Shukla Ekadashi (Bhadrapada) 2026: Fasting Window, Parana Timing and Who Should Observe
The fast falls on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, with parana on Wednesday morning. Here is the tithi window, the parana rule and how to keep the vrat sensibly.
Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi 2026 is observed on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. The Ekadashi tithi runs from 8:01 PM, 21 September 2026 to 9:43 PM, 22 September 2026. Parana, breaking the fast, is on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, from 6:10 AM to 8:35 AM (2 hours 25 minutes), New Delhi time.
- The fast is kept on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, from sunrise at 6:09 AM until parana the next morning.
- Parana falls on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, between 6:10 AM and 8:35 AM.
- Grains and beans are avoided, while fruit, milk and water are taken according to your capacity.
- Parana is never done during Hari Vasara and must be completed before Dwadashi ends.
When is Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi in 2026?
The vrat is observed on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. All times here are IST for New Delhi; other cities differ by a few minutes. The Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:01 PM, 21 September 2026 and ends at 9:43 PM, 22 September 2026. Because Ekadashi is the tithi in force at sunrise on 22 September (sunrise is 6:09 AM), that is the fasting day. When Smarta and Vaishnava calendars differ, this page follows the Smarta date. This Ekadashi is widely known as Parsva or Parivartini Ekadashi, associated with Lord Vishnu turning over in his cosmic sleep during Chaturmas.
What is the parana time to break the fast?
Break the fast on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, between 6:10 AM and 8:35 AM, a window of 2 hours 25 minutes. Two rules shape this window. First, parana is not done during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi, which ends at 4:01 AM on 23 September. Second, parana should be done before Dwadashi tithi ends. The morning window after sunrise satisfies both, so aim to eat within it.
How is the Ekadashi fast observed?
The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi until parana the next day. Grains and beans are avoided throughout. Fruit, milk and water are commonly taken, depending on what your body can manage; some keep a stricter fast, others a lighter one. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with tulsi leaves, and the day is spent in prayer or reading scripture. Specific rituals, offerings and stories recited differ by family and region, so follow your own household's custom where you have one.
Who should observe this Ekadashi, and who can adapt it?
Anyone devoted to Vishnu can keep this vrat, and the tradition itself allows the fast to match a person's capacity. Elderly people, those who are unwell, pregnant women and anyone on regular medication usually keep a fruit-and-milk fast or simply avoid grains rather than going without food. If you have a health condition, speak to your doctor before fasting. Sincere prayer matters more than severity.
What other timings on 22 September are useful?
Abhijit muhurat is 11:49 AM to 12:38 PM (49 minutes), and Rahu kaal is 3:16 PM to 4:47 PM (1 hour 31 minutes), which many prefer to avoid for starting puja. Sunset is at 6:18 PM and moonrise at 3:48 PM. Uttara Ashadha nakshatra lasts until 7:07 AM, 22 September 2026, and Atiganda yoga until 4:29 PM. Festival timings are the same for everyone in a city, but how a period affects you personally depends on your own chart, which Melooha can check.
- Swiss Ephemeris (planetary data)
- Lahiri ayanamsa
- Padma Purana
- Nirnaya Sindhu
Frequently Asked Questions
It is observed on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. The tithi starts at 8:01 PM on 21 September, but the fast is kept on the day Ekadashi prevails at sunrise.
No. Parana is done the next morning, Wednesday, 23 September 2026, between 6:10 AM and 8:35 AM.
It is the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi, during which parana is not done. On 23 September it ends at 4:01 AM, before the parana window opens.
Yes, many people take fruit, milk and water depending on their capacity. Grains and beans are avoided.
Yes, the times given are for New Delhi and differ by a few minutes elsewhere. Check your local panchang for exact local times.
Every article is checked against the classical texts by our astrologers before it goes up.
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