Pasankusa Ekadashi
Fasting day
From grains and beans, from sunrise
Break the fast ·
6:30 – 10:14 AM
Break the fast after sunrise and before a third of the day has passed.
What is Pasankusa Ekadashi?
Pasankusa Ekadashi is the Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day, of the waxing moon that falls in September or October. Some also call it Papankusa Ekadashi. In 2026 devotees fast on Thursday, 22 October, the day after Ramacandra Vijayotsava.
Significance
The Brahmavaivarta Purana, one of the ancient Vedic histories, records Lord Krishna describing this Ekadashi to Maharaja Yudhishthira. The Lord says it destroys all sins, and that one should specially worship Lord Padmanabha on this day. A person who observes it is said to be freed from the miseries of material existence. Srila Prabhupada taught Ekadashi as an essential practice for those who want to advance in Krishna consciousness:
Those interested in advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must observe Ekādaśī-vrata regularly.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.4.29, purport
How to observe it
Srila Prabhupada asked only one thing of the diet: avoid grains and beans. Keep other food simple, and use the day to chant more of the holy names and to hear about Krishna. The fast is broken on Friday, 23 October, between 6:30 AM (sunrise) and 10:14 AM (one third of the daylight) at Kurukshetra.
Questions
When is Pasankusa Ekadashi in 2026?
Pasankusa Ekadashi is on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The fast is broken the next morning, Friday, 23 October.
What time should I break the Ekadashi fast in Kurukshetra?
Break the fast on Friday, 23 October 2026, between 6:30 AM (sunrise) and 10:14 AM (one third of the daylight) IST.
Which Deity is worshipped on Pasankusa Ekadashi?
Lord Padmanabha, a name of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna told Maharaja Yudhishthira that one should specially worship Him on this Ekadashi.
Is Pasankusa Ekadashi the same as Papankusa Ekadashi?
Yes. The Brahmavaivarta Purana account says some people also call this Ekadashi Papankusa Ekadashi.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Fasting day
- Break fast
- · 6:30–10:14 AM
- Fast from
- Grains and beans
- Deity worshipped
- Lord Padmanabha
- Described in
- Brahmavaivarta Purana
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.