When is Rama Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 5 November 2026 | — |
| Monday, 25 October 2027 | — |
| Saturday, 14 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 Rama Ekadashi
Rama Ekadashi in the dark half of Kartik falls four days before Diwali. 'Rama' here is a name of Lakshmi, and the vrat is linked with prosperity and the removal of sin.
Devotees worship Vishnu with Lakshmi (Rama) and prepare the home for Diwali.
The story of Rama Ekadashi
King Muchukunda's daughter Chandrabhaga married Shobhana, a prince of weak health. On Rama Ekadashi, in her father's kingdom, everyone fasted by royal order; Shobhana fasted too, and died before morning.
By the merit of that fast he was reborn as the ruler of a radiant city on Mount Mandarachala, though it was unstable because his vrat had been kept without full faith. Chandrabhaga, by the merit of her own years of Ekadashi fasts, made the city firm and joined him there.
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 Rama 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 Rama 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 Rama 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 Rama Ekadashi 2026?
Rama Ekadashi falls on Thursday, 5 November 2026 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
Who is 'Rama' in Rama Ekadashi?
Rama is a name of Lakshmi; the Ekadashi is not named after Shri Rama.
What is eaten on the Rama 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.