Rama Ekadashi 2026 falls on Thursday, 5 November 2026. The Ekadashi tithi begins around late morning on 4 November and ends around late morning on 5 November. Since the tithi is present at sunrise on 5 November, the fast is observed on this day.

Please note: Tithi and parana timings change slightly with your city's sunrise. Some Panchangs also show a one-day difference between Smarta and Vaishnava traditions, or for devotees living abroad. Always confirm the exact timings in your local Panchang or with your family pandit.

There are always two Ekadashis in every month, one in each half, each named and blessed in their own way. Rama Ekadashi is an Ekadashi falling in Krishna Paksha of Kartik, and falls just a few days before the festival of Diwali. This Ekadashi is also known as Rambha Ekadashi or Kartik Krishna Ekadashi.

The word “Rama” used here is the name of Goddess Lakshmi. This is the reason why this Ekadashi is special for people looking forward to prosperity, peace and stability in their life and in the house. It is also an auspicious day to start the festive time of Diwali with a fresh mind and fasting.

The holy texts extol Rama Ekadashi as an extremely powerful fast which provides both temporal and eternal gains. Followers take part in it with the conviction that:

• It absolves one of all sins. Pious fasting and prayers on this particular day help absolve a man of his sins of the past.

• It is an invitation for the blessings of Lakshmi Narayan. This day marks the association of Vishnu's protection with Lakshmi's blessings.

• It cleanses the mind. Penance, abstinence from speaking and japa help achieve purity of mind.

• It gets you ready for Diwali. Observing this particular vrat just before Diwali helps in cleansing one's house for Goddess Lakshmi.

• It helps you move towards moksha. Just like all other Ekadashi vrats, this too is considered a means to salvation.

The story of Rama Ekadashi is mentioned in Puranas, where Lord Krishna tells this to Yudhishthira.

King Muchukunda and his daughter Chandrabhaga

In the ancient era, there lived an honest king Muchukunda, who was a very sincere devotee of God Vishnu. Everyone in his kingdom used to fast during Ekadashi, according to the instructions of the king; no one used to eat anything in the kingdom on that particular day. The daughter of king Muchukunda was Chandrabhaga and was married to Shobhan.

Shobhan's fasting

One year, Shobhan came to the palace of his father-in-law on the eve of Rama Ekadashi. Shobhan was weak and could not withstand the feeling of hunger. But Chandrabhaga was fearful as per her father's orders, no one in the kingdom would eat on Ekadashi. However, Shobhan decided to fast for the sake of his family and devotion to the Lord. At last, due to weakness, he passed away at dawn.

Kingdom of the Heavens

While Chandrabhaga remained heart-broken, she continued to be dedicated to Lord Vishnu from her father’s house. Shobhan gained the beautiful kingdom on Mandarachal Hill by virtue of the merit of Rama Ekadashi fasting. It was prosperous and sparkling but not stable as he had fasted without being fully willing.

The reunion

Somasharma, who was an adventurous Brahmin and on pilgrimage, came to that kingdom and recognized Shobhan there. On returning home, he recounted everything to Chandrabhaga. She came and bestowed the fruit of her Ekadashi vows that she had performed throughout her life on Shobhan. With the power of her devotion, that kingdom became stable and shining, and the couple happily lived together.

The lesson of the katha: Everything is insignificant compared to faith and devotion in one’s heart.

This puja can be conducted within the confines of one’s house in a very simple manner. The following is one such simple process for conducting this puja.

Step 1 - Wake up early and take a bath. Wake up early in the morning and take a bath and dress up in good clothes especially wearing yellow or white in color.

Step 2 - Take a sankalp. Take a seat in front of the god with water in your right hand and take a vow to observe fast on the day of Rama Ekadashi with dedication.

Step 3 - Decoration of puja mandap. Clean the puja mandap and keep the idol or image of Lord Vishnu and goddess Laxmi and light a diya made of ghee.

Step 4 - Offering. Offer flowers in yellow, fresh tulsi leaves, roli, akshat, incense and fruits.

Step 5 - Chant the prayers. Chant the mantras related to Lord Vishnu with a pure heart.

Step 6 - Conduct aarti. Conduct aarti of Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi and give prasad to the family members.

Step 7 - Be devoted on that day. Keep your mind calm and peaceful. Avoid any kind of fighting or arguing. Instead of doing all this, give some prayers in the form of japa and bhajan.

Step 8 - Conduct vigil during the evening. In the evening, conduct prayer in front of the tulsi plant by lighting a lamp. Many people conduct vigil throughout the night in the form of bhajan and kirtan.

Mantras to be Chanted on Rama Ekadashi

Mantras to be Chanted on Rama Ekadashi

• ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya)

• ॐ नमो नारायणाय (Om Namo Narayanaya)

• ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद (Lakshmi mantra)

Offer japa using a mala having 108 beads.

The fast is kept depending on health and custom. Some commonly followed forms of fasting are:

• Nirjala vrat: Not having anything, not even water. It is taken up by those who are capable and have experience in fasting.

• Phalahar vrat: Fasting on fruits, milk, and other allowed foods. This is the most common form of fast observed.

• One meal: Satvik meal without grains which is prescribed by elders.

There is no compulsion for children, elders, pregnant ladies, and people who have some ailments to keep fasts strictly.

Food Items to be Had during Rama Ekadashi

• Fruits, dry fruits and nuts

• Milk, yogurt, lassi and paneer

• Sabudana, buckwheat (kuttu), singhara and samak rice

• Potatoes, sweet potatoes and other allowed vegetables

• Rock salt (sendha namak) instead of common salt

Items to be Avoided during Rama Ekadashi

• Rice, wheat, pulses, lentils and other grains

• Common salt, onions and garlic

• Meat and liquor

• Anger, gossiping, lying and harsh words

• Daytime sleep

• Pulling out of tulsi leaves on Ekadashi (collect them a day before Ekadashi)

The fasting becomes complete only by breaking the fast in the proper way.

• Break the fast on Dwadashi, i.e., on the day following Ekadashi, 6 November 2026.

• Perform the parana after sunrise during the parana period and after the completion of Ekadashi.

• Do not break the fast during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi.

• Start the process of breaking the fast with some prayers and a sip of Tulsi water or prasad, followed by a small meal.

• Distribute food grains among the needy Brahmins or others according to one’s capacity.

• A calm, focused and disciplined mind

• Relief from the weight of past mistakes

• Blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi

• Peace and harmony in the family

• Spiritual preparation for the Diwali festival

• A healthy break for the body through light eating

• Ignite a ghee lamp in the presence of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in the evening.

• Water the Tulsi plant in the morning and ignite a lamp in the evening by it without picking its leaves on Ekadashi.

• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” to keep yourself mentally peaceful.

• Clean your house today as it will get you prepared for Diwali as well as attract good energy.

• Gratitude and charity are considered equally pleasing to the Goddess as any ritual performed.

Daan increases the virtue of vrat. Think about giving the following things:

• Food grains, fruits, and food to a needy person

• Yellow clothes, a quilt, or clothes for cold weather as winter comes closer

• Ghee, oil, or lights to the temple

• Plants of Tulsi or puja material to Vishnu or Lakshmi temple

• Fodder or care of the cow which is very dear to Lord Krishna

When will be the date of Rama Ekadashi in 2026?

What is the Parana Time for Rama Ekadashi in 2026?

Whose Parivar Devta (Family God) is worshipped during Rama Ekadashi?

Is drinking water allowed on Rama Ekadashi?

Is eating rice allowed on Ekadashi?