Rama Ekadashi 2026: date, vrat vidhi and parana

About Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi is the dark-half Ekadashi of Kartik, named for Goddess Lakshmi, who is also called Rama. It falls just before Dhanteras and Diwali.

How to keep Rama Ekadashi

Worship Vishnu with Lakshmi as the Diwali days begin.

1. Wake before sunrise, bathe and take a sankalp to keep the Ekadashi vrat.
2. Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, incense and a lamp. Read the Ekadashi katha or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
3. Keep the fast through the day, in the way you are able, and avoid anger and harsh speech.
4. Stay awake with bhajans or reading in the evening if you can.
5. Break the fast the next morning, on Dwadashi, after sunrise and within the parana time.

What to eat and avoid

Fruit, milk, curd, nuts, sabudana, potatoes, sweet potatoes and rock salt (sendha namak) are commonly taken. Many keep a full fast, or only water or fruit.

Rice, wheat and other grains, beans and lentils are avoided on Ekadashi. Many also avoid onion, garlic and regular salt, and do not eat non-vegetarian food on this day.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone with a health condition or on medicine should fast only as far as is safe, and take a doctor's advice. A lighter fast of fruit and milk is fully accepted.

Breaking the fast (parana)

Parana, breaking the fast, is done on Dwadashi, the day after Ekadashi, after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends. It is traditionally avoided in the first part of Dwadashi called Hari Vasara. The exact window depends on your city, so check your local panchang. Break the fast with a simple sattvic meal, and begin with a Tulsi leaf or water offered to Vishnu.

Smarta and Vaishnava dates

Most households follow the Smarta rule: the Ekadashi is the day on which the tithi is present at sunrise. Vaishnava devotees, including many ISKCON and sampradaya followers, follow a stricter rule and in some years keep the day after. Where the two differ, the Vaishnava date is shown alongside. If you follow a Vaishnava tradition, keep that date.