Devuthani Ekadashi 2026 is on Friday, 20 November for most households (Smarta), and on Saturday, 21 November for Vaishnavas. Tulsi Vivah, the wedding of the tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu as Shaligram, is celebrated on any day from 20 November to Kartik Purnima on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. If you fast on the 20th, the parana (breaking the fast) in New Delhi is on 21 November at about 1:11 PM to 3:18 PM.
Key dates for 2026
| Observance | Date |
|---|---|
| Devuthani Ekadashi (Smarta) | Friday 20 November |
| Devuthani Ekadashi (Vaishnava) | Saturday 21 November |
| Ekadashi tithi (New Delhi) | about 7:15 AM, 20 Nov to 6:31 AM, 21 Nov |
| Parana for the 20 November fast | 21 November, about 1:11 PM to 3:18 PM |
| Tulsi Vivah | any day from 20 to 24 November, by family custom |
| Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali | Tuesday 24 November |
Why two Ekadashi dates? The Ekadashi tithi spans two calendar days this year, and Smarta and Vaishnava traditions use different rules to pick the fasting day. Both are correct for their tradition. Parana times vary by city; confirm with your local panchang.
What is Devuthani Ekadashi?
Devuthani (or Dev Uthani, Prabodhini, Devutthana) Ekadashi is Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, when Lord Vishnu is believed to wake from his four-month yoga nidra. It ends Chaturmas, which began on Devshayani Ekadashi, and reopens the season of weddings and other auspicious ceremonies. In the evening many families draw Vishnu's footprints in the courtyard, light lamps, and sing to wake the Lord, often with the refrain "utho dev, baitho dev".
Which day should I do Tulsi Vivah?
Families differ, and all of these are traditional:
- Ekadashi evening (20 November): common across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
- Dwadashi (21 November): many North Indian homes, and Kshirabdhi Dwadashi in the South.
- Any day up to Kartik Purnima (24 November): common in Maharashtra (Tulshiche Lagna) and Gujarat.
Choose the day your family has always used. If you're starting fresh, Ekadashi evening or Dwadashi are the most widely followed.
The story of Tulsi
Tulsi was once Vrinda, the devoted wife of the demon king Jalandhar, whose strength came from her chastity and devotion. To end his tyranny, Vishnu took Jalandhar's form and broke her vow, and Jalandhar was defeated. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a stone, the Shaligram, and gave up her life; from her ashes grew the tulsi plant. Moved by her devotion, Vishnu blessed her to be worshipped in every home and to be his bride each year in Kartik. That wedding is Tulsi Vivah.
Tulsi Vivah samagri
A tulsi plant in a pot or tulsi vrindavan, a Shaligram or small image of Vishnu or Krishna, sugarcane stalks for the mandap, a red chunri, bangles, bindi and sindoor for Tulsi, a yellow cloth for Shaligram, a mauli (sacred thread), haldi, kumkum, akshat, flowers and garlands, diyas and ghee, fruits (amla, ber, seasonal fruit), sweets, and a coconut.
Tulsi Vivah vidhi: step by step
- Prepare the mandap. Clean the space, make a rangoli, and tie three or four sugarcane stalks over the tulsi plant as a canopy.
- Dress the bride. Drape Tulsi in the red chunri and adorn her with bangles, bindi and sindoor.
- Place the groom. Set the Shaligram or Vishnu image on a small chowki to her right, dressed in yellow.
- Sankalp and Ganesh puja. Light the lamp, state your intention, and worship Ganesha first.
- Worship both with haldi, kumkum, akshat, flowers and offerings.
- Tie the knot. Join Tulsi and Shaligram with the mauli thread, as in a wedding.
- Pheras. Carry the Shaligram around the tulsi plant seven times (many families do the pheras with the whole family), singing wedding songs or mangalashtak.
- Aarti and prasad. Perform aarti and share the prasad.
A short version for busy homes: dress Tulsi, place the Shaligram beside her, offer flowers and a lamp, tie the thread, do seven pheras, and do the aarti. Twenty minutes, done with love, is enough.
No Shaligram at home?
A small image or murti of Vishnu or Krishna can take the Shaligram's place. Many families use Laddu Gopal as the groom.
Your companion for Kartik
Tulsi Vivah & Kartik Maas 2026 covers the whole holy month in 47 pages: the Kartik 2026 calendar from Sharad Purnima to Kartik Purnima, exactly which day to fast and the parana time, Kartik snan and deepdaan, Bhishma Panchak and Dev Deepawali, the story of Tulsi, the full Tulsi Vivah ceremony with regional customs and a short version, daily tulsi puja, and the Tulsi Namashtak and Damodar Ashtakam with meaning. Every mantra in Devanagari, transliteration and English. Instant PDF, ₹199.
Using Laddu Gopal as the groom? See our guide to Laddu Gopal seva at home.
Frequently asked questions
When is Devuthani Ekadashi in 2026?
Friday 20 November 2026 for Smarta households, and Saturday 21 November for Vaishnavas. The Ekadashi tithi runs from about 7:15 AM on 20 November to 6:31 AM on 21 November (New Delhi).
When is Tulsi Vivah in 2026?
Tulsi Vivah can be performed on any day from Devuthani Ekadashi (20 November) to Kartik Purnima (24 November 2026). Most families use Ekadashi evening or Dwadashi.
What is the Devuthani Ekadashi parana time in 2026?
For the 20 November fast, parana is on 21 November, about 1:11 PM to 3:18 PM in New Delhi. Check your city's panchang.
Can Tulsi Vivah be done without a Shaligram?
Yes. A small image or murti of Vishnu or Krishna can take the Shaligram's place.
When is Kartik Purnima 2026?
Tuesday 24 November 2026. It is also Dev Deepawali and the last day for Tulsi Vivah.
Dates calculated for India (IST) and cross-checked with published panchangs. Customs vary between regions and families; follow yours.