Ekadashi September 2026 — Both Pakshas
సెప్టెంబర్ 2026 ఏకాదశి తేదీలు — శుక్ల + కృష్ణ పక్షం
Parsva Ekadashi 26 Aug (Wednesday) · Indira Ekadashi 9 Sep (Wednesday)
Ekadashi in September 2026 has two observances: Parsva Ekadashi (పార్శ్వ ఏకాదశి) on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 — Lord Vishnu turns from one side to the other in yogic sleep — Parivartini. Indira Ekadashi (ఇందిరా ఏకాదశి) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 — Falls during Pitru Paksha — most important Ekadashi for ancestral worship. Both observed with Ekadashi vrat (Nirjala / Phalahara / Eka-bhukta), Vishnu worship, and parana on Dwadashi morning.
Both Ekadashis of September 2026
| Ekadashi | Date | Tithi Begins (IST) | Tithi Ends (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsva Ekadashi Shukla Paksha · Bhadrapada Shudda Ekadashi | Wednesday 26 August 2026 | 2026-08-25 23:08 | 2026-08-26 23:42 |
| Indira Ekadashi Krishna Paksha · Bhadrapada Bahula Ekadashi | Wednesday 9 September 2026 | 2026-09-08 18:23 | 2026-09-09 19:54 |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Parsva Ekadashi — Wednesday 26 Aug
Alternative names: Parivartini Ekadashi · Vamana Ekadashi · Jayanti Ekadashi
Lord Vishnu turns from one side to the other in yogic sleep — Parivartini. Marks Vamana Avatar Jayanti. Halfway point of Chaturmas. Donate to brahmins and feed cows.
Indira Ekadashi — Wednesday 9 Sep
Alternative names: Ashtami Ekadashi (in Pitru Paksha period)
Falls during Pitru Paksha — most important Ekadashi for ancestral worship. Performing this Ekadashi liberates ancestors from any lower realms. Particularly recommended for those carrying Pitru Dosha.
How to Observe Ekadashi Vrat
- Dashami evening (day before): Take only one satvik meal. Avoid rice, lentils, and onion/garlic. Sleep with intention to fast.
- Ekadashi pre-dawn (Brahma Muhurtam): Bathe, wear clean cotton/silk. Sankalpa stating which Ekadashi vrat type (Nirjala/Phalahara/Eka-bhukta).
- Vishnu puja: Tulsi leaves, white/yellow flowers, milk-honey abhishekam if Saligramam present. Vishnu Sahasranama recitation.
- Fast through the day: No grains. Permitted (if Phalahara): fruits, milk, sabudana, sweet potato, raw banana, ghee. Drink water unless Nirjala observance.
- Night vigil (Jagaran): Stay awake reading Padma Purana / Bhagavatam / Vishnu Sahasranama. Especially for serious practitioners.
- Parana (Dwadashi morning): Wake before sunrise. After sunrise, perform short Vishnu puja. Take Tulsi tirtha first. Then a light satvik meal — typically pulihora, kheer, or rice. Break the fast within the parana muhurta window (first 1-2 hours of Dwadashi after sunrise).
Recommended Vishnu Mantra (Ekadashi Day)
Vishnu Ashtakshara Mantra — 108 times
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Telugu: ఓం నమో భగవతే వాసుదేవాయ
Transliteration: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
All Ekadashis 2026 — Quick Reference
| Month | Shukla Paksha | Krishna Paksha |
|---|---|---|
| June | Nirjala Ekadashi · 30 May | Yogini Ekadashi · 14 Jun |
| July | Devshayani Ekadashi · 28 Jun | Kamika Ekadashi · 13 Jul |
| August | Putrada Ekadashi (Shravana) · 28 Jul | Aja Ekadashi · 11 Aug |
| September ✓ | Parsva Ekadashi · 26 Aug | Indira Ekadashi · 9 Sep |
| October | Papankusha Ekadashi · 25 Sep | Rama Ekadashi · 9 Oct |
| November | Devuthani Ekadashi · 24 Oct | Utpanna Ekadashi · 7 Nov |
| December | Mokshada Ekadashi · 22 Nov | Saphala Ekadashi · 6 Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ekadashi in September 2026?
What is Parsva Ekadashi?
What is Indira Ekadashi?
How is Ekadashi fast (Ekadashi Vrat) observed?
Why are there two Ekadashis per month?
What is the parana (breaking the fast) time?
Related Pages
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