Varuthini Ekadashi
Fasting day
From grains and beans, from sunrise
Break the fast ·
5:38 – 10:06 AM
Break the fast after sunrise and before a third of the day has passed.
What is Varuthini Ekadashi?
Lord Krishna told Maharaja Yudhishthira that Varuthini Ekadashi is the most auspicious Ekadashi of Vaisakha. It comes in the dark fortnight of that month, which spans April and May. In 2027 devotees observe the fast on Sunday, 2 May.
Significance
When Yudhishthira asked about this Ekadashi, Krishna answered that it removes sins and protects one from being born again and again. He told how King Mandhata was liberated by it, and how Maharaja Dhundhumara was freed from the leprosy brought on by Lord Shiva's curse. The merit of the fast is likened to giving gold in charity at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse. Srila Prabhupada explains why devotees keep every Ekadashi:
To observe Ekādaśī-vrata and Dvādaśī-vrata means to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those interested in advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must observe Ekādaśī-vrata regularly.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.4.29, purport
How to observe it
Devotees spend the day without grains and beans, and the narration adds further cautions: no gambling, no sleeping during the day, and no anger, lying or fault-finding. Lord Krishna also praises staying awake all night to worship Lord Janardana, so devotees may pass the night in kirtana and hearing. At Kurukshetra the fast is broken on Monday, 3 May, between 5:38 AM and 10:06 AM.
Questions
When is Varuthini Ekadashi in 2027?
Varuthini Ekadashi is on Sunday, 2 May 2027, in the dark fortnight of the month of Vaisakha.
What time should I break the Varuthini Ekadashi fast in Kurukshetra?
Break the fast on Monday, 3 May 2027, between 5:38 AM (sunrise) and 10:06 AM (one third of the daylight) at Kurukshetra.
What is the story of Varuthini Ekadashi?
Maharaja Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna about this Ekadashi. Krishna explained that it removes sins and frees one from rebirth, and that King Mandhata was liberated by keeping it.
What should be avoided on Varuthini Ekadashi?
Avoid grains and beans. The narration also asks devotees to give up gambling, daytime sleep, anger, lying and fault-finding on this day.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Fasting day
- Break fast
- · 5:38–10:06 AM
- Fast from
- Grains and beans
- Told to
- Maharaja Yudhishthira
- Fortnight
- Dark fortnight of Vaisakha
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.