वरूथिनी एकादशी
Varuthini Ekadashi
Vaishakha Krishna Ekadashi, a fast of protection, said to shield the devotee like armour and give the merit of great charity.
About Varuthini Ekadashi
Varuthini Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Vaishakha Krishna Paksha. It is a fast of protection, said to shield the devotee like armour and give the merit of great charity.
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 Varuthini 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
King Mandhata is said to have attained heaven by keeping this fast. Varuthini means protected, and charity of food and sesame on this day is especially praised.
Questions
When is Varuthini Ekadashi in 2026?
Varuthini Ekadashi 2026 is on Monday, 13 April 2026. Krishna Ekadashi tithi begins at 1:17 AM on Monday 13 April and ends at 1:08 AM on Tuesday 14 April IST.
When should I break the Varuthini Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 6:54 AM on Tuesday 14 April to 11:04 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 Varuthini 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.
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
Never miss a vrat
Subscribe once and every date appears in your phone calendar, with a reminder the evening before. New years are added automatically.
Every festival and vrat
Ekadashis only