इंदिरा एकादशी
Indira Ekadashi
Ashwina Krishna Ekadashi, the Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha, kept to bring peace to ancestors.
About Indira Ekadashi
Indira Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Ashwina Krishna Paksha. It is the Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha, kept to bring peace to ancestors.
Like every Ekadashi it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to the Parana, the breaking of the fast, after sunrise the next morning on Dwadashi.
How to celebrate
Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset on Dashami, the day before.
On Ekadashi morning, bathe and take a sankalp, a resolve, to keep the fast.
Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, a diya and fruit.
Read or listen to the Indira Ekadashi vrat katha and chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Stay awake for part of the night in bhajan or prayer if you can.
Break the fast the next day within the Parana time for your city.
Do
- Fruit, milk, nuts, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour
- Rock salt instead of regular salt
Avoid
- Rice and all grains, beans and lentils
- Onion, garlic, meat and alcohol
The story
Narada told King Indrasena that his father was suffering in Yama's realm. The king kept Indira Ekadashi and offered its merit, and his father attained Vishnu's abode.
Questions
When is Indira Ekadashi in 2026?
Indira Ekadashi 2026 is on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Krishna Ekadashi tithi begins at 2:07 AM on Tuesday 6 October and ends at 12:34 AM on Wednesday 7 October IST.
When should I break the Indira Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 6:17 AM on Wednesday 7 October to 10:58 AM IST. Break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
What can I eat during the Indira Ekadashi fast?
Fruit, milk and curd, nuts, sabudana, potatoes, and kuttu or singhara flour cooked with rock salt. Grains, rice, beans and lentils are avoided.
Why is rice avoided on Ekadashi?
Grains are believed to hold the sin that sought refuge on Ekadashi. Rice in particular is avoided by everyone, even those who do not keep the full fast.
Around Indira Ekadashi
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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