Explore the Hindu Vrat Calendar 2026 with important Ekadashi, Pradosh, Sankashti Chaturthi, Purnima, Amavasya, Shivaratri and other fasting dates. Discover the significance of each vrat, associated deities, traditional fasting practices, puja details and Parana guidelines throughout the year.
Vrat and Upavas are important parts of Hindu religious traditions. Devotees observe different fasts throughout the lunar month to express devotion, practise self-discipline and worship their chosen deities. Some fasts are observed weekly, while others follow specific lunar tithis such as Ekadashi, Trayodashi, Chaturthi, Ashtami, Purnima and Amavasya. Use this monthly fasting calendar to find important Hindu fasting dates and understand the customs associated with them.
Find a fasting day by entering its name, selecting a month or choosing a vrat category. Open any card to explore its significance and traditional observance details.
Tip: Search using a vrat name, month, deity or tithi.
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Hindu fasting practices differ according to the vrat, religious tradition, family customs and regional calendar. Some observances involve a complete fast, while others allow fruits, milk and selected fasting foods. Understanding the purpose and customary rituals of each vrat helps devotees observe these occasions with devotion and care.
Ekadashi occurs on the eleventh lunar day of each Paksha and is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotees may observe a Nirjala, strict or Phalahari fast, according to their tradition. Vishnu worship, Tulsi offerings, mantra chanting and Ekadashi Katha are common practices.
Pradosh Vrat is observed on Trayodashi Tithi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees traditionally worship during the evening Pradosh period, offer Bilva leaves and perform Shiva Abhishek.
Sankashti Chaturthi is a monthly fast dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees usually observe the fast during the day and offer prayers, Chandra Arghya and Ganesha Puja after moonrise.
Purnima marks the full-moon Tithi and is associated with worship, Satyanarayan Katha and charity. Amavasya marks the new-moon Tithi and is traditionally associated with prayers for ancestors, Tarpan and charitable activities.
Masik Shivaratri is observed monthly on Krishna Chaturdashi. Devotees worship Lord Shiva, chant Shiva mantras, offer water and Bilva leaves, and may observe night-long prayers.
Kalashtami is associated with Lord Bhairava, while Durga Ashtami is devoted to Goddess Durga. Devotees perform prayers, recite sacred texts and follow the customary fasting practices of their family and regional traditions.
Explore important fasting observances throughout the Gregorian calendar year. Select a month in the interactive calendar above to see the corresponding dates.
The Hindu lunar calendar includes an additional month in 2026, traditionally known as Adhik Maas or Purushottam Maas. This period is especially associated with devotion to Lord Vishnu, prayer, charity, religious reading and spiritual observances. Padmini Ekadashi and Parama Ekadashi are important fasting observances during this additional month. The additional lunar month also means that some Panchang dates and observance conventions need particular attention.
Fasting rules are not identical for every Hindu observance. The following are common traditional practices rather than compulsory rules for every devotee.
Devotees may prepare by choosing a suitable fasting method, keeping puja materials ready and following the customary dietary restrictions from the previous evening.
Depending on the observance, fasting may involve avoiding grains, eating selected fruits and dairy products, consuming traditional fasting foods or observing a stricter fast.
Worship may include a sankalp, deity offerings, flowers, incense, diya, mantra chanting, vrat Katha and prayers according to the relevant religious tradition.
Follow the prescribed Parana or fast-breaking custom. Ekadashi Parana, for example, is observed on Dwadashi according to the local Panchang and its designated time window.
Parana is the traditional completion of a fast. Its timing depends on the vrat, Tithi, sunrise, location and sometimes the specific religious tradition followed. For Ekadashi, the Parana window is generally on Dwadashi after sunrise, after Hari-Vasara and before Dwadashi Tithi ends. Sankashti Chaturthi fasting is commonly completed after moonrise and Chandra Arghya. The cards in this calendar provide customary guidelines, not city-specific clock timings. Always check your local Panchang for the exact Parana time.
Find answers to common questions about Hindu fasting dates, vrat rules, Ekadashi, Pradosh and Parana in 2026.
The Vrat & Fasting Calendar 2026 is a monthly reference for Hindu fasting days and religious observances. It includes important dates such as Ekadashi, Pradosh, Sankashti Chaturthi, Purnima, Amavasya, Shivaratri and other traditional vrats, along with their significance and customary rituals.
The calendar includes the named Ekadashi observances across the year, including Padmini and Parama Ekadashi during Adhik Maas. Some traditions also observe separate Gauna or Vaishnava dates. The precise observance count and date convention should be checked against the Panchang and Sampradaya followed.
Ekadashi fast-breaking is called Parana and is generally performed on the following Dwadashi Tithi after sunrise. The traditional window also considers the end of Hari-Vasara and the end of Dwadashi. Exact Parana timings differ by location, so consult a local Panchang.
Not always. Hindu observances depend on lunar Tithis, sunrise, local time and the convention followed by different communities. Some dates may differ between cities or between Smarta and Vaishnava traditions. Use a location-specific Panchang for important observances.
Common Phalahari foods include fruits, milk, curd, nuts, makhana, sabudana, potatoes and preparations using fasting flours. Some Ekadashi traditions avoid grains and pulses. Permitted foods vary between observances, communities and family customs.
Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh lunar Tithi and is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Pradosh Vrat is observed on Trayodashi, the thirteenth lunar Tithi, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Their fasting customs and puja periods are different.
Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Devotees traditionally worship Ganesha and offer Chandra Arghya after moonrise before completing the fast, following the local observance.
Adhik Jyeshtha Maas in this calendar period runs from 17 May to 15 June 2026. Padmini Ekadashi and Parama Ekadashi are important observances associated with this additional lunar month.
Explore more calendar information and useful religious resources to plan your upcoming festivals and observances.
Explore daily Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana, sunrise, sunset and other important Panchang details.
Explore Today's Panchang →Dates displayed are intended as a general India-based reference for 2026. Hindu vrat and festival observances are based on lunar Tithis and can vary with geographical location, sunrise calculations, regional Panchang conventions and religious traditions. Some observances may have separate Smarta, Vaishnava or regional dates. Exact Tithi timings, moonrise, puja Muhurat and Parana windows should be checked using a location-specific Panchang. Fasting is a personal religious practice; strict fasting, including waterless fasting, may not be suitable for everyone.