When is Vijaya Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, 3 March 2027 | Ekadashi spans two sunrises — Smarta and Vaishnava observance may differ |
| Sunday, 20 February 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 Vijaya Ekadashi
Vijaya Ekadashi in the dark half of Phalguna is 'the giver of victory' — kept before a difficult undertaking.
A kalash of water with mango leaves and an image of Vishnu is set up and worshipped through the day and night.
The story of Vijaya Ekadashi
When Shri Rama reached the shore of the ocean with the vanara army and wondered how to cross to Lanka, Lakshmana took him to the sage Vakadalbhya nearby.
The sage told Rama to keep the Vijaya Ekadashi of Phalguna with a kalash of water and offerings. Rama kept it with his army, and went on to cross the ocean and defeat Ravana.
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 Vijaya 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 Vijaya 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 Vijaya 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 Vijaya Ekadashi 2027?
Vijaya Ekadashi falls on Wednesday, 3 March 2027 (New Delhi). Ekadashi spans two sunrises — Smarta and Vaishnava observance may differ. Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What is Vijaya Ekadashi kept for?
For victory and success in difficult undertakings, as Rama kept it before crossing to Lanka.
What is eaten on the Vijaya 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.