When is Saphala Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 3 January 2027 | — |
| Thursday, 23 December 2027 | — |
| Tuesday, 12 December 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 Saphala Ekadashi
Saphala Ekadashi in the dark half of Pausha is 'the fruitful one' — said to make all undertakings succeed.
Devotees offer seasonal fruits to Vishnu and light lamps at night.
The story of Saphala Ekadashi
King Mahishmata of Champavati had a wicked son, Lumpaka, who was banished for his crimes and lived by theft in the forest under a peepal tree. One cold winter day he was too weak to eat or sleep, and spent the whole day and night without food — unknowingly on Saphala Ekadashi.
Next morning he offered the fruit he had gathered to Vishnu under the tree. Pleased by this unknowing vrat, Vishnu changed his heart; Lumpaka returned home, ruled well and in the end reached Vaikuntha.
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 Saphala 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 Saphala 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 Saphala 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 Saphala Ekadashi 2027?
Saphala Ekadashi falls on Sunday, 3 January 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What does Saphala mean?
'Fruitful' — the vrat is said to make one's efforts bear fruit.
What is eaten on the Saphala 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.