Ekadashi in March 2026: Don’t Break Your Fast Before These Parana Timings

Planning to keep Ekadashi fast in March 2026? Don’t break your Ekadashi fast at the wrong time! See the correct Parana timings for March 2026 Ekadashi.

Ekadashi holds a sacred place in Sanatan Dharma. Devotees will commune together March 2026 to participate in Papamochani and Kamada Ekadashis, which are respectively the names given to the two sacred fasts held each year, which commemorate passages to Lord Vishnu. These days of Vrat are thought by most devotees to cleanse one's Karmas; removing sins; etc., if performed according to proper Vrat times and with absolute devotion in mind, body, and spirit.

Ekadashi: A Sacred Day Dedicated to Lord Vishnu

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Ekadashi occurs on the 11th day of each lunar month (i.e., tithi), both Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. Ekadashi days are amongst the most important devotional days for devotees who pay homage to Lord Vishnu (i.e., the Preserver).

According to many ancient shastric teachings, fasting on Ekadashi serves as a virtual cleansing agent (i.e. it cleanses both mind & body). Most of the many sages and gurus who wrote about Ekadashi fasting teach that the act of fasting on Ekadashi allows the devotee to permanently tame the five senses, thus directing the devotee's entire concentration toward their devotion to God.

The importance of observing or keeping Ekadashi is very clearly defined in the Padma Purana in the following verse:

 एकादशी व्रतं नाम सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्।

 उपवासेन यत्पुण्यं न तत् क्रतुशतैरपि॥

“The sacred Ekadashi fast destroys all sins. The merit gained through fasting on Ekadashi cannot be achieved even through hundreds of rituals.”

This is why many spiritual seekers and followers of Sanatan Dharma observe Ekadashi with great faith. Devotees of Sanatangyan and other spiritual organizations will tell you that the Vrat is intended for the purpose of following one's Dharma and attaining Inner Purification.

Ekadashi Dates in March 2026

Just like every other month, March 2026 will have two Ekadashi fasts—one in Krishna Paksha and one in Shukla Paksha.

Papamochani Ekadashi

• Date: March 15, 2026

• Day: Sunday

• Paksha: Krishna Paksha

• Tithi Begins: 08:10 AM, March 14

• Tithi Ends: 09:16 AM, March 15

Kamada Ekadashi

• Date: March 29, 2026

• Day: Sunday

• Paksha: Shukla Paksha

• Tithi Begins: 08:45 AM, March 28

• Tithi Ends: 07:46 AM, March 29

Timings for Parana (breaking the fast) are very important because Parana should take place at precisely the appropriate time for the next day.

Papamochani Ekadashi: The Fast That Removes Sins

The word Papamochani comes from two Sanskrit words:

• Pap – sin

• Mochani – removal or liberation

Papamochani Ekadashi is believed to release an individual from all his past and present negative karma.

According to ancient scriptures, devotees are required to arise early in the morning, take a holy bath, say prayers to Lord Vishnu, and begin their day-long fast.

Common rituals include:

• Observing a full-day fast

• Chanting Vishnu mantras

• Singing bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu

• Listening to Bhagavad Gita discourses

• Visiting temples or attending satsang

Many Sadhu and spiritual gurus state that chanting on Ekadashi creates a protective spiritual force around the devotee.

Another verse praising devotion to Lord Vishnu says:

विष्णोः स्मरणमात्रेण पापं नश्यति तत्क्षणात्।

“By merely remembering Lord Vishnu, sins are destroyed instantly.”

This belief motivates countless numbers of people to observe Ekadashi sincerely and with faith; thus, spiritual organizations (such as Sanatangyan) provide information about the authentic aspects of observing these types of traditions.

Kamada Ekadashi: The Vrat That Fulfills Wishes

Kamada Ekadashi is associated with the granting of desires and the removal of negative karmic influences. It is believed that if a devotee observes this fast honestly, that individual will receive peace, prosperity, and spiritual advancement.

This Ekadashi is the beginning of the new year or the start of a new spiritual journey for many devotees.

Common reasons devotees observe Kamada Ekadashi include:

• Seeking fulfillment of heartfelt wishes

• Clearing accumulated karmic burdens

• Receiving blessings for happiness and success

• Beginning life with renewed positive energy

• Moving closer to spiritual liberation

Spiritual teachers guide practitioners through Sanatangyan to help them understand the importance of Kamada Ekadashi, which is not about things but about becoming more spiritually advanced.

Important Ekadashi Fasting Rituals

Performing Ekadashi fasting according to the proper rituals will enhance the spiritual benefits one receives from fasting on Ekadashi.

Common Ekadashi practices include:

• Taking a vow (sankalp) for fasting in the morning

• Worshipping Lord Vishnu with flowers, tulsi leaves, and lamps

• Chanting Vishnu mantras and singing bhajans

• Reading sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita

• Practicing charity and kindness

• Observing Parana at the correct Dwadashi time

Sadhus advise that pure thoughts, speech, and actions are the only real reasons for celebrating Ekadashi and that abstaining from food is secondary.

Why Parana Timing Matters

The act of breaking fast the next day (Dwadashi) is called Parana; Parana is an integral aspect of the Ekadashi vrat.

According to shashtra:

Breaking the fast too early can make the vrat incomplete.

Breaking it too late may also reduce the spiritual merit.

This is the reason why the traditional Panchang and other Gurus will always include the times for Parana in a precise manner.

When devotees observe the Parana time in accordance with Sanatangyan, they will receive the complete blessings of Lord Vishnu, and their fast will therefore be in accordance with the Sacred guidelines of Sanatangyan.

Ekadashi in March 2026 offers a sacred opportunity to purify the mind, remove past karma, and deepen devotion to Lord Vishnu. When devotees perform a fast with devotion, and observe the exact time of Parana, they will receive the total amount of spiritual benefit as specified in the Shastra, and will also receive their reward for their efforts from the Wisdom of Sanatangyan.