Exact Date and Time Example
City-specific temple calendars
Same tithi, different rule checkpoint: If Ekadashi tithi is present at sunrise but Dashami affects the pre-sunrise arunodaya window, a Vaishnava calendar may shift the fast while a general Smarta listing may not.
| Arunodaya window | Roughly 96 minutes before local sunrise |
|---|---|
| Rule checkpoint | Was Dashami still present in the pre-sunrise purity window? |
| Possible result | Smarta listing on the first date; Vaishnava listing on the next suitable date |
| Parana check | The chosen fast must still allow proper Dwadashi breaking of the fast. |
Important: This is not a disagreement about whether the tithi exists. It is a difference in which religious rule decides the observance date.
Different traditions optimize for different safeguards
A simple calendar may select the date where Ekadashi is present at sunrise.
Many Vaishnava calendars also check whether Dashami touches the arunodaya period before sunrise, because that can make the first date unsuitable for their observance.
The calendar then checks Dwadashi availability for Parana. If the fast cannot be broken properly, special rules may apply.
Caveats That Change the Answer
City Caveat
Even tradition-specific rules are still local. Arunodaya and sunrise are different in every city, so a Vaishnava date in Mumbai is not automatically the Vaishnava date in Los Angeles.
Tradition Caveat
When your family, matha, temple, or sampradaya publishes a calendar, that calendar should take precedence for ritual observance.
FAQ
Which should I follow, Smarta or Vaishnava?
Follow the tradition you practice at home or with your temple. If you do not have a sampradaya preference, use the city-specific general Ekadashi date and keep the observance sincerely.
Are Vaishnava dates always one day later?
No. They often match the general date. They differ only when the relevant tithi purity or Parana rules require a shift.