When is Varuthini Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 2 May 2027 | — |
| Thursday, 20 April 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 Varuthini Ekadashi
Varuthini Ekadashi in the dark half of Vaishakha is said to give protection like armour (varutha) and good fortune. It is also the birth anniversary of the saint Vallabhacharya.
Devotees avoid gambling, anger and harsh speech; many give food and water in the summer heat. Pushtimarg Vaishnavas celebrate Vallabhacharya Jayanti.
The story of Varuthini Ekadashi
The Purana praises the vrat through the stories of kings who were blessed by it — among them King Mandhata, who was freed from suffering, and King Dhundhumara, who was released from a curse of Shiva.
It says that keeping Varuthini Ekadashi gives the merit of great charity, and above all of vidya-dana, the gift of knowledge.
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 Varuthini 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 Varuthini 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 Varuthini 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 Varuthini Ekadashi 2027?
Varuthini Ekadashi falls on Sunday, 2 May 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What does Varuthini mean?
From varutha, 'armour' or 'protection' — the vrat is said to protect its keeper.
What is eaten on the Varuthini 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.