When is Utpanna Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Friday, 4 December 2026 | — |
| Wednesday, 24 November 2027 | — |
| Monday, 13 November 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 Utpanna Ekadashi
Utpanna Ekadashi in the dark half of Margashirsha celebrates the birth (utpatti) of the goddess Ekadashi herself. Many devotees begin the lifelong practice of Ekadashi fasting on this day.
It is the traditional day to begin keeping Ekadashi vrats; the story of Mura is read.
The story of Utpanna Ekadashi
The demon Mura drove the gods from heaven. Vishnu fought him for a thousand years, then withdrew to rest in the Himavati cave at Badarikashrama. As Mura approached to kill the sleeping Lord, a radiant maiden sprang from Vishnu's body and destroyed the demon.
Waking, Vishnu was pleased, named her Ekadashi because she was born on the eleventh tithi, and blessed her: all who fasted on her day would be freed from sin and reach his abode.
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 Utpanna 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 Utpanna 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 Utpanna 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 Utpanna Ekadashi 2026?
Utpanna Ekadashi falls on Friday, 4 December 2026 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What does Utpanna mean?
'Born' — the Ekadashi on which the goddess Ekadashi was born from Vishnu to slay Mura.
Should one start Ekadashi fasting from Utpanna Ekadashi?
Tradition recommends it, as it is the day of Ekadashi's birth.
What is eaten on the Utpanna 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.