AstrologgerEkadashi in May 2025
There are 2 Ekadashi in May 2025. The dates and timings below are computed for New Delhi.
May 2025 has two Ekadashi: Mohini Ekadashi on Thursday, 8 May (Shukla paksha), and Apara Ekadashi on Friday, 23 May (Krishna paksha).
| Date | Day | Name | Paksha / Month | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends | Parana (fast-breaking) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May 2025 | Thu | Mohini Ekadashi | Shukla · Vaishakha | 7 May, 10:20 AM | 8 May, 12:29 PM | 9 May, 5:35 AM–9 May, 8:16 AM |
| 23 May 2025 | Fri | Apara Ekadashi | Krishna · Vaishakha | 23 May, 1:12 AM | 23 May, 10:30 PM | 24 May, 5:27 AM–24 May, 8:12 AM |
All dates & times computed for New Delhi (IST) with the Swiss Ephemeris + Lahiri ayanamsa — not copied.
Ekadashi timings in May 2025
When each tithi begins, when it ends, and how long it actually runs — computed for Delhi (IST).
| Date | Day | Paksha | Lunar month | Tithi begins | Tithi ends | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | Thursday | Shukla | Vaishakha | 7 May, 10:20 AM | 8 May, 12:29 PM | 26 hours 9 minutes |
| 23 May | Friday | Krishna | Vaishakha | 23 May, 1:12 AM | 23 May, 10:30 PM | 21 hours 18 minutes |
Each Ekadashi this month
Mohini Ekadashi — Thursday 8 May, in the Shukla paksha of Vaishakha. The tithi runs 26 hours 9 minutes, from 7 May, 10:20 AM. Parana falls between 9 May, 5:35 AM and 9 May, 8:16 AM — a 161-minute window.
Apara Ekadashi — Friday 23 May, in the Krishna paksha of Vaishakha. The tithi runs 21 hours 18 minutes, from 23 May, 1:12 AM. Parana falls between 24 May, 5:27 AM and 24 May, 8:12 AM — a 165-minute window.
How May compares
Across 2025, a Ekadashi tithi averages 23 hours 41 minutes. In May it averages 23 hours 44 minutes — about typical for the year.
Over the year the figure ranges from 23 hours 13 minutes in December to 24 hours 4 minutes in November. The spread exists because the Moon does not move at a constant rate, so a tithi is not a fixed length — which is why the vrat date shifts against the English calendar from month to month.
There are 25 Ekadashi in 2025, of which 2 fall in May.
Every other vrat in May 2025
The other observances falling in the same month, in calendar order.
| Vrat | Dates | Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Skanda Sashti | 2 May (Skanda Sashti (Vaishakha)) | View |
| Bhanu Saptami | 4 May (Bhanu Saptami) | View |
| Masik Durgashtami | 5 May (Masik Durgashtami (Vaishakha)) | View |
| Pradosh Vrat | 9 May (Shukra Pradosh) · 24 May (Shani Pradosh) | View |
| Purnima | 12 May (Buddha Purnima) | View |
| Sankashti Chaturthi | 16 May (Ekadanta Sankashti) | View |
| Kalashtami | 20 May (Kalashtami (Jyeshtha)) | View |
| Masik Shivratri | 26 May (Masik Shivratri (Jyeshtha)) | View |
| Masik Karthigai | 26 May (Masik Karthigai (Jyeshtha)) | View |
| Amavasya | 27 May (Bhaumvati Amavasya) | View |
| Vinayaka Chaturthi | 30 May (Vinayaka Chaturthi (Jyeshtha)) | View |
What is Ekadashi?
Ekadashi is the 11th tithi (lunar day) of both the waxing (Shukla) and waning (Krishna) fortnight, so it recurs roughly twice each lunar month — about 24 to 26 times a year. It is the foremost Vaishnava fast, dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu (Hari). Devotees observe it as a day of devotion, restraint and remembrance of the Lord, and each Ekadashi carries its own name and traditional story.
The parana — when to break the fast
The Ekadashi fast is not broken on Ekadashi itself but on the next day, Dwadashi (the 12th tithi), during a window called parana. By tradition the parana is done in the first part of Dwadashi after sunrise, and one avoids breaking the fast during Hari Vasara (the early part of Dwadashi). Observing the parana at the proper time is considered part of completing the vrat correctly.
What you can and cannot eat on Ekadashi
Traditionally, grains are avoided on Ekadashi — rice, wheat, lentils and beans in particular — following the belief that sin is said to reside in grain on this day. Many keep a phalahar diet of fruit, milk, nuts and permitted roots, while some observe a full waterless fast. The custom is followed as tradition and personal devotion, adapted to one's health and capacity.
How to observe Ekadashi (vrat vidhi)
The day is kept with a fast, a bath, and puja of Lord Vishnu offering tulsi leaves, which are considered dear to him. Devotees read or hear the katha of that particular Ekadashi, chant Vishnu's names, and give charity. On some Ekadashis a night-long jagran (staying awake) is kept. The fast is then broken during parana on Dwadashi the following morning.
Significance and the special Ekadashis
Ekadashi is traditionally linked with inner purification, the removal of past wrongs, and the path toward moksha (liberation). Several Ekadashis are especially revered: Nirjala Ekadashi (Jyeshtha Shukla), kept without even water, is the strictest and is said to grant the merit of all the year's Ekadashis; Devshayani and Prabodhini (Dev Uthani) mark Vishnu's cosmic sleep and awakening; and Mokshada is honoured for its association with liberation.
The origin of Ekadashi — the katha
The tradition tells that a mighty demon named Mura once terrorised the gods and drove them from the heavens. Lord Vishnu battled Mura for a very long time and, needing rest, withdrew to a cave in Badarikashrama and fell asleep. When Mura crept forward to slay the sleeping Lord, a radiant female power emerged from Vishnu's own body and destroyed the demon. Pleased with her, Vishnu named her "Ekadashi" — she who was born on the eleventh tithi — and granted her the boon that whoever fasts and worships on Ekadashi would be freed from their sins and helped toward moksha. This is why Ekadashi is kept as a fast devoted to Vishnu. Each individual Ekadashi — Nirjala, Putrada, Mokshada and the rest — also carries its own separate katha.
Ekadashi Puja Samagri
Gather these items before beginning the Ekadashi vrat and puja:
- An idol or image of Lord Vishnu (or Krishna)
- Tulsi (holy basil) leaves
- Yellow flowers
- Yellow cloth or garment
- Panchamrit
- Seasonal fruits
- A ghee lamp
- Incense (dhoop)
- Sandalwood (chandan)
- Akshat (rice)
- A coconut
Frequently asked questions
How many Ekadashi are there in 2025?+
There are 25 Ekadashi fasting days in 2025 for the Delhi region — two in most lunar months (Shukla and Krishna paksha). A leap (Adhika) month, when present, adds extra Ekadashis such as Padmini and Parama.
What is the parana time?+
Parana is the fast-breaking, done on the next morning (Dwadashi) after sunrise, within the first fifth of the day and before Dwadashi ends — and never during Hari Vasara. Each date below shows its exact parana window.
Which is the most important Ekadashi?+
Nirjala Ekadashi (kept without even water) and Devshayani & Prabodhini (which open and close Chaturmas) are considered the most significant, but every Ekadashi carries its own merit.
What can you eat during Ekadashi vrat?+
Observers traditionally avoid grains (rice, wheat) and pulses/beans. Common permitted foods are fruit, milk and dairy, potato and other roots, sabudana (tapioca), nuts, and sendha namak (rock salt). The strictness is a personal choice — from nirjala (no water) to a single fruit meal.
Can you drink water on Ekadashi?+
On a normal Ekadashi water is allowed. Only Nirjala Ekadashi (in Jyeshtha) is traditionally kept without even water. Most people keep a phalahar (fruit) or partial fast and stay hydrated.
Why do some calendars show Ekadashi on two days?+
When the tithi touches two sunrises, smarta (householder) and vaishnava traditions can observe on different days — vaishnavas typically take the second. Our table gives the primary vrat day per the tithi rule; ask an astrologer if your sampradaya follows the other.
Are these dates accurate for my city?+
The dates and timings are computed for New Delhi with the Swiss Ephemeris and Lahiri ayanamsa. Sunrise-dependent timings shift slightly by city; confirm your local panchang for exact minutes.
Ask our AI astrologer — free — about the vrat, favourable timing and remedies, grounded in your own birth chart.