…somewhere between winter still refusing to leave and spring quietly rehearsing in the background, February arrives. Mornings soften a little. Evenings stretch. And if you live in a household where faith quietly sets the rhythm, someone eventually looks up from the calendar and says, almost absent-mindedly, “Is there Ekadashi this month?”
Of course there is.
Ekadashi February 2026 doesn’t announce itself loudly. It doesn’t demand attention the way festivals do. It simply shows up, twice, steady and patient, asking for discipline, awareness, and a little restraint. From the flow that began with Paush-Putrada and Jaya Ekadashi in January, February carries the practice forward through Vijaya Ekadashi and Amalaki Ekadashi.
This is not a month of spectacle. It’s a month of continuity.
Ekadashi February 2026 – Complete Month List
Let’s clear the basics first. Dates matter. Especially when fasting, travel, or temple visits are involved.
In February 2026, there are two Ekadashi vrat days:
- Vijaya Ekadashi: observed on 12 or 13 February 2026
- Amalaki Ekadashi: Friday, 27 February 2026
Yes, that “12 or 13” is intentional. And no, it’s not a mistake. We’ll get to that.
Ekadashi February 2026 and the Paush-Putrada to Jaya Flow
Many devotees don’t see Ekadashi as isolated dots on a calendar. It’s more like a thread. One fast leads into the next. The body remembers. The mind settles faster each time.
In the 2026 Ekadashi cycle:
- Jaya Ekadashi appears at the end of January
- Vijaya Ekadashi arrives mid-February
- Amalaki Ekadashi closes the month
Seen this way, February is a continuation, not a reset. You’re already in the rhythm. You just keep walking.
Vijaya Ekadashi 2026 Date and Tithi Explained
This is where most questions come up. And honestly, they’re fair.
Some calendars say Vijaya Ekadashi is on 12 February 2026. Others insist it’s on 13 February 2026. So which one is right?
Both. Depending on how you observe.
Vijaya Ekadashi Tithi Details
- Ekadashi tithi begins on 12 February 2026 at 12:22 PM
- Ekadashi tithi ends on 13 February 2026 at 2:25 PM
Because the tithi stretches across two days, traditions differ:
- Smartha followers usually observe on 12 February
- Vaishnava followers, including ISKCON, observe on 13 February
This isn’t confusion. It’s lineage. Both methods are old. Both are respected. The important thing is consistency within your practice.
Vijaya Ekadashi 2026 in Temple Calendars
If you’re planning temple visits or following Vaishnava customs, this matters.
Temple-aligned calendars, including ISKCON listings, clearly show:
- Vijaya Ekadasi on Friday, 13 February 2026
For pilgrims, this helps with darshan planning, prasad expectations, and travel meals. Temples tend to follow their own calendars strictly.
Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat Rules and Observance
Vijaya Ekadashi is often associated with overcoming obstacles. Not dramatic victories. Quiet ones.
The usual observance looks something like this:
- Fasting from sunrise
- Avoiding grains and cereals
- Simple Vishnu or Krishna worship
- Naam japa or Vishnu Sahasranama
- Breaking the fast on Dwadashi morning
Some people observe it strictly. Others adjust based on health or travel. Both are fine. Ekadashi is about intention, not exhaustion.
Amalaki Ekadashi 2026 Date and Significance
The second Ekadashi of the month is gentler in feel.
Amalaki Ekadashi falls on Friday, 27 February 2026, and unlike Vijaya Ekadashi, there’s no date confusion here. Calendars agree. Temples agree. Families agree.
It is named after the Amalaki tree, which holds symbolic importance in Vaishnava tradition, representing nourishment, balance, and quiet strength.
Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Rules
The Amalaki Ekadashi vrat follows the standard Ekadashi discipline.
Most devotees:
- Fast from sunrise
- Avoid grains and pulses
- Keep food simple
- Focus on Vishnu or Krishna devotion
- Complete the vrat with parana on Dwadashi
There’s something calming about this Ekadashi. Less intensity. More steadiness. It feels like preparation, not purification.
Amalaki Ekadashi and Parana Timing
One thing that often gets overlooked is parana.
For Amalaki Ekadashi:
- The fast is completed on Dwadashi after sunrise
- Exact parana timing varies by location and Panchang
- Temple-based or local calendars should be followed
Skipping or mistiming parana leaves the vrat unfinished. Elders never forget to remind us of that.
Ekadashi February 2026 and Smartha vs Vaishnava Observance
If you’ve ever argued with a family member over Ekadashi dates, this section is for you.
Why Dates Differ
- Smartha Ekadashi is observed when Ekadashi tithi touches sunrise
- Vaishnava Ekadashi is observed when Ekadashi tithi is predominant at sunrise
Neither is wrong. They come from different philosophical traditions. Understanding this reduces stress and unnecessary debate. Faith should calm, not confuse.
Ekadashi February 2026 – Traveller-Friendly Planning
If you’re travelling in February, Ekadashi quietly affects your plans.
Temple kitchens may serve limited meals. Some dharamshalas adjust timings. Fellow pilgrims might be fasting, which changes crowd patterns.
Knowing Ekadashi February 2026 dates helps you plan meals, darshan times, and even train journeys more comfortably. Small awareness makes a big difference on yatra.
Ekadashi February 2026 – Fasting Calendar Snapshot
Here’s the simple version:
- Vijaya Ekadashi: 12 or 13 February 2026 (tradition-based)
- Amalaki Ekadashi: 27 February 2026
That’s it. Two days. Two pauses.
Spiritual Meaning of February Ekadashis
February’s Ekadashis feel like inner training.
- Vijaya Ekadashi asks you to confront what holds you back
- Amalaki Ekadashi helps you stabilise before the festive season ahead
Together, they form a bridge between discipline and celebration.
Final Thoughts
Ekadashi February 2026 doesn’t promise miracles. It offers something quieter. Consistency. Continuity. A chance to stay aligned even when the year starts picking up speed.
Two fasts. Two reminders. Eat less. Think more. Give space to something beyond routine.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what keeps the rest of life balanced.
