Sawan Ekadashi 2026, also known as Shravana Putrada Ekadashi or Pavitra Ekadashi, is causing confusion among devotees as the Ekadashi tithi begins on August 23 and continues into the early hours of August 24.
According to multiple Panchang-based sources, the vrat will be observed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, while the fast will be broken on Monday, August 24 during the prescribed Parana period.
The confusion over August 23 and 24 is mainly due to the timing of the lunar tithi. The Ekadashi Tithi is expected to begin around 2:00 AM on August 23 and end at around 4:18 AM on August 24. Because Ekadashi is present at sunrise on August 23, the traditional observance date for the vrat is August 23. Drik Panchang and other Panchang references similarly list August 23 as the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi fasting date.
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Sawan Putrada Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and falls during the Shukla Paksha of the Shravan month. The word Putrada is associated with the blessing of children and we pray for family health and prosperity and the welfare of children during the vrat. It also falls in the sacred Chaturmas period which is a very special occasion for devotees who follow Vaishnavism.
Sawan Ekadashi 2026 Date and Tithi
The main vrat date is Sunday, August 23, 2026. The Ekadashi Tithi starts around 2:00 AM (August 23) and ends around 4:18 AM (August 24). In view of the fact that the tithi is in place at sunrise on August 23, devotees following the Smarta observance will keep the Ekadashi fast on August 23.
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There can be differences between calendars followed by different traditions. For example, the ISKCON calendar lists Pavitropana Ekadashi with a fasting date on August 24 and Parana on August 25, which is the Vaishnava way of calculating the observance.
So devotees who follow a Vaishnava or ISKCON calendar should follow the calendar that is based on their tradition and not the timings from other systems.
Sawan Ekadashi 2026 Parana Time
For the popular August 23 vrat, Parana, or the breaking of the fast, will take place on August 24. The Parana window is about 1:41 PM to 4:16 PM according to Panchang calculations but the exact timing varies based on the location. The Parana window is approximately 1:44 PM to 4:13 PM according to Drik Panchang for Belur, Karnataka. The faithful should check a specific Panchang for this specific time.
The Hari Vasara period is also significant for determining the appropriate time to break an Ekadashi fast. For August 24, 2026, the Hari Vasara end is listed at around 10:49 AM, after which the Parana window begins later in the day according to the relevant Panchang calculations.
Sawan Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
The devotees generally start the day by waking up early, bathing and wearing clean clothes. The puja area can be cleaned before offering an image or idol of Lord Vishnu. Devotees can then take a Sankalp or resolve to keep the fast with dedication. A diya can be lit and offerings like yellow flowers, Tulsi leaves, fruits, sandalwood and incense can be made according to family and/or local tradition.
During puja, devotees can chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and recite or listen to the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Vrat Katha. Vishnu Sahasranama can also be recited by those who traditionally follow it. Evening worship can include Vishnu Aarti, bhajans, meditation and prayer. Some devotees also keep a night vigil as part of their religious practice.
Fasting practices vary from person to person and according to family tradition. Some eat only permitted foods, while others consume fruits and milk. Traditionally, Ekadashi followers do not eat grains and pulses and are known to follow specific prescribed prayers. If anyone is going on a fast, they should do so based on their health and follow the proper protocol rather than undertaking a physically difficult fast.
The spiritual significance of Sawan Putrada Ekadashi is closely connected with devotion to Lord Vishnu, prayer and charity. Traditional accounts refer to King Mahijit and his story in the Ekadashi vrat tradition. The broader message of the observance centres on devotion, repentance, charity and faith.
So for most devotees who are asked if Sawan Ekadashi 2026 falls on August 23 or 24, the answer is August 23 for the vrat, with Parana on August 24. The difference arises because the Ekadashi Tithi extends across both dates. However, devotees who follow a specific Vaishnava tradition should consult their own calendar because the observance date can differ under that calculation.
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