Gauna Yogini Ekadashi will be observed on Saturday, July 11, 2026. While the Smarta tradition observes Yogini Ekadashi on Friday, July 10, 2026, the Vaishnava (Gauna) tradition keeps the fast on the following day because of the Udayatithi (sunrise timing) rule.
Gauna (Vaishnava) Yogini Ekadashi falls during the Krishna Paksha of the Ashadha month and is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu.
Here are the important timings for Gauna Yogini Ekadashi 2026:
Gauna Yogini Ekadashi is among the most important Ekadashis dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu. On this auspicious day, devotees observe vrat and pray to Bhagwan Vishnu for forgiveness, good health, peace, and happiness.
According to the Padma Purana, observing Gauna Yogini Ekadashi with faith washes away past sins. The scripture also says that the punya (spiritual merit) earned from observing vrat on this sacred day is equivalent to feeding 88,000 Brahmins and helps devotees progress on the path to moksha. This is the reason why many Sanatanis observe Gauna Yogini Ekadashi every year with complete faith and devotion.
Some devotees observe a strict Nirjala vrat, while others consume fruits, milk, and simple sattvic food as part of the phalahar vrat, depending on their health and ability.
The common rules of Gauna Yogini Ekadashi are:
It comes down to how the date is calculated. Smarta devotees follow one set of rules for deciding when Ekadashi falls. Vaishnavas go by the Udayatithi rule instead, which looks at the tithi present at sunrise, and that's what determines Gauna Yogini Ekadashi for them.
If it's a phalahar vrat, yes, water is fine, and so are the permitted vrat foods. A Nirjala vrat is stricter though. No food, no water, nothing at all until the fast ends.
You can eat fruits, milk, curd, dry fruits, sabudana, singhara atta, and dishes prepared with sendha namak. Grains, rice, pulses, onion, and garlic should be avoided.
It traces back to the Padma Purana. Hemamali, who worked as a gardener for Bhagwan Kubera, was cursed with white leprosy after a mistake he made. Sage Markandeya told him to observe the Yogini Ekadashi vrat with devotion, and he did. The curse was lifted, and his health returned through Bhagwan Vishnu's grace.