‘Ekadasi’ (ekāhdaśī, “Eleven”) (Sanskrit: एकादशी, Kannada: ಏಕಾದಶಿ, Tamil: ஏகாதசி, Bengali: একাদশী, Telugu: ఏకాదశి, Malayalam: ഏകാദശി) also spelled as Ekadasi, is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Hindu calendar month – the Sukla Paksha (the period of the brightening moon also known as the waxing phase) and the Krishna Paksha (the period of the fading moon also known as the waning phase).
Ekadasi is considered a spiritual day and is usually observed by partial fast. Beans and grains are not consumed by observant people because they are believed to be contaminated by sin. Instead, only fruit, vegetables, and milk products are eaten. This period of abstinence starts from sunrise on the day of Ekadasi to sunset on the following day.
Vedic rules state that anyone between the ages of eight years and eighty years should fast, including forgoing water. However, people who are sick, have health issues, or are pregnant are exempt from the rule and may consume light food including milk and fruits.
The timing of each Ekadasi is according to the position of the moon. The Hindu calendar marks progression from a full moon to a new moon as divided into fifteen equal arcs. Each arc measures one lunar day, called a tithi. The time it takes the moon to traverse a particular distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekadasi refers to the 11th tithi, or lunar day. The eleventh tithi corresponds to a precise phase of the waxing and waning moon. In the bright half of the lunar month, the moon will appear roughly 3/4 full on Ekadasi, and in the dark half of the lunar month, the moon will be about 3/4 dark on Ekadasi.
There are usually 24 Ekadasi’s in a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekadasis that happen in a leap year. Each Ekadasi day is purported to have particular benefits and blessings that are attained by the performance of specific activities.
Those who fast on this day are considered to get rid of malefic planetary influences, experience happiness, and gain the right peace of mind to think of Ishvara and attain moksha.
Below is a list of Ekadasi’s. Click on the Ekadasi name to read more about the significance of a particular Ekadasi.
| Name of Ekadasi | Month | 2023 Date | 2023 Day of Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaikunta / Putrada | January | 2 | Monday |
| Sat-tilaa | 17 | Tuesday | |
| Jaya / Bhaima / Bhishma | 31 | Tuesday | |
| Vijaya | February | 16 | Thursday |
| Amalaki | March | 2 | Thursday |
| Papamochani | 17 | Friday | |
| Kamada | April | 1 | Saturday |
| Varuthini | 16 | Sunday | |
| Mohini | May | 1 | Monday |
| Apara | 15 | Monday | |
| Pandava Nirjala | 30 | Tuesday | |
| Yogini | June | 13 | Tuesday |
| Deva-Sayani / Padma | 29 | Thursday | |
| Kamika | July | 13 | Thursday |
| Padmini | 28 | Friday | |
| Parama | August | 11 | Friday |
| Pavitropana | 27 | Sunday | |
| Aja / Annada | September | 10 | Sunday |
| Parsva / Parivartini / Vamana | 25 | Monday | |
| Indira | October | 9 | Monday |
| Pasankusha | 24 | Tuesday | |
| Rama | November | 8 | Wednesday |
| Utthana / Haribodhini | 23 | Thursday | |
| Utpanna | December | 8 | Friday |
| Mokshada | 22 | Friday | |
| Saphala | Not Occuring | ||
