Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026: Date, Shravana Nakshatra, Fasting Method and Spiritual Benefits

In the path of devotion Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026 is regarded as a day when the seeker turns to the intense yet compassionate Narasimha form of Lord Vishnu for protection from fear, obstacles and adverse forces. This Dwadashi Tithi is considered especially helpful for those who wish to deepen courage, faith and a sense of divine shelter.

In 2026 the fast of Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi will be observed on Sunday, 15 March 2026. The Dwadashi Tithi will begin on 15 March 2026 at 09:16 AM and will end on 16 March 2026 at 09:40 AM. Shravana Nakshatra will run from 15 March at 04:49 AM to 16 March at 05:56 AM, which enhances the spiritual strength of this observance. For breaking the fast the most suitable time on the next day will be 16 March between 05:56 AM and 08:09 AM, while Dwadashi will continue until 09:40 AM and Shravana will end exactly at 05:56 AM.

Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026: date, Parana time and Shravana Nakshatra

Knowing the span of Dwadashi Tithi and the duration of Shravana Nakshatra helps devotees complete the fast and Parana in line with traditional guidance.

Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026: Tithi, Dwadashi and Parana

Detail	Date and time
Festival	Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026
Fast date	Sunday, 15 March 2026
Dwadashi begins	15 March 2026, 09:16 AM
Dwadashi ends	16 March 2026, 09:40 AM
Shravana Nakshatra begins	15 March 2026, 04:49 AM
Shravana Nakshatra ends	16 March 2026, 05:56 AM
Dwadashi Parana time	16 March 2026, 05:56 AM to 08:09 AM
Dwadashi end on Parana day	16 March 2026, 09:40 AM
Shravana ending moment on Parana day	16 March 2026, 05:56 AM

Thus for the devotee 15 March is the main day of Narasimha worship and fasting and the morning of 16 March is the rightly aligned period for breaking the fast.

What is Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi

Link between Phalguna Shukla and Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi

According to the Hindu calendar Narasimha Dwadashi is celebrated on Phalguna Shukla Dwadashi. About fifteen days after that, during the Krishna Paksha, comes another Dwadashi which is known as Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi.

On Phalguna Shukla Dwadashi

• devotees remember the Narasimha pastime,
• the fall of the demon Hiranyakashipu,
• and the fearless devotion of Prahlada.

Roughly fifteen days later, when the Moon moves through the waning phase, Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi arrives. The day reminds the seeker that

• just as light grows in the bright fortnight,
• in the dark fortnight also inner light can grow if one takes shelter of Narasimha and transforms inner darkness through patience and faith.

The spirit of worshipping Lord Narasimha

On this day devotees offer special worship to Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha.

The Puranic narrative tells that

• the demon king Hiranyakashipu reached extremes of arrogance and cruelty,
• his son Prahlada remained a devotee of Vishnu even as a child and refused to accept the demonic ways of his father,
• to protect the vow given to Hiranyakashipu and yet save Prahlada, Lord Vishnu appeared in a form that was neither man nor animal and neither bound by day nor night, the form of Narasimha,
• and destroyed Hiranyakashipu.

The teaching is that

• when all worldly supports seem to fail,
• and when injustice appears too strong,

divine protection still finds a way to reach the sincere devotee.

Spiritual importance of Krishna Narasimha Vrat

Blessings of fearlessness and strength

It is believed that worship of Lord Narasimha

• helps the devotee overcome fear, inner agitation and heavy negative thoughts,
• and awakens courage, strength and self confidence.

Narasimha is especially regarded as a protector for those who

• walk on the path of justice,
• suffer under unjust conditions,
• yet wish to remain truthful and dharmic in family or professional life.

Tradition holds that

• those who keep the Dwadashi fast with Narasimha worship and remembrance of the Lord
  gradually feel hidden fears loosening their grip.

Movement towards freedom from birth and death

Dwadashi Tithi itself is devoted to Lord Vishnu. In many scriptural explanations it is stated that

• fasting and worship on Dwadashi,
• along with sincere remembrance of Hari,

support the soul’s progress towards freedom from the cycle of birth and death and help the devotee to attain auspicious destinations in future lives.

On Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi

• when the focus is on Narasimha as a form of Vishnu,
  this feeling becomes stronger that
• the Lord not only protects from outer danger,
• but also opens a path of inner purification and upliftment.

How to observe the Krishna Narasimha Vrat

Preparations and disciplines

The method for Krishna Narasimha Vrat

• is generally understood to be similar to the procedure followed for Narasimha Dwadashi on Phalguna Shukla Dwadashi.

As a general guideline

• the devotee begins preparation one day earlier by
  • preferring sattvic food,
  • guarding speech,
  • avoiding negative habits.

On the Dwadashi day

• one bathes early and wears clean, peaceful clothing,
• then takes the vow of the fast with focused remembrance of Lord Narasimha.

Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026: suggested Puja and fast sequence

Step	What can be done
Step 1	Bathe in the morning, wear clean clothes and take the Narasimha vow
Step 2	Prepare a clean altar and install an image or form of Lord Narasimha
Step 3	Offer incense, lamp, Akshata, sandal paste, flowers and tulasi
Step 4	Chant Narasimha stotra, Vishnu Sahasranama or the names of Hari
Step 5	Observe a fast or light fruit diet and avoid anger and indulgence
Step 6	In the evening again perform Arati and prayers
Step 7	On the next morning break the fast within the Parana time with sattvic food

In some families

• devotees begin fasting from Ekadashi itself
  and then complete the observance by breaking the fast on Dwadashi morning.

The main emphasis throughout

• is on nonviolence,
• truthful conduct,
• and purity in thought, speech and action.

When and how should Parana be done

Dwadashi Parana in 2026

For Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026

• the Parana time is on 16 March from 05:56 AM to 08:09 AM.
• On the same day Dwadashi ends at 09:40 AM.
• Shravana Nakshatra ends at 05:56 AM, which coincides with the opening of the Parana window.

Those who wish to follow the vrata in a traditional way

• are advised to complete their fast and take food within this interval.

A simple way to perform Parana

At the time of Parana

• devotees can first offer water, tulasi and simple sattvic food to Lord Narasimha,
• then sit peacefully with family and accept the Prasad and meal.

If possible

• spending a little time in chanting or quiet prayer before eating
  helps close the fast in a more inward and grateful mood.

Inner guidance from Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026

Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026

• is not only a calendar date or a fast,
  but also an invitation to choose
• faith instead of fear,
• patience instead of anger,
• and dharma instead of inner harshness.

The story of Hiranyakashipu and Prahlada shows that

• no matter how harsh outer situations may appear,
• if the heart remains steady in devotion to Vishnu,

then truth and devotion finally prevail.

A devotee who spends Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi 2026 with

• disciplined fasting,
• Narasimha prayers,
• and honest self reflection on personal fears and weaknesses,

may carry this day as a lasting reminder of courage, protection and spiritual progress.

Common questions

When is Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi in 2026 and what is the timing of Dwadashi Tithi
Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi in 2026 will be observed on Sunday, 15 March 2026. Dwadashi will begin at 09:16 AM on 15 March and will end at 09:40 AM on 16 March, so the fast is kept on 15 March and broken on the morning of 16 March.

What is the correct Parana time and how does Shravana Nakshatra matter
The Parana time is 16 March 2026 from 05:56 AM to 08:09 AM. Shravana Nakshatra runs from 04:49 AM on 15 March to 05:56 AM on 16 March and its ending moment coincides with the opening of the Parana window, which supports an auspicious completion of the fast.

Why is Krishna Narasimha Dwadashi in Krishna Paksha considered special
This Dwadashi follows about fifteen days after the Narasimha Dwadashi of the bright fortnight. As the Moon wanes, the devotee offers inner fears, pride and negativity at the feet of Narasimha and resolves to transform them, making the Krishna Paksha observance especially meaningful.

What benefits are associated with worship of Lord Narasimha on this day
Worship of Narasimha is said to increase fearlessness, strength and self trust. Observing the Dwadashi fast with remembrance of Vishnu is described in tradition as a support for progress towards freedom from the cycle of birth and death and for attaining auspicious spiritual destinations.

How does the Krishna Narasimha Vrat method relate to the Phalguna Shukla Narasimha Dwadashi
The method for Krishna Narasimha Vrat is essentially the same as for Narasimha Dwadashi on Phalguna Shukla Dwadashi. On both occasions devotees

• bathe and wear clean clothes,
• fast with Narasimha worship and recitation of stotras,
• and complete the vow with a properly timed Parana the next morning,

with the difference only in the fortnight and calendar placement.