When is Padmini Ekadashi?
Padmini Ekadashi is kept only in years with an adhik (extra) lunar month, about once in three years. See all Ekadashi dates →
About Padmini Ekadashi
Padmini (Kamala) Ekadashi falls in the bright half of the adhik (extra) lunar month, which comes about once every three years. It is especially sacred because the adhik month is called Purushottama Masa, dedicated to Vishnu.
Kept only in years with an adhik month, with extra prayer, charity and reading during Purushottama Masa.
The story of Padmini Ekadashi
King Kritavirya and his queen Padmini of Mahishmati had no son despite many penances. On the advice of Anasuya, wife of the sage Atri, Padmini kept the Ekadashi of the adhik month with devotion.
Vishnu was pleased, and a son was born — Kartavirya Arjuna, the mighty thousand-armed king.
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 Padmini 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 Padmini 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 Padmini 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 Padmini Ekadashi?
Padmini Ekadashi comes only in years with an adhik (extra) lunar month. Check the Panchang.
How often does Padmini Ekadashi come?
Only in years with an adhik (extra) lunar month — roughly once every three years.
What is eaten on the Padmini 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.