Exact Date and Time Example
New Delhi, India
Apara Ekadashi 2026: Ekadashi starts on May 12 in the afternoon, but the fast is observed on May 13 because the tithi is active at the May 13 sunrise.
| Ekadashi tithi begins | May 12, 2026 at 2:52 PM IST |
|---|---|
| May 13 sunrise check | Ekadashi is active at about 5:31 AM IST |
| Ekadashi tithi ends | May 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM IST |
| Observed fast date | Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in New Delhi |
Important: In another city, the same tithi interval can cross a different local sunrise, which is why a calendar may show May 12 for one location and May 13 for another.
Why May 13 wins in New Delhi
Ekadashi is not decided by the civil midnight when the tithi begins. It is usually anchored to whether Ekadashi tithi is present at the local sunrise.
On May 12 in New Delhi, sunrise happens before Ekadashi starts. On May 13, Ekadashi is already running at sunrise, so May 13 becomes the observance date.
This is the classic source of search confusion: the tithi start date and the fasting date can be different dates.
Caveats That Change the Answer
City Caveat
Always check the city used by the calendar. New Delhi and New York can legitimately show different Ekadashi dates because their sunrise moments happen many hours apart.
Tradition Caveat
Smarta and Vaishnava calendars usually agree for many Ekadashis, but some dates shift when sampradaya rules around arunodaya, dashami overlap, or Parana are applied.
FAQ
Why does one site say May 12 and another say May 13?
One site may be using the tithi start date, a different city, or a different tradition rule. For fasting, the local sunrise rule is usually the important check.
Should I fast when the tithi starts or on the listed Ekadashi date?
Follow the listed Ekadashi observance date for your city and tradition. The tithi start time explains the astronomy; it does not always name the fasting day by itself.