Ekadashi
Padmini Ekadashi
Padmini Ekadashi dates and parana
| Date | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Parana (Dwadashi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2026Tuesday | 05:10 AM, 26 May | 06:21 AM, 27 May | 27 Mayafter sunrise 05:25 AM |
Story of Padmini Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)
King Kritavirya of the Haihaya line had a thousand wives but no heir. He went to the forest to do tapasya, but Queen Padmini, one of his wives, stayed back and, advised by Sage Anasuya, observed the Adhika Shukla Ekadashi with full devotion. Vishnu appeared and gave the boon that a mighty son would be born. That son was Kartavirya Arjuna, the thousand-armed king who later captured even Ravana.
Significance of Padmini Ekadashi
Padmini (also Kamala) Ekadashi comes only in an Adhika Maas, once in about three years. The Adhika month is also called Purushottam Maas and is dedicated to Vishnu.
The tradition says that keeping Padmini Ekadashi gives wishes fulfilled and the grace of Vishnu in the extra month. It falls in Adhika Maas, the extra month (only in years that have one) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.
How to keep Padmini Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi
- Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
- Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
- Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
- During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
- Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
- Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.
For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.
Questions people ask
When is Padmini Ekadashi?
Padmini Ekadashi comes in Adhika Maas. See the dates table on this page for 2026, 2027.
In which month and paksha does Padmini Ekadashi fall?
It falls in Adhika Maas, the extra month (only in years that have one).
What is the story of Padmini Ekadashi?
King Kritavirya of the Haihaya line had a thousand wives but no heir. He went to the forest to do tapasya, but Queen Padmini, one of his wives, stayed back and, advised by Sage Anasuya, observed the Adhika Shukla Ekadashi with full devotion.
What can I eat on Padmini Ekadashi?
Fruit, milk, curd, makhana, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour, potato and rock salt are fine. Avoid rice, wheat, pulses, onion and garlic.
When is the parana of Padmini Ekadashi?
On Dwadashi, the next day, after sunrise, outside Hari Vasara and before Dwadashi ends. The dates table shows the parana date and sunrise time.