Vijaya Ekadashi 2026: Date and Parana Time

When Is Vijaya Ekadashi In 2026 And When To Break The Fast

Vijaya Ekadashi is regarded as a powerful observance for those who seek success, removal of obstacles and inner steadiness. This Ekadashi is linked not only with release from sin but also with the strength to walk the path of victory in a dharmic way.

In the year 2026, Vijaya Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Phalguna month. According to the Panchang, its date and the timing for breaking the fast are as follows.

Detail	Time and Date
Vijaya Ekadashi date	13 February 2026, Friday
Parana date	14 February 2026, Saturday
Parana time	07:00:50 am to 09:14:43 am
Parana duration	About 2 hours 13 minutes

The main fasting is observed on 13 February and the Parana is performed on the morning of 14 February within the specified window. In Ekadashi practice, observing the correct Parana time is very important, as it marks the completion and fullness of the vrat.

Religious And Spiritual Importance Of Vijaya Ekadashi

Within Hindu tradition, Vijaya Ekadashi is considered an ancient and highly meritorious observance. The very name “Vijaya” suggests that it supports victory and right accomplishment.

• It is believed that devotees who observe this fast properly receive success, prosperity and inner courage
• The vrat is associated with removal of obstacles and gradual easing of repeatedly blocked efforts
• Fasting on Vijaya Ekadashi is said to reduce the weight of sinful actions from past lives and to support a more dharmic direction
• As described in Padma Purana, Lord Mahadeva Himself is said to have instructed Narada about the greatness of this Ekadashi and praised its results

Another important belief is that one who observes this vrat with sincerity also helps ancestors to move out of lower states of suffering and progress towards higher realms, while the devotee finds firmer footing in the path of righteousness.

What Does The Legend Of Vijaya Ekadashi Teach

The legend of Vijaya Ekadashi is connected with events from Treta Yuga and touches on a key moment in the life of Lord Rama.

According to the story, when Lord Rama reached the seashore on the way to Lanka, He requested the Lord of the ocean to grant a passage for Himself and His army. The Sea Lord did not respond favourably at first and remained unmoved. Rama then sought guidance from Sage Vakdalabhya. The sage advised Him to observe the fast of Vijaya Ekadashi.

Lord Rama kept the Vijaya Ekadashi fast with full faith and followed the rituals with care. Pleased by this devotion, the Sea Lord agreed to provide a way to Lanka. In this manner, the observance of Vijaya Ekadashi became one of the factors that prepared the ground for victory over Ravana. From that time this date has been known as Vijaya Ekadashi.

The legend reminds devotees that when a person takes refuge in the Divine with patience, discipline and sincere effort, even seemingly immovable obstacles can begin to shift.

Benefits Associated With The Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat

Vijaya Ekadashi yields its deepest fruits when it is approached as a sincere sadhana rather than only a means to obtain results.

• Devotees pray for success, prosperity and accomplishment in their efforts through this vrat
• Repeatedly failing tasks are believed to find better support and clearer direction over time
• The fast is connected with the reduction of sinful impressions and with the upliftment of the mind towards sattva
• Those carrying a sense of ancestral debt also pray on this day for peace and progress of their Pitris
• Amid obstacles and confusion, this fast can become an occasion to strengthen self confidence and inner steadiness

The inner message of Vijaya Ekadashi is to seek victory not only over outer difficulties but also over inner weakness and doubt.

How To Observe The Vijaya Ekadashi Fast And Puja

The rituals of Vijaya Ekadashi have been described in detail so that each step may be carried out with awareness. Both the preparation before the fast and the observance on the day itself are important.

Preparations On The Day Before The Fast

On the day before Vijaya Ekadashi, the devotee is advised to keep the body and mind as light and pure as possible.

• Eat simple, sattvik and purely vegetarian food
• Avoid heavy, oily and tamasic items as far as possible
• Observe celibacy and maintain gentle conduct
• Go to sleep with a quiet remembrance of the coming fast and a clear inner resolve

These preparations help the mind and body to settle into the spirit of the vrat.

Main Puja Method On Vijaya Ekadashi

On the day of Ekadashi, a series of symbolic steps are followed in worship.

• After a morning bath, wear clean clothes and formally take the vow of fasting
• Prepare a small vedi or sacred enclosure and place seven kinds of grains within it
• Place a vessel or kalash made of gold, silver, copper or clay in the vedi
• Establish an image or idol of Lord Vishnu on the Panch Pallav vase or kalash
• Worship Shri Hari with incense, sandal paste, lamp, flowers, fruits and tulsi leaves
• Along with fasting, listen to or recite the story of Vijaya Ekadashi and related katha
• At night, try to remain awake in jagrata, singing the name of the Lord and performing worship

The grains, vessels and kalash within the vedi symbolise stability, nourishment and protection and are offered as part of a prayer for the wellbeing of the devotee and family.

Parana And Charity On Dwadashi

The vrat reaches completion on Dwadashi with Parana and charity.

• Bathe in the morning within the Parana time and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu
• Feed brahmins or a worthy guest and then give the vessel or kalash and other items in charity as per capacity
• After this, break the fast with light, sattvik food and accept it as prasad

Through feeding, giving and then eating mindfully, the vrat is brought to a balanced close.

Points To Remember While Observing Vijaya Ekadashi

To preserve the subtle strength of the Vijaya Ekadashi fast, some guidelines are helpful.

• Avoid lying, harsh speech and unnecessary arguments during the vrat
• Refrain from consciously hurting or insulting others, as this affects the inner quality of the observance
• Place more attention on japa, reflection and quiet worship than on food related concerns
• If full fasting is not possible, one may follow a fruit fast or a single light sattvik meal but should keep the inner resolve firm

The aim is not to punish the body but to gently discipline the mind and turn it towards the Lord.

Making Vijaya Ekadashi 2026 A Step Towards True Victory

Vijaya Ekadashi 2026 can be treated as an invitation to begin a new chapter with more clarity.

• It can be helpful to identify one major fear or obstruction in life, place it honestly before God and resolve to work on it step by step
• For work that has been repeatedly delayed or blocked, this day can be used both for prayer and for quiet re planning
• Letting go of stale guilt and choosing a more truthful and responsible way forward also reflects the inner spirit of this Ekadashi

When changes in thought and conduct accompany the fasting and worship, Vijaya Ekadashi begins to open the way for deeper forms of victory.

Common Questions

When is Vijaya Ekadashi in 2026 and when should the fast be broken
In 2026, Vijaya Ekadashi is observed on Friday, 13 February. The fast is to be broken on Dwadashi, Saturday, 14 February, between 07:00:50 am and 09:14:43 am.

What fruits are traditionally associated with the Vijaya Ekadashi fast
This fast is associated with success and prosperity in undertakings, reduction of sins from previous lives, help for ancestors to move out of lower realms and firmer progress on the path of righteousness. It is praised in Padma Purana as a vrat of great merit.

What is the main puja method for Vijaya Ekadashi
On this Ekadashi, one creates a vedi with seven types of grains, places a gold, silver, copper or clay vessel within it, installs Lord Vishnu on a Panch Pallav kalash and worships with incense, sandalwood, lamp, flowers, fruits and tulsi. The devotee fasts, listens to the katha, keeps night vigil and on Dwadashi feeds brahmins, donates the vessel and then performs Parana.

Why is the story of Lord Rama and the Sea Lord central to this Ekadashi
In Treta Yuga, Lord Rama wished to cross the ocean to reach Lanka but the Sea Lord did not grant a path at first. On the advice of Sage Vakdalabhya, Rama observed the Vijaya Ekadashi fast, which pleased the Sea Lord, led to the opening of the route and became one of the steps towards victory over Ravana. Hence this Ekadashi is linked with victory and named Vijaya.

What should a devotee be careful about while keeping the Vijaya Ekadashi fast
The devotee should eat only pure vegetarian sattvik food before the fast, observe celibacy, avoid anger, lies and unnecessary conflict, focus on worship and chanting on the fasting day and perform Parana on Dwadashi within the proper time. These disciplines help preserve the spiritual strength of the vrat.