What Is Ekadashi? Meaning, Fasting and Importance
What the 11th Tithi means, how the fast is observed, and why it matters.
Ekadashi (एकादशी) means "eleventh" — it's the 11th Tithi (lunar day) of each Paksha (fortnight). Since a lunar month has two Pakshas, there are two Ekadashis every month: one in Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) and one in Krishna Paksha (waning moon), giving 24 Ekadashis in a typical year (occasionally 25, when the calendar's leap-month cycle adds an extra one — as happens in 2027).
Why Ekadashi is significant
Ekadashi is traditionally dedicated to Vishnu, and observing a fast on this day is considered one of the most meritorious personal spiritual practices in Vaishnava tradition. Each of the year's Ekadashis has its own name and its own associated story, usually from the Puranas — Nirjala Ekadashi, Devshayani Ekadashi, and Mokshada Ekadashi are among the better-known.
How the fast is observed
Observance varies by individual capacity and family tradition, ranging across a spectrum:
- Full fast — no food or water at all (Nirjala, "waterless," the strictest form)
- Fruit and milk only — a common middle-ground observance
- Grain-free eating — abstaining specifically from grains and certain vegetables while still eating a light meal
Most traditions recommend a light meal the day before (Dashami) to avoid residual food in the body during the fast, and breaking the fast only after sunrise the following day.
What is Parana?
Parana is the ritual breaking of the Ekadashi fast, performed on Dwadashi (the 12th Tithi, the day after Ekadashi). Timing matters here — traditional guidance specifies a window after sunrise within which the fast should be broken, since breaking it too early or too late is considered to reduce the fast's spiritual merit.
Smarta vs Vaishnava observance
Two traditions sometimes observe the same Ekadashi a day apart — Smarta households (general mainstream practice) and Vaishnava households (particularly ISKCON and related traditions), depending on how each tradition's rule interacts with the exact moment the Tithi begins or ends relative to sunrise. Our 2027 Ekadashi calendar shows both dates wherever they differ.
Ekadashi and the wider Panchanga
Ekadashi is a Tithi — one of the five elements of the Panchanga. To understand how Tithi is calculated and why it can shift by up to a day between locations, see What Is Tithi? and the broader What Is Panchanga?
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do a complete waterless fast on every Ekadashi?
No — only Nirjala Ekadashi is traditionally observed without water. Most other Ekadashis are commonly observed with fruit, milk, and water permitted, according to individual capacity and family tradition.
What happens if I can't fast on Ekadashi?
Traditional guidance generally emphasises intention and devotion over strict physical austerity, and suggests adapting the practice (a lighter partial fast, or focused prayer instead) rather than skipping the observance altogether — consult your family tradition or spiritual guide for specifics.
Where can I find this year's exact Ekadashi dates?
See our complete, verified Ekadashi 2027 calendar for every date, name, and Smarta/Vaishnava distinction.