When is Parama Ekadashi?
Parama Ekadashi is kept only in years with an adhik (extra) lunar month, about once in three years. See all Ekadashi dates →
About Parama Ekadashi
Parama Ekadashi falls in the dark half of the adhik (extra) lunar month. It is said to grant the highest (parama) blessings and freedom from poverty.
Kept only in years with an adhik month; some keep a five-day vrat (Pancharatra) beginning on this Ekadashi.
The story of Parama Ekadashi
In Kampilya lived a poor but devout Brahmin, Sumedha, and his wife Pavitra, who served guests even when they themselves went hungry. Sumedha thought of leaving to earn money abroad, but his wife urged patience.
The sage Kaundinya came to their home and taught them Parama Ekadashi. They kept it for five days with devotion, and their poverty ended.
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 Parama 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 Parama 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 Parama 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 Parama Ekadashi?
Parama Ekadashi comes only in years with an adhik (extra) lunar month. Check the Panchang.
When is Parama Ekadashi?
In the dark half of the adhik (extra) month, which comes about once every three years.
What is eaten on the Parama 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.