Parivartini Ekadashi Date 2027: Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, Parana, Mantras and Dol Gyaras

Parivartini Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of Bhadrapada, also known as Parsva Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi, Vamana Ekadashi, Jaljhulni Ekadashi and Dol Gyaras. By tradition, Lord Vishnu, resting in yoga nidra during Chaturmas, turns onto his other side on this day, which is why it is called “Parivartini”, the Ekadashi of the turning.

Its vrat katha is the story of Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar and the generous King Bali. Worship of Lord Vamana is prescribed on this day, and it is believed that worshipping Vamana brings the merit of worshipping Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together.

In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat the day is also a great festival. Temples carry Thakur ji out in decorated dols and palanquins for a water outing at a river, lake or kund. This guide covers the date, parana time, full vrat katha, puja vidhi, mantras, fasting rules and the Jaljhulni and Dol Gyaras traditions.

When is Parivartini Ekadashi in 2027? Date, Tithi and Parana Time

Quick answer: Parivartini Ekadashi 2026 (22 September) has passed. The next Parivartini Ekadashi is on Saturday, 11 September 2027. For New Delhi, the Ekadashi tithi runs from about 5:00 PM on 10 September 2027 to about 7:35 PM on 11 September, and parana is on 12 September 2027 between about 6:04 AM and 8:33 AM. See the table below for the exact time in your city.

Check the table above for the fasting date and parana time in your own city, because timings change with local sunrise. When Ekadashi spans two days, Smarta (householder) devotees fast on the first day and Vaishnavas (ISKCON and others) on the second. For 2027, both traditions are listed on the same day in India, but devotees abroad should still check the table.

Meaning of Parivartini Ekadashi and Its Other Names

What “Parivartini” means

“Parivartan” means a change or a turning. On Devshayani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu enters yoga nidra on the serpent Shesha in the Ocean of Milk. About two months later, on Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi, he is believed to turn onto his other side while resting. That turning gives this Ekadashi its name.

“Parsva” means “side”. So Parsva Ekadashi and Parivartini Ekadashi carry the same idea: the Ekadashi on which the Lord turns from one side to the other.

Other names of Parivartini Ekadashi

• Parsva / Parshva Ekadashi: the name used in South India, by ISKCON and in many panchangs.
• Vamana Ekadashi: because Lord Vamana is worshipped and the katha is about the Vamana avatar.
• Padma Ekadashi: found in many panchangs. Note that Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha is also called Padma Ekadashi, so do not confuse the two.
• Jayanti Ekadashi: Krishna himself uses this name in the katha; it is understood as the Ekadashi that brings victory over sin.
• Jaljhulni Ekadashi: the most common name in Rajasthan.
• Dol Gyaras / Dhol Gyaras: the name in Madhya Pradesh and Malwa, where the Lord’s dols are taken out in procession.

Which month: Purnimanta and Amanta calendars

North India follows the Purnimanta calendar, where a month ends on Purnima. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and much of South India follow the Amanta calendar, where a month ends on Amavasya. For Krishna Paksha Ekadashis, the month name differs between the two systems.

Parivartini falls in Shukla Paksha, so both calendars call it Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi. In the Gregorian calendar it usually falls in late August or September, about seven days after Ganesh Chaturthi and three days before Anant Chaturdashi.

Significance of Parivartini Ekadashi

Religious significance

In the katha, Krishna says that simply hearing the story of this Ekadashi destroys sins. By tradition, a devotee who worships Lord Vamana on this day receives the merit of worshipping Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Several panchangs compare the merit of this fast to the Vajapeya yajna.

The day falls in the middle of Chaturmas, the holiest season for japa, austerity, charity and restraint, so vows kept now are considered especially meritorious. In the ISKCON tradition, giving yogurt mixed with rice, and silver if possible, is recommended on this day.

Spiritual message

The first message is change. Just as the Lord turns sides, this day invites us to turn our own habits towards the good. Coming midway through Chaturmas, it is a natural moment to renew the vows we took at its start.

The second message is humility in giving. Bali was a great giver, but pride in his power and generosity had entered his heart. When he placed his own head at the Lord’s feet, that pride turned into surrender. Charity is complete only when the giver lets go of the thought “I am the one giving”.

Mention in the Puranas

According to tradition, the glory of Parivartini Ekadashi is told in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana as a dialogue between Krishna and Yudhishthira; ISKCON names the same source. Some sources link it to the Padma Purana, while most Hindi katha texts simply say “in the Puranas”.

The full story of Vamana and Bali is told mainly in the eighth canto of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. The Ekadashi katha retells that episode briefly and connects it to the Lord’s turning on this day.

Lord Vishnu Turns Sides in Chaturmas

What is yoga nidra?

The Puranas describe Lord Vishnu resting in yoga nidra on Shesha in the Ocean of Milk. Yoga nidra is not ordinary sleep. It is a state in which the Lord appears to rest outwardly while remaining fully aware of the universe within.

From Devshayani to Devuthani

On Devshayani Ekadashi in Ashadha Shukla, the Lord enters yoga nidra and Chaturmas begins. On Parivartini Ekadashi in Bhadrapada Shukla he turns sides. On Devuthani Ekadashi in Kartika Shukla he awakens and Chaturmas ends.

Parivartini is therefore the midpoint of Chaturmas. Devotees see it as a sign that the Lord’s awakening is approaching, and a reminder to keep their vows with even greater care.

The promise to Bali

According to the katha, because of his promise to King Bali, one form of the Lord stays with Bali in Patala while another rests on Shesha in the Ocean of Milk. This story is what links the day to the Lord’s turning.

Parivartini Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The question

Once Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna, “O Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadashi in the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada? How is its fast observed and what is its fruit? Please tell me in detail.” (In some versions, Arjuna asks.)

Krishna replied, “O King, this Ekadashi is called Parivartini and also Jayanti. Hearing its story destroys all sins. Whoever worships my Vamana form on this day receives the merit of worshipping Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. On this day, while resting, I turn onto my other side.”

Amazed, Yudhishthira asked, “O Lord, how do you sleep and how do you turn? Why did you bind King Bali, and what did you do as Vamana? Please tell me everything.”

Bali, the generous king

Krishna said, “In the Treta Yuga there lived a daitya king named Bali. Though born among the daityas, he was my great devotee. Every day he worshipped me with Vedic hymns, honoured brahmins, performed yajnas and gave generously. Truthfulness was his nature.”

“By the strength of his merit, Bali fought Indra, defeated him and took over heaven, and the devas were driven from their realm. Indra came to me with all the devas and their guru Brihaspati and praised me with Vedic hymns. Hearing their prayer, I promised to help.”

Vamana and the three steps

“I then took my fifth avatar as a small, radiant brahmin boy, Vamana. I went to Bali’s yajna and asked him for only three steps of land. I said, ‘O King, give me just three steps of land, and you will earn the merit of giving all three worlds.'”

“Bali granted this small request at once and took the vow of gift.” (Some tellings add that Shukracharya, the guru of the daityas, recognised Vamana and tried to stop Bali, but Bali would not go back on his word.)

The cosmic form

“As soon as the gift was vowed, I began to grow. My cosmic form spread from the earth through all the higher worlds until my head reached Satyaloka. The sun, the moon, the stars, Indra and all the devas sang my praises.”

“With one step I measured the whole earth, and with the second, heaven and the worlds above. Then I asked Bali, ‘O King, everything is measured in two steps. Where shall I place the third?'”

Bali’s surrender

“Bali understood that this was no ordinary boy but the Lord himself. With folded hands he bowed his head and said, ‘Lord, place the third step on my head.’ I placed my foot on his head and, for the good of the devas, sent him down to Patala.”

“I was deeply pleased by his surrender and devotion. When Bali humbly prayed for my grace, I promised him, ‘I will always remain near you.'” (In the Bhagavata tradition, Bali is made king of Sutala.)

The two forms of the Lord and the turning

“Because of this promise, on Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi a murti of me was installed in Bali’s abode. One form of mine stays with Bali in Patala, and another rests on Shesha in the Ocean of Milk. On this Ekadashi I turn sides while resting, and so it is called Parivartini.”

The observance and its fruit

Krishna continued, “O King, on this day one should worship Trilokinath, the Lord of the three worlds, in his Vamana form. One should give rice and curd along with silver, as one is able, and keep vigil at night. Whoever keeps this fast as prescribed is freed from sin and attains heaven.”

“Whoever reads or hears this sin-destroying story with faith receives merit equal to an Ashvamedha yajna.” So ends the katha of Parivartini Ekadashi.

Vamana Avatar and King Bali: More Context

Vamana is the fifth of Vishnu’s ten avatars and is considered the first in human form. By tradition he was born to Aditi and Rishi Kashyapa. King Bali was the grandson of the great devotee Prahlada, so devotion ran in his family.

Parivartini Ekadashi and Vamana Jayanti

The day after Parivartini, Bhadrapada Shukla Dwadashi, is celebrated as Vamana Jayanti (Vamana Dwadashi). Its importance increases when Shravana nakshatra falls on that Dwadashi. Many devotees fast on Ekadashi and break the fast on Dwadashi after Vamana Jayanti puja.

On Vamana Jayanti, the tradition is to worship a gold or clay image of Vamana, read his katha and donate rice, curd and mishri. Together the two days become a festival of the Vamana avatar.

Link with Onam and Bali Pratipada

It is believed that the Lord allowed Bali to visit his people once a year. Kerala celebrates this homecoming of King Mahabali as Onam, and much of India marks Bali Pratipada the day after Diwali. In India, Bali is remembered not as a demon but as a generous, devoted king.

Jaljhulni Ekadashi and Dol Gyaras: Regional Traditions

In North and West India, Parivartini Ekadashi is also a great folk festival. Rajasthan calls it Jaljhulni Ekadashi and Madhya Pradesh calls it Dol Gyaras. At the heart of both is Lord Krishna’s (Thakur ji’s) water outing, or jal vihar.

Why the name Jaljhulni?

A popular belief holds that on this day Mother Yashoda washed baby Krishna’s clothes and gave him his ceremonial bath, which gives the day its name. “Jal” (water) and “jhulni” (swinging) together describe the Lord being swung and bathed by the water’s edge.

In parts of Madhya Pradesh a “Jalwa Puja” is performed before the main celebration. In different regions it is also called Suraj Puja, Dashton Puja or Kuan Puja, and the form varies from place to place.

Dol Gyaras: the dol yatra

A “dol” is a decorated wooden palanquin or swing. On Dol Gyaras, temples seat Bal Krishna or Thakur ji in a dol and carry him through town with dhol, manjira and bhajans to a river, pond or lake for a bath and boat ride, returning in the evening.

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Malwa towns such as Agar Malwa, Susner and Nalkheda. In Ashoknagar, dols from about forty temples gather at Tulsi Sarovar for the jal vihar. Akhadas also perform feats during the processions.

Famous Jaljhulni fairs in Rajasthan

• Sanwaliya Seth Temple, Mandaphiya (Chittorgarh): a three-day fair with a Shobha Yatra on Dashami, a Rath Yatra and the deity’s bath at the kund on Ekadashi, and closing ceremonies on Dwadashi. Lakhs of pilgrims come from across India.
• Charbhuja Nath Temple, Garhbor (Rajsamand): a large fair on Jaljhulni Ekadashi, where Vishnu is worshipped in his four-armed Charbhuja form.
• Towns and villages: in many places Ganesha and Gauri are also worshipped on this day, and deities are taken to a riverbank or pond for puja and brought back in the evening.

Gujarat and elsewhere

In Gujarat, processions and jal vihar are reported at the Dwarkadhish and Swaminarayan temples. Because the day falls during Ganesh Utsav, in some cities Ganesh immersion processions also begin from this day.

Parivartini Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

Dashami (the day before)

1. Eat one simple sattvic meal before sunset. Avoid onion, garlic, meat and alcohol.
2. Clean the house and puja area and gather the puja items.
3. Go to sleep remembering the Lord, with the intention of the vrat in mind.

Ekadashi morning and sankalp

1. Rise in Brahma muhurta and bathe. Some traditions add kusha grass to the bath water.
2. Wear clean clothes, yellow if possible.
3. Holding water, akshat and a flower, take the sankalp: “Today I will keep the Parivartini Ekadashi fast with devotion for the pleasure of Lord Vamana.” Choose nirjala, phalahar or one meal according to your capacity.

Worship of Lord Vamana (Vishnu)

1. Spread a yellow cloth on a chowki and place an image of Lord Vamana or Vishnu, or a Shaligram.
2. Bathe the deity first with pure water, then with panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), then with pure water again. Use Ganga jal if you have it.
3. Offer yellow cloth, sandalwood, yellow flowers and tulsi leaves. A lotus is considered especially auspicious on this day.
4. Light incense and a ghee lamp.
5. Offer fruit, sweets and curd as bhog, always with a tulsi leaf.
6. Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or the mantras below.
7. Read or listen to the vrat katha. By tradition the fast is incomplete without it.
8. Finish with the Om Jai Jagdish Hare aarti and share prasad.

Through the day and evening

1. Spend the day in japa, bhajans or reading the Gita. Avoid idle talk, anger and criticism.
2. In the evening, light the lamp again, do aarti and light a lamp near tulsi.

Night vigil

1. The katha prescribes a night jagran. Spend the night, or as much of it as you can, in kirtan and remembrance.

Dwadashi and parana

1. Bathe and worship the Lord in the morning; many also do Vamana Jayanti puja.
2. Feed a brahmin or someone in need and donate curd, rice, grain or silver as you can.
3. Within the parana window shown in the table, take a tulsi leaf and water, then eat a sattvic meal.

Puja Samagri List

• Image of Lord Vamana or Vishnu, or a Shaligram
• Chowki and yellow cloth
• Ganga jal and clean water
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
• Yellow cloth or angavastra for the deity
• Sandalwood, roli and akshat
• Yellow flowers, a garland and a lotus if available
• Tulsi leaves (picked the day before)
• Incense, ghee lamp and cotton wicks
• Fruit, sweets or makhana kheer for bhog
• Curd (curd as bhog and daan is considered auspicious in Bhadrapada)
• Kusha grass for the bath, if your tradition uses it
• Rice, curd, grain, clothes and silver or copper for donation
• Tulsi mala for japa
• Vrat katha book and an aarti collection

Parivartini Ekadashi Mantras

Faith and focus matter most in japa. Chant one or more of these as you like; 108 repetitions on a tulsi mala is considered auspicious.

1. Dwadashakshara mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu), who dwells within all beings. This twelve-syllable mantra is the most widely chanted on every Ekadashi.

2. Vamana name mantra

ॐ वामनाय नमः॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vamana. Since Vamana is worshipped today, this simple name mantra is used during abhishek and flower offering.

3. Vishnu Gayatri mantra

ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥

Meaning: We contemplate Narayana and meditate on Vasudeva. May Lord Vishnu inspire and guide our intellect.

4. Vishnu dhyana mantra

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं, विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं, वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vishnu, whose form is peaceful, who rests on the serpent Shesha, from whose navel the lotus springs, the lord of the devas and support of the universe, vast as the sky, dark as a rain cloud, beautiful of limb, beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation, remover of the fear of worldly existence and sole lord of all worlds.

No long mantra specific to Parivartini Ekadashi is found in authoritative sources, so these well-known Vishnu and Vamana mantras are chanted. Reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama is also very auspicious.

What to Eat and Avoid on Parivartini Ekadashi

What you can eat

• Fresh fruit and dry fruit
• Milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer and makhana
• Sabudana, kuttu, singhara and rajgira flour
• Potato, sweet potato, arbi and bottle gourd
• Sendha (rock) salt, black pepper and cumin
• Coconut water, fruit juice and lemon water

What to avoid

• Rice and anything made from rice
• Wheat, barley, maize and all grains
• Dals, chana, moong and beans
• Onion, garlic and tamasic food
• Meat, eggs, fish and alcohol
• Ordinary table salt (use sendha salt)

Note that the katha prescribes donating curd and rice, not eating rice. Rice is not eaten on Ekadashi; give it in charity and eat it only after parana on Dwadashi.

Nirjala fast

In a nirjala fast, neither food nor water is taken until parana. It is the hardest form, so only healthy people should attempt it. September heat and humidity can dehydrate you quickly.

Phalahar fast

In a phalahar fast, grains are avoided but fruit, milk, curd, nuts and fasting flours are allowed. Most householders keep this form. Eat small amounts through the day and keep drinking water.

One meal (ekabhukta)

Those who cannot fast all day can take one grain-free sattvic meal, such as sabudana khichdi or kuttu puri with potato, and only fruit and water otherwise.

Health caution: if you have diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure or kidney problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are elderly or take regular medicines, consult your doctor before a strict fast. A phalahar or one-meal fast kept with devotion is fully meaningful, and do not stop your medicines.

When and How to Do Parivartini Ekadashi Parana

Parana means breaking the fast. The Ekadashi fast is broken the next day, on Dwadashi tithi, and doing it at the right time is part of the vrat.

• On Dwadashi: break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi tithi ends. Parana after Dwadashi is over is not considered proper.
• Avoid Hari Vasara: the first quarter of Dwadashi is called Hari Vasara, and by tradition the fast is not broken during it.
• Morning is best: early morning is the preferred time, and midday (madhyahna) is avoided. If you miss the morning, break the fast after madhyahna.
• Smarta and Vaishnava: in years when Ekadashi spans two days, the two traditions also break the fast on different days. Follow your own tradition.
• Exact time: parana time depends on local sunrise. See your city’s time in the table above.

How to break the fast

1. Bathe and worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Vamana.
2. Give food or donation to a brahmin or someone in need; this is the ideal time for the curd, rice and silver daan of the katha.
3. First take a tulsi leaf and water.
4. Then eat a light sattvic meal, avoiding heavy or fried food.

Dos and Don’ts on Parivartini Ekadashi

Do

• Worship Lord Vamana and Lord Vishnu with devotion.
• Read or listen to the vrat katha.
• Chant the Vishnu Sahasranama, read the Gita or do japa.
• Donate curd, rice, grain, clothes and silver as you can.
• Light a lamp near tulsi and circle her with reverence.
• Keep restraint in thought, speech and action.
• Give with humility, as Bali’s story teaches.

Don’t

• Eat rice or grains.
• Pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi; pick them the day before.
• Take onion, garlic, meat or intoxicants.
• Indulge in anger, lies, gossip or harsh words.
• Sleep during the day, if your health allows you to stay up.
• Show off your charity or feel proud of it.
• Break the fast during Hari Vasara or after Dwadashi ends.
• Take risks with crowds or deep water at the dol yatra.

Parivartini Ekadashi Myths and Reality

Myth: On Parivartini Ekadashi Lord Vishnu wakes up and Chaturmas ends.

Reality: By tradition the Lord only turns sides on this day; he does not wake. He awakens on Devuthani Ekadashi in Kartika, and only then does Chaturmas end, so Chaturmas vows continue after Parivartini.

Myth: Since the Lord is asleep, worship in this period does not reach him.

Reality: Yoga nidra is not ordinary sleep, and the Lord is understood to be ever aware. That is why Chaturmas is considered the holiest season for japa and worship, not a time to stop.

Myth: Bali was a wicked demon, so the Lord punished him.

Reality: The katha calls Bali a devotee, generous and truthful. His problem was pride, which dissolved in surrender. The Lord gave him a kingdom and promised to stay with him. It is a story of grace, not punishment.

Myth: Dol Gyaras is the same as the Holi-time Dol Purnima.

Reality: They are different festivals. Dol Purnima falls on Phalguna Purnima, around Holi, in Bengal and Odisha. Dol Gyaras falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi in Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions and centres on the Lord’s water outing.

Myth: The katha mentions curd and rice, so we can eat curd-rice today.

Reality: The katha prescribes giving curd and rice in charity, not eating them. Grains, especially rice, are avoided on Ekadashi. Curd can be part of phalahar, but rice should wait until after parana.

Benefits of Parivartini Ekadashi (Religious Belief)

The benefits below are beliefs described in tradition and the katha. Hold them as matters of faith, not guaranteed results.

• The vrat is believed to remove sins committed knowingly or unknowingly.
• Worship of Vamana is believed to bring the merit of worshipping Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
• Several panchangs compare its merit to the Vajapeya yajna.
• Reading or hearing the katha is believed to bring merit equal to an Ashvamedha yajna.
• Charity, especially of curd, rice and silver, is considered highly meritorious.
• Fasting and japa calm the mind, strengthen self-control and deepen devotion.

Related Ekadashis and Readings

Before Parivartini comes Aja Ekadashi in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha, and after it comes Indira Ekadashi in Ashvin Krishna Paksha, dedicated to the ancestors. Chaturmas begins with Devshayani Ekadashi, when the Lord enters yoga nidra, and ends with Devuthani Ekadashi. For all Ekadashi dates of the year, see our Ekadashi Kab Hai page.

During puja you can sing the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti, Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti and Tulsi Mata Ki Aarti. For daily tithis see the Daily Panchang, and for all aartis the Aarti Sangrah PDF.

Parivartini Ekadashi reminds us that true charity is free of pride and true devotion is complete surrender. Like King Bali, bow your head at the Lord’s feet and keep this fast with faith, as your health allows. May Lord Vamana bring auspicious change into your life and keep you in the shelter of his grace. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Frequently asked questions