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Recurring observance · San Francisco Bay Area

Ekādaśī

Why it matters

Ekādaśī is the eleventh lunar day, widely dedicated to Vishnu and observed as a discipline of fasting, prayer and sense-control.

The story behind it

Vaishnava traditions regard Ekādaśī as especially supportive for devotion and purification; each named Ekādaśī has its own vrata-katha and emphasis.

Prayers and worship

“Om Namo Narayanaya,” Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhagavad Gita or Bhagavata reading, nama-japa, bhajans and arati are common.

Fasting and devotional customs

Many observers avoid grains and beans; stricter fasts may involve fruit, milk or water only. The fast is usually broken at the prescribed Parana time on Dwadashi.

What is typically offered

Tulsi, flowers, fruit, lamps and sattvic foods for post-fast prasādam.

Visiting a temple that day

Fasting rules differ by lineage and health. Temples may publish a specific Parana window; visitors should not assume every devotee is fasting identically. Temple practices vary by region and sampradaya. Dress modestly, remove footwear where required, follow priest/volunteer directions, ask before photography, and check the temple’s event page for exact pooja, fasting and prasādam arrangements.

Spiritual themes

Self-discipline, devotion, purification and remembrance of Vishnu.

Every Ekādaśī date, 2026–2027

These are recurring observances whose dates follow the tithi at a particular moment of the day (sunrise, sunset, moonrise or midnight), computed for the Fremont / Bay Area location. Fasting rules and exact windows differ by lineage — please confirm with Sri Kumar Gurukkal or your family priest. How these dates are calculated →