashi | Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi (Shukla) | May 8, 5:50 AM – 8:20 AM IST |
| 2026-05-22 | Apara Ekadashi | Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi (Krishna) | May 23, 5:30 AM – 8:00 AM IST |
Mohini Ekadashi — 2026-05-07
Tithi: Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi
Significance: Vishnu took the Mohini avatar to distribute amrita to devas. Frees devotees from delusion and karmic afflictions.
Parana time (next day): May 8, 5:50 AM – 8:20 AM IST
Recommended mantras: Om Namo Narayanaya 108x; Vishnu Sahasranama
Apara Ekadashi — 2026-05-22
Tithi: Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi
Significance: Limitless merit. Frees from cycle of birth and death. Most powerful for moksha-seeking devotees.
Parana time (next day): May 23, 5:30 AM – 8:00 AM IST
Recommended mantras: Vishnu Sahasranama; Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ekadashi in May 2026?
May 2026 has two Ekadashis: Mohini Ekadashi on Thursday, May 7 (Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi) and Apara Ekadashi on Friday, May 22 (Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi). Both are sacred fasting days for Vishnu devotees.
What is Mohini Ekadashi 2026?
Mohini Ekadashi falls on Thursday, May 7, 2026. It commemorates when Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini (the enchantress) to distribute the amrita (nectar) of immortality to the Devas during the Samudra Manthan. Observing this Ekadashi removes delusion and grants spiritual clarity.
What is Apara Ekadashi 2026?
Apara Ekadashi falls on Friday, May 22, 2026 — Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. "Apara" means "limitless" — the merit of this observance is said to be infinite. Especially powerful for those seeking liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
What is the Parana time?
Parana is the time to break the Ekadashi fast on the following day (Dwadashi). For Mohini Ekadashi 2026: May 8, 5:50 AM - 8:20 AM IST. For Apara Ekadashi 2026: May 23, 5:30 AM - 8:00 AM IST. Break the fast within the first ~30 minutes for maximum merit.
What foods are allowed during Ekadashi?
Strict observance: Nirjala (no food, no water). Moderate: fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts, sabudana, water chestnut flour. Avoid: grains (rice, wheat), lentils, salt (in strict observance), onion, garlic. The fast runs sunrise to sunrise (Ekadashi morning to Dwadashi morning).
Related
Ekadashi Vrat — Complete Guide
Ekadashi falls on the 11th lunar day (tithi) of each fortnight in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. There are 24 Ekadashis per regular year (2 per lunar month — one in Shukla Paksha after Amavasya, one in Krishna Paksha after Purnima). Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and observing it is said to grant moksha (liberation), erase past sins (papa-kshaya), and bring prosperity. The practice is universal across all Vaishnava traditions and is widely observed across South Asia.
Standard Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Procedure)
- Sankalpa (resolve) at sunrise on Dashami evening or Ekadashi morning: "I shall observe this Ekadashi vrat for Lord Vishnu's grace."
- Pure foods only from Dashami sunset until Dwadashi parana. Avoid grains (rice, wheat, pulses) — they're absolute restrictions on Ekadashi.
- Allowed foods (phalahar): fruits, milk, yogurt, nuts, sabudana (tapioca), singhada flour (water-chestnut), sweet potato, rock salt (sendha namak only — no regular salt).
- Worship: chant Vishnu Sahasranama or "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" — 108 or 1008 times. Offer Tulsi leaves at Vishnu's feet.
- Parana (fast-breaking) next morning on Dwadashi, after sunrise but within Hari Vasara end. Eating outside Hari Vasara is considered as breaking vrat improperly.
Important Ekadashis Through the Year
| Month (Amanta) | Shukla Ekadashi | Krishna Ekadashi |
|---|---|---|
| Vaisakha (Apr-May) | Mohini | Apara (Achala) |
| Jyeshtha (May-Jun) | Nirjala (strictest) | Yogini |
| Ashada (Jun-Jul) | Devshayani (Chaturmas begins) | Kamika |
| Shravana (Jul-Aug) | Putrada (Pavitropana) | Aja |
| Bhadrapada (Aug-Sep) | Parsva (Parivartini) | Indira |
| Ashvin (Sep-Oct) | Papankusha | Rama |
| Kartika (Oct-Nov) | Devuthani (Vivah begins) | Utpanna |
| Margashirsha (Nov-Dec) | Mokshada (Gita Jayanti) | Saphala |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink water on Ekadashi?
Most Ekadashis allow water + fluids — only Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla) forbids even water. Pregnant women, children, elderly, and ill people are exempt from strict water restriction. Honey or fruit juice can substitute if plain water is medically problematic.
What's the parana timing rule?
Parana (fast-breaking meal) should be done after sunrise on Dwadashi but before the end of Hari Vasara (the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi). If Dwadashi ends before sunrise, parana is done as soon as Dwadashi tithi technically prevails at sunrise. Specific timing is shown on each Ekadashi page.
Are all 24 Ekadashis mandatory?
No — many devotees observe only the Shukla Ekadashis (12 per year), or specific powerful ones like Nirjala (which is said to equal all 24 combined) + Vaikuntha + Mokshada. Beginners often start with Devshayani + Devuthani (the bookends of Chaturmas). Consistency matters more than completeness.
What's Hari Vasara?
Hari Vasara is the first quarter (1/4) of Dwadashi tithi — the period when Lord Vishnu is said to be especially active. Eating during Hari Vasara breaks the vrat's spiritual benefit even if technically Dwadashi has started. Always wait until Hari Vasara ends if it falls early after sunrise.
→ See all 24 Ekadashi dates for the year · → Ekadashi term explained