Ekadashi Tithi एकादशी
The 11th lunar day · deity Vishvedevas / Vishnu · Nanda tithi
Ekadashi (एकादशी) is the 11th lunar day (tithi), presided over by Vishvedevas / Vishnu and counted a Nanda tithi (joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure). Ekadashi, the eleventh tithi, is the great fasting day of Vishnu. The tithi prevailing at sunrise is applied to the whole day in the panchang.
Key takeaways
- Presiding deity: Vishvedevas / Vishnu.
- Nature: Nanda — joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure.
- A Nanda tithi ideal for fasting, charity and spiritual practice; heavy grains are avoided.
- Occurs in both the Shukla and Krishna paksha each lunar month.
Ekadashi at a glance
| Presiding deity | Vishvedevas / Vishnu |
| Nature | Nanda — joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure |
| Position | 11th tithi of each paksha |
What is Ekadashi tithi?
Ekadashi, the eleventh tithi, is the great fasting day of Vishnu. As a lunar day, Ekadashi can begin or end at any clock time, so the panchang uses the Ekadashi that is running at sunrise.
Presiding deity of Ekadashi
It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (and the Vishvadevas). Worship and vrats on Ekadashi are directed to this deity.
Nature: a Nanda tithi
Ekadashi belongs to the Nanda group of tithis, which are joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure. The five natures — Nanda, Bhadra, Jaya, Rikta and Purna — repeat through the fortnight and help decide which activities a day suits.
Festivals and observances on Ekadashi
All 24 named Ekadashi vrats fall here — from Nirjala to Prabodhini; devotees fast and worship Vishnu.
- The 24 Ekadashi — every Shukla and Krishna Paksha Ekadashi — the fasting vrats of Lord Vishnu
- Nirjala Ekadashi — Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi — the most austere
- Devshayani & Prabodhini Ekadashi — begin and end the four-month Chaturmas
- Mokshada (Vaikuntha) Ekadashi — Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, with Gita Jayanti
Festivals fixed to Ekadashi recur every year but on shifting Gregorian dates; several also depend on the lunar month and paksha. Confirm this year's dates on the festivals and calendar pages or your local panchang.
What Ekadashi tithi is good for
A Nanda tithi ideal for fasting, charity and spiritual practice; heavy grains are avoided. Combine the tithi with a favourable nakshatra, an auspicious choghadiya and the weekday, avoiding Rahu Kaal, when choosing a muhurat.
Ekadashi in the panchang
You can see whether today is Ekadashi on any city's daily panchang, and find upcoming Ekadashi dates on the panchang calendar. Learn about all the tithis, the 27 nakshatras, or read the complete panchang guide.
Tithi attributes follow traditional sources; for religious observance confirm the exact tithi and timings with your local panchang.
Common questions
Which deity rules Ekadashi tithi?
Ekadashi tithi is presided over by Vishvedevas / Vishnu. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (and the Vishvadevas).
What festivals fall on Ekadashi?
All 24 named Ekadashi vrats fall here — from Nirjala to Prabodhini; devotees fast and worship Vishnu.
Is Ekadashi a good tithi?
A Nanda tithi ideal for fasting, charity and spiritual practice; heavy grains are avoided.
What is a tithi?
A tithi is a lunar day — the time for the Moon to move 12° from the Sun. A lunar month has 30 tithis, 15 in the waxing Shukla paksha and 15 in the waning Krishna paksha.
What is a Nanda tithi?
Nanda tithis are joyful — good for celebrations, art and pleasure. Ekadashi is one of them.