Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2026: Date, Rituals, Vrat Katha and More

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Somewhere in the Puranas, a king named Mahijit sits before Sage Lomesh with a single question: why, despite ruling justly and worshipping faithfully, has he still not been blessed with a child? The answer the sage gives him becomes the origin story of one of Hinduism's most enduring fasts.

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That fast, Shravana Putrada Ekadashi, returns in 2026, and it remains one of the most widely observed Ekadashis of the year, particularly among couples praying for progeny and family well-being. The name comes from the Sanskrit words 'putra' (child) and 'da' (giver), and this Ekadashi is dedicated to seeking the blessing of offspring. It falls during Shravan, widely considered the holiest month in the Hindu calendar, which only adds to its significance.

When Is Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2026

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi 2026 falls on 23 August, a Sunday, with the Ekadashi tithi beginning at 2:00 am on 23 August and concluding at 4:19 am on 24 August. The Parana, or the ritual breaking of the fast, is to be observed between 1:58 pm and 4:29 pm on 24 August.

Because Ekadashi dates follow the lunar calendar and vary slightly by city, it's worth checking the timings for your specific location before the day itself, especially if you're planning a Nirjala (waterless) fast.

The Story of King Mahijit: A Fast Written in Longing

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According to the katha, a childless king was told by a sage that this was the result of a past sin, and the couple was advised to observe the Putrada Ekadashi vrat during Shukla Paksha of Shravan with complete devotion. Following the fast faithfully, they were blessed with a virtuous and brave son who went on to become a great ruler.

The katha isn't meant to be read as a transactional promise, though. Its deeper meaning lies in patience and surrender, a reminder that there are seasons in life when people pray for something for a long time without any visible result, and faith is what carries them through. That's arguably why the story has stayed relevant well beyond its original context of seeking a son. Many devotees today observe the vrat simply for the wellbeing and future of the family they already have.

How the Vrat Is Observed

The rituals begin before sunrise and continue well into the following day. Devotees typically:

• Bathe at dawn and take a sankalp (vow), stating their intention for the fast
• Set up a clean puja space with an idol or image of Lord Vishnu, along with a kalash, mango leaves and a diya
• Offer Tulsi leaves, fresh flowers, fruit and a simple bhog, and chant Vishnu mantras or recite the Vishnu Sahasranama
• Choose a fasting style suited to their health: a full Nirjala fast, a fruit-and-milk (phalahar) fast, or a partial fast with water
• Stay awake through the night for jagran, singing bhajans and kirtans in praise of Lord Vishnu
• On Dwadashi morning, offer prayers again before breaking the fast within the prescribed Parana window
• Many households also mark the day with daan, giving food, clothing or money to those in need, as an additional act of merit tied to the vrat.

Why the Timing of Parana Matters

Breaking the fast isn't just a formality. It follows its own rules. The fast must be broken after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi, and within the Dwadashi tithi, while avoiding the Hari Vasara period, which is the first quarter of Dwadashi. Devotees who get this window wrong are believed to lose some of the merit of the fast, which is why most Panchangs list the Parana timing as precisely as the Ekadashi start time itself.