Apara Ekadashi 2027 falls on Tuesday, 1 June 2027, and in Dubai the fast is broken (parana) on Wednesday 2 June between 5:29 AM and 6:58 AM. The Ekadashi tithi runs from 8:32 AM on 31 May to 8:09 AM on 1 June. Apara Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Jyeshtha (Vaishakha in the Amanta calendar) and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also known as Achala Ekadashi.
Every time on this page is Gulf Standard Time for Dubai, and it holds for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman within a few minutes. Indian panchang apps show times about an hour and a half later on the clock, so use the UAE figures here when you plan your fast.
Apara Ekadashi 2027 at a glance
- Vrat date: Tuesday, 1 June 2027
- Ekadashi tithi begins (Dubai): 8:32 AM, 31 May 2027
- Ekadashi tithi ends (Dubai): 8:09 AM, 1 June 2027
- Parana (fast-breaking) time: Wednesday 2 June 2027, 5:29 AM to 6:58 AM
- Dwadashi ends: 6:58 AM on 2 June 2027
- Observed on: Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi (Purnimanta)
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What is Apara Ekadashi?
The word "Apara" means limitless or boundless, and the day is traditionally described as one that carries boundless merit for the devotee who keeps it with sincerity. In the account recorded in the Brahma Purana, Lord Krishna describes the greatness of this Ekadashi to Yudhishthira.
The name changes with the region. In Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir it is observed as Bhadrakali Ekadashi, with prayers to Goddess Bhadrakali, and in Odisha it is known as Jalakrida Ekadashi in honour of Lord Jagannath.
The story of Apara Ekadashi
The traditional story tells of a virtuous king, Mahidhwaja, who was wronged by his unkind younger brother. After his death his restless spirit lingered near a peepal tree and troubled those who passed by.
A wandering sage calmed the spirit, listened to his story and kept the Apara Ekadashi fast, then offered its merit to the king. The tale is told to remind us that kindness, forgiveness and devotion matter more than anything we hold on to in anger.
How to observe the Apara Ekadashi vrat
The vrat begins at sunrise on 1 June and is broken after sunrise on 2 June, inside the parana window of 5:29 AM to 6:58 AM in Dubai. Dwadashi ends at 6:58 AM, so the fast should be broken before then. This is a tighter window than usual, so set an alarm the night before.
- Bathe early on 1 June, wear clean clothes and take a simple sankalp for the fast.
- Place an image of Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi Narayana on a clean cloth and light a ghee lamp.
- Offer flowers, tulsi leaves, chandan and incense, and a little fruit as naivedyam.
- Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, or listen to the Vrat Katha.
- Close the evening with aarti using camphor, then keep the rest of the day calm and free of harsh words.
- On 2 June, bathe, offer a short prayer and break the fast between 5:29 AM and 6:58 AM.
Your family or community tradition always comes first. Fasting is a personal choice: some families keep a fruit-and-milk fast, some keep water only, and others simply avoid grains and beans. Anyone with a health condition, pregnant or elderly should follow their own doctor's advice and keep the fast in a form that suits them.
What you need
- An image of Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi Narayana
- A ghee lamp, wicks and incense
- Chandan for the tilak
- Camphor for the aarti
- Tulsi leaves, flowers and fruit for the offering
Pooja essentials are in our Pooja Samagri range, and the daily pooja collection covers lamps and plates.
The Apara Ekadashi essentials
A lamp, tilak and camphor - the three things you will reach for first.
Apara Ekadashi in the UAE
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman have many families who keep Ekadashi, often together with a Vishnu satsang or Sahasranama path. Programmes vary each year, so ask your local group or temple for its plans. For temple locations, see our guide to Hindu temples in the UAE.
Tuesday is a working day in the UAE. The UAE work week runs Monday to Friday, so the fast on 1 June is kept alongside office hours. Many people keep a light fruit-and-milk fast and do the main puja in the evening. The parana on Wednesday 2 June opens at 5:29 AM and closes at 6:58 AM, so plan to break the fast at home before leaving for work.
Lamps in apartments. Use a small diya on a metal plate, keep it away from curtains, and check your building rules on open flames and incense.
Frequently asked questions
When is Apara Ekadashi 2027 in the UAE?
Tuesday, 1 June 2027. The Ekadashi tithi runs from 8:32 AM on 31 May to 8:09 AM on 1 June in Dubai.
What is the Apara Ekadashi parana time in Dubai?
Wednesday, 2 June 2027, between 5:29 AM and 6:58 AM. Dwadashi ends at 6:58 AM, so break the fast before then.
Why do the Dubai timings differ from Indian listings?
Tithi timings are calculated against local sunrise, and Gulf Standard Time is an hour and a half behind India. A time taken from an Indian listing will not match the UAE window, so use the Dubai figures given here.
Do the timings change for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ajman?
Only by a few minutes. The Dubai figure is the one to follow across the UAE.
Which deity is worshipped on Apara Ekadashi?
Lord Vishnu, together with Goddess Lakshmi. Tulsi leaves are a traditional offering. In some regions the day is also marked with prayers to Goddess Bhadrakali.
Why is it also called Achala Ekadashi?
Achala means steady or unmoving. The name is traditionally linked to the steadiness of devotion that the fast encourages.
Do I have to fast completely?
No. Fasting is a personal choice and follows family tradition. Many people keep a light fruit-and-milk fast, and a calm puja with prayer is a complete way to mark the day. If you have a health condition, follow your doctor's advice.
Can I eat grains on Ekadashi?
Traditionally grains and beans are avoided on Ekadashi and eaten again at parana. Follow what your family practises.
For every festival date with Dubai timings, visit the Divine Sansar Hindu Calendar.
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