When is Jaya Ekadashi in 2026?

Jaya Ekadashi 2026 will be observed on Thursday, 29 January 2026, during the Shukla Paksha of the Magha month.

What is the significance of Jaya Ekadashi?

The significance of Jaya Ekadashi lies in its power to remove sins, free devotees from negative energies, and grant the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It also promotes spiritual growth, peace, and mental clarity.

What can we eat during Jaya Ekadashi fast?

Devotees can follow Nirjala (waterless), Phalahar (fruits and milk), or Satvik vrat food such as fruits, milk, vrat-attas, peanuts, or lightly cooked food without grains and onion-garlic.

How to do Jaya Ekadashi Puja at home?

Wake up early, take a holy bath, clean your puja area, offer tulsi, incense, lamp, flowers, and naivedya to Lord Vishnu, chant Vishnu mantras, read the Jaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha, maintain purity, and complete the fast by performing Parana on the next day after sunrise.

What is the Jaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha?

The Jaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha tells the story of two celestial beings, Malyawan and Pushpavati, who were cursed to become spirits due to their past mistakes. Suffering greatly, they followed Devarshi Narada’s advice and observed the Jaya Ekadashi fast with full devotion. By doing so, their curse ended, their suffering stopped, and they were blessed by Lord Vishnu. This story highlights the deep spiritual power and transformative effect of observing Ekadashi sincerely.

Jaya Ekadashi 2026: Date, Time, and Significance

Jaya Ekadashi 2026 Date, Time ,Significance, Puja Vidhi and Vrat Katha

What Is Jaya Ekadashi?

Jaya Ekadashi is a sacred Ekadashi observed on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the month of Magha. This holy day is also known as Bhishma Ekadashi or Bhaimi Ekadashi, and it holds great spiritual importance for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Fasting and worshipping on Jaya Ekadashi is believed to remove past sins, dissolve karmic burdens, and bring divine blessings, peace, and prosperity into one’s life.

This Ekadashi is especially known for granting protection from negative energies and helping devotees progress spiritually. It is said that those who observe this vrat with full devotion attain purity of mind, emotional strength, and the grace of Vishnu and Lakshmi. In 2026, Jaya Ekadashi 2026 will be observed on Thursday, 29 January 2026 (Magha Shukla Ekadashi). In this detailed blog, we will cover the Jaya Ekadashi date and time, significance of Jaya Ekadashi, Jaya Ekadashi Puja Vidhi, Vrat Katha, and everything you need to know to observe this auspicious fast correctly.

Jaya Ekadashi 2026 Date

The following are the Jaya Ekaashi dates and timing in 2026. You can prepare for the rituals (fast and worship) as per this muhurat:

This year, Jaya Ekadashi falls on the 29th of January 2026 on Thursday, (Shukla Paksha, Magha).
Fast-breaking timing– 30th January, from 07: 10 am to 09: 20 am
Ekadashi Tithi beginning time: 28 January 2026 at 04: 35 pm
Ekadashi Tithi end time: 29 January 2026 at 01: 55 pm

Significance of Jaya Ekadashi

Observing Jaya Ekadashi holds deep spiritual and karmic importance. Here are the key aspects of its significance:

Significance of Jaya Ekadashi

Cleansing of Sins & Karma: Jaya Ekadashi is said to wash away sins and grant the devotee a fresh start. It protects from past karmic burdens and ensures a life of purity and virtue.
Liberation from Negative Energies: According to tradition, those who observe Jaya Ekadashi with true devotion escape negative energies, ghostly influences, and sufferings.
Blessings of Vishnu & Prosperity: Worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day invokes his grace, leading to peace, prosperity, family harmony, and spiritual growth.
Path to Moksha: Devotees believe Jaya Ekadashi brings the possibility of liberation (moksha) or at least strong blessings for a righteous life ahead.

Thus, Jaya Ekadashi 2026 is not just a ritual but a spiritual opportunity for purification, inner peace, and divine blessings.

Also check out our thoughts on Significance of Mohini Ekadashi

How to Observe: Jaya Ekadashi Puja Vidhi & Vrat Katha

Before starting the ritual and fast, it is important to know the correct puja vidhi (worship method) and vrat katha (legend).

Preparation (Day before Ekadashi — Dashami)

Keep home and puja-place clean.
Avoid heavy, tamasic or non-satvik food from Dashami evening.
Resolve mentally to observe the fast (Sankalp).

On the Day of Jaya Ekadashi (Shukla Ekadashi)

Wake up early, take a holy bath and wear clean clothes.
Set up a puja altar (ideally with a Vishnu idol or picture) and light a lamp (deep).
Offer water, flowers, fruits, incense, and tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu. Chant “ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय” or any Vishnu mantra. Chant it for 108 times.
Devotees can also chant Vishnu Sahasranama, the Narayan Stotra, and sing or listen to Lord Krishna’s songs.
Read or listen to the Jaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha — the sacred story associated with this Ekadashi.
Maintain celibacy, refrain from non-veg, alcohol, onion-garlic, and tamasic food. Prefer satvik or fruit-water diet. Some observe full fast (Nirjala), others take fruits/fluid (Phalahar).
Do night prayer or jagran (bhajan/kirtan) in honour of Lord Vishnu if possible.

On Parana Day (Dwadashi)

Break your fast after sunrise — only after Dwadasi tithi begins (or after proper parana muhurat). For Jaya Ekadashi 2026 (Delhi), parana window ~07:10–09:20 AM, 30 Jan.
Before breaking fast, it is auspicious to feed cows, offer food/charity to brahmins or needy persons, and take water bath again.

Jaya Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Legend of Jaya Ekadashi)

The story of Jaya Ekadashi begins in the beautiful court of Lord Indra, where music, dance, and divine joy filled the air. One day, many celestial beings had gathered there, including the Gandharva Pushpavan, his daughter Pushpavati, Gandharvi Malini, and her son Malyavan.

During the dance performance, Pushpavati saw Malyavan and instantly felt attracted to him. Malyavan too was drawn toward her beauty and expressions. Lost in their feelings, both became distracted. When Indra asked them to dance, they could not perform well, as their minds were not focused.

Indra understood what had happened. Angered by their carelessness, he cursed both of them to take birth on Earth as pishachas (spirits) and suffer the results of their actions.

Because of this curse, Malyavan and Pushpavati began living a sad and painful life in the Himalayas. They wandered from place to place, unable to sleep peacefully and constantly troubled by their situation. One day, by divine grace, they met Devarshi Narada, who asked them why they looked so unhappy. They shared everything about Indra’s curse and their suffering.

Narada gently advised them to observe the Jaya Ekadashi fast of Magha Shukla Paksha with full devotion. They listened to his guidance, kept the vrat sincerely, stayed awake through the night, and spent their time remembering Lord Vishnu.

The next morning, something miraculous happened. With the blessings of Lord Vishnu, their pishacha form disappeared, and they regained their original celestial bodies. Filled with joy, they returned to Indra’s court and told him how the power of Jaya Ekadashi had ended their curse and suffering.

This simple yet powerful story teaches us that observing Jaya Ekadashi with true devotion destroys sins, removes hardships, and brings peace, purity, and divine grace into one’s life.

Why Jaya Ekadashi 2026 Is Important

Helps begin the year 2026 with spiritual purity and renewed faith.
Offers a chance for devotees to cleanse past karmas and start fresh.
Acts as a spiritual reset — especially useful for those seeking peace, mental stability, and divine protection.
Aligns with cosmic energies in Magha Shukla — a powerful period for dharmic activities and devotion.

Hence, Jaya Ekadashi 2026 is among the most important observances for faithful followers of Vishnu and those seeking a life of righteousness.

Final Thoughts & Advice

If you wish to observe Jaya Ekadashi 2026:

Plan your fast carefully — check your local sunrise/sunset timing before starting and consider the timing and date mentioned above.
Keep your surroundings and mind pure and calm.
Follow the puja vidhi sincerely, read or listen to the Vrat Katha, and pray with a clean heart.
Offer charity or help to someone in need (cow, brahmin, poor) — this enhances the spiritual benefits.

Even if you cannot do full fast (Nirjala), a fruit-water fast (Phalahar) with devotion brings blessings. Intent matters more than austerity. May Lord Vishnu’s blessings be with you. Let Jaya Ekadashi 2026 mark the beginning of peace, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment in your life.

Also check out our thoughts on What Is Yogini Ekadashi and Its Significance

Summary

Jaya Ekadashi 2026 is a highly auspicious fasting day dedicated to Lord Vishnu, observed on 29 January 2026. This sacred Ekadashi helps devotees purify their mind, remove past karmic burdens, and receive divine protection and blessings. By following the correct Jaya Ekadashi Puja Vidhi, reading the Vrat Katha, and observing the fast with devotion, one can experience peace, prosperity, and inner spiritual growth.

If you want to understand the deeper meaning of Jaya Ekadashi or wish to know the important spiritual and astrological festivals coming in 2026 — and receive personalised remedies based on your birth chart (kundli) — you can consult Pandit Pawan Kaushik, one of the top astrologers in India. Known for his accurate predictions, practical remedies, and compassionate guidance, Pandit ji helps individuals overcome challenges and align their life with divine blessings and positive energies.