Apara Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu

Hindu

Get a reminder before the next Apara Ekadashi

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

Remind me

Dates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.

The eleventh day of each lunar fortnight, dedicated to fasting and devotion to Vishnu

Dates 2026–2027

May 13, 2026June 1, 2027

Mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — I surrender to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu), who dwells in all beings

Foods Allowed

Fruits of all kindsBanana chips (made with sendha namak and ghee/coconut oil)All fresh fruits — including banana, apple, mango, papaya, pomegranate, grapes, pear, chikoo, guava, watermelon, orange, and seasonal fruitsMilk, curd, gheeSabudana (tapioca)Kuttu atta (buckwheat flour)Singhara atta (water chestnut flour)Potatoes and sweet potatoesRock salt (sendha namak)Nuts and dry fruitsAmaranth (rajgira)

Foods to Avoid

Rice and wheatLentils and beansOnion and garlicRegular table saltMeat and eggsAlcohol

Meal Idea

Mango lassi with crushed cardamom, and sabudana vada — a summer fast treat

What distinguishes Apara Ekadashi?

Apara Ekadashi is associated with the idea of boundless spiritual merit and with repentance. Its devotional significance emphasises the possibility of changing one's conduct, rather than presenting a fast as a transaction guaranteeing a result. This differs from Ekadashis centred on a sacred tree, a named ingredient or the opening of a seasonal period. Reading its individual account alongside Vishnu worship can help distinguish this observance from neighbouring days in the same recurring family.

Traditional accounts: Drik Panchang's Ekadashi katha collection

Deity and devotional focus

Lord Vishnu

Meal ideas for this occurrence

The catalog's permitted-meal idea for Apara Ekadashi is: Mango lassi with crushed cardamom, and sabudana vada — a summer fast treat

May: An optional warm-season menu can favour a simple fruit or coconut-water serving if the particular fast allows it. Follow a medically suitable discipline; these suggestions do not make a no-water fast safe.

June: For an allowed early-summer meal, keep fruit and dairy properly stored and prepare only what will be served. A refreshing dish belongs to a permitted or post-fast meal, not to a strict complete fast.

These are optional permitted-meal ideas, not new fasting rules. Keep the original allowed and avoided foods and follow your tradition's time for ending the fast.

Calendar context

This page's recorded occurrences are 2026-05-13 (Wednesday); 2027-06-01 (Tuesday). The name Apara Ekadashi identifies this observance; it is not an instruction to repeat the same civil date every year.

Civil dates are calendar references; the applicable tithi, local observance rule and community calendar determine the practice. The selected location can change the displayed day.

Read the shared family story and aarti

Related vrats

Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.

Varuthini Ekadashi — April 13, 2026Same tradition and category
Mohini Ekadashi — April 27, 2026Same tradition and category
Kamika Ekadashi — August 9, 2026Same tradition and category
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi — August 23, 2026Same tradition and category
Utpanna Ekadashi — December 4, 2026Same tradition and category
Mokshada Ekadashi (Vaikuntha Ekadashi) — December 20, 2026Same tradition and category

Browse all Hindu observances →

Get a reminder before the next Apara Ekadashi

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

Remind me

Dates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.

Track this vrat in the app

Personalised timings, reminders, and fasting guides for your tradition.

Open VRAT App →