When is Prabodhini Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Friday, 20 November 2026 | This year Ekadashi falls between two sunrises, so Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ |
| Wednesday, 10 November 2027 | — |
| Saturday, 28 October 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 Prabodhini Ekadashi
Prabodhini (Devutthani or Dev Uthani) Ekadashi in the bright half of Kartik is the day Vishnu wakes from his four-month sleep. Chaturmas ends, weddings resume, and Tulsi Vivah — the marriage of Tulsi with Shaligram — begins. In Maharashtra it is Kartiki Ekadashi at Pandharpur.
Tulsi Vivah is celebrated on this day or until Kartik Purnima; the Pandharpur Kartiki wari and the Pushkar fair (to Kartik Purnima) draw great crowds.
The story of Prabodhini Ekadashi
The Purana describes how, at the end of Chaturmas, the gods and sages wake Vishnu with conches, music and hymns. Families draw his footprints at the door, place sugarcane, water chestnuts and new produce before the shrine, and sing 'Utho Dev, baitho Dev' — 'Rise, O Lord, be seated, O Lord'.
It is also the birthday of Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan, and the start of the season of weddings.
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 Prabodhini 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 Prabodhini 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 Prabodhini 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 Prabodhini Ekadashi 2026?
Prabodhini Ekadashi falls on Friday, 20 November 2026 (New Delhi). This year Ekadashi falls between two sunrises, so Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ. Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
Why are weddings held after Prabodhini Ekadashi?
Because Vishnu wakes from his four-month sleep on this day, and auspicious ceremonies resume.
What is Tulsi Vivah?
The ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant with Vishnu as Shaligram, celebrated from Prabodhini Ekadashi.
What is eaten on the Prabodhini 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.