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‘Papankusha Ekadashi’ arrives in the series of Ekadashi fasts considered to be the most important in Sanatan Dharma, right after the holy festival of Shardiya Navratri and Vijayadashami. This Ekadashi, falling in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month, is considered to be the date that curbs all sins and grants salvation. This year, due to the change in dates in the calendar and Dashami Yukta Ekadashi, there is doubt among the devotees and those observing fast whether the fast of Gyaras should be kept on 21st October or 22nd October. According to the clear rules of religious texts, Padma Purana and Nirman Sindhu, it is extremely important to select the right date based on the principle of Ekadashi consisting of Udayatithi and Dwadashi so that the full virtuous results of the fast can be achieved.
In the Vaishnav and Smarta traditions of Sanatan Dharma, the rules of Ekadashi are followed very minutely. Whenever Ekadashi Tithi touches the time of sunrise from Dashami Tithi, it is considered as ‘Viddha Ekadashi’ in the scriptures, which is advised to be avoided for householders. At the same time, when the effect of Ekadashi continues during the sunrise time of the next day and there is a coincidence with Dwadashi date, then it is considered as ‘Shuddha Ekadashi’ or very virtuous Ekadashi. According to the calendar calculation, Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi Tithi will start from the afternoon of 21st October and will be effective till the morning of 22nd October, due to which the value of Udayatithi will be valid only on 22nd October 2026.
According to the microscopic analysis of the Panchang, the beginning of Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. Wednesday, October 21, 2026 It is about 01:15 in the afternoon. This date is the next day i.e. Thursday, October 22, 2026 It will be prevalent till around 11.40 in the morning.
There is a universal rule in the scriptures that only the date of sunrise i.e. Udayatithi is accepted for fasting. Dashami Tithi will be present at the time of sunrise on 21st October, while the holy Ekadashi Tithi will be present at the time of sunrise on 22nd October. Therefore, according to the householder and Vaishnav tradition, the waterless or fruitless fast of Papankusha Ekadashi is observed. Thursday, October 22, 2026 Only will be kept. Due to it being Thursday, the coincidence of worship of Lord Shri Hari Vishnu is increasing the importance of Ekadashi manifold this time.
It is considered best to resolve and worship Ekadashi fast in the auspicious Choghadiya or Amrit Muhurta in the morning after sunrise. On the morning of 22nd October, after taking bath etc., meditate on the Padmanabha form of Lord Vishnu and complete the worship by offering yellow clothes, yellow flowers, Panchamrit and Tulsi Dal.
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Ekadashi Tithi Start: 21st October 2026, 01:15 PM
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Ekadashi date ends: By October 22, 2026, 11:40 am
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Date of fasting: Friday, October 23, 2026
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Auspicious time of Paran: Between 06:28 am to 08:45 am on October 23
It is a religious belief that Ekadashi fast should be broken only before the end of Dwadashi Tithi and after the completion of Harivasar period. If Parana is not performed within Dwadashi, the fast becomes fruitless, hence break the fast on Friday morning by giving food, water or donation to the Brahmin within the stipulated time limit.
In Padma Purana, Lord Shri Krishna has explained in detail to Dharmaraja Yudhishthir about the importance of Papankusha Ekadashi. The word ‘Papankusha’ is made up of two words – sin and curb. Just as a mahout controls an intoxicated elephant with the help of the reins, in the same way, this Ekadashi curbs the grave sins committed by a person knowingly or unknowingly through thought, speech and action.
It is said in the scriptures that the person who fasts with true heart on this day and worships the ‘Padmanabha’ form of Lord Vishnu, gets the same virtuous results as a thousand Ashwamedha Yagyas and a hundred Rajsuya Yagyas. This fast not only provides worldly happiness, opulence and a healthy body to the person observing the fast, but also liberates his maternal, paternal and in-laws’ ancestors from the sufferings of Yamalok and paves the way to Vaikuntha Dham.
The devotees observing fast on Papankusha Ekadashi should start following the rules from the evening of Dashami Tithi:
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Rules of Dashami: Consume satvik food before sunset on Dashami Tithi (21st October). On this day, it is considered completely mandatory to give up Tamasic food, garlic, onion and rice.
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Resolution and worship: On the morning of Ekadashi (22 October), wake up in Brahma Muhurta and take bath with water containing Ganga water. Take a pledge to fast in front of Lord Vishnu with water, Akshat and flowers in your hand.
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Abhishekam of Lord Padmanabha: Install the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi at the place of worship. Do Abhishekam with Panchamrit, Ganga water and saffron. Apply yellow sandalwood tilak to the Lord and offer yellow fruits and sweets. Keep in mind that Tulsi party must be included in the offering, because without Tulsi, Shri Hari does not accept the offering.
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Mantra chanting and story listening: Keep chanting Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya mantra mentally throughout the day and listen and read the mythological fast story of Papankusha Ekadashi in the afternoon or evening.
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Night vigil: There is a special tradition of night vigil in this Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is very fond of spending time at night singing bhajans and kirtans.
On the day of Ekadashi, some activities are considered completely prohibited in the scriptures. The most important rule is that no member of the household should consume rice on this day. According to mythological belief, eating rice on the day of Ekadashi is considered equivalent to eating the blood and flesh of Maharishi Medha. Apart from this, getting angry at someone, criticizing someone, telling lies, plucking leaves of trees and plants and cutting hair and nails are also completely prohibited on this holy date. By observing this fast with devotion on 22nd October, the devotees can attain spiritual peace by getting freedom from all the troubles and sins of their life.