When is Apara Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 1 June 2027 | — |
| Saturday, 20 May 2028 | — |
Dates for New Delhi (tithi at sunrise). Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ by a day; check your local Panchang for the fast and parana times. All Ekadashi dates →
About Apara Ekadashi
Apara (Achala) Ekadashi in the dark half of Jyeshtha is said to give boundless (apara) merit and to free one from grave sins. In Odisha it is Jalakrida Ekadashi and in Punjab Bhadrakali Ekadashi.
Devotees worship Trivikrama (Vamana) and give generously; the merit is often dedicated to departed family members.
The story of Apara Ekadashi
King Mahidhvaja was murdered by his jealous younger brother Vajradhvaja, who buried his body under a peepal tree. Mahidhvaja's spirit, unable to find peace, haunted the tree and troubled all who passed.
The sage Dhaumya, seeing the restless spirit, kept Apara Ekadashi himself and gave its merit to the king, who was freed and rose to heaven.
As told in the Ekadashi Mahatmya of the Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana tradition, where Krishna narrates each Ekadashi's glory to Yudhishthira. Versions differ in detail between editions.
How to keep the Apara Ekadashi vrat
- Dashami, the day before. Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset and avoid grains that night.
- Morning. Bathe early, take a sankalp for the vrat, and worship Vishnu or Krishna with tulsi leaves, flowers, a diya and incense.
- Through the day. Keep the fast as your tradition and health allow — nirjala, phalahar (fruit and milk) or one light meal without grains. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", hear the story of Apara Ekadashi, and avoid anger and idle talk.
- Night. Many keep jagaran — staying awake with bhajans and kirtan.
- Dwadashi. Break the fast (parana) after sunrise within the Dwadashi tithi, after offering food to Vishnu and to someone in need.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions should keep a lighter fast.
Mantra for Apara Ekadashi
Dvadashakshari mantra of Vishnu
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, who dwells in all beings. Chant it 108 times on a tulsi mala through the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Apara Ekadashi 2027?
Apara Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, 1 June 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
Why is it called Apara?
Apara means 'boundless' — the vrat is said to give limitless merit.
What is eaten on the Apara Ekadashi fast?
Grains and beans — rice, wheat and dal — are avoided. Fruit, milk, nuts, potatoes, sabudana, singhara and kuttu flour and rock salt are commonly eaten. Some keep a nirjala fast; follow your family tradition and your health.
When is the Ekadashi fast broken?
On Dwadashi, the next day, after sunrise and within the Dwadashi tithi — not during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi. This is called parana; check the time in your local Panchang.