Ashadhi Ekadashi & Pandharpur Wari 2026

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Ashadhi Ekadashi 2026 falls on Saturday, 25 July, and for millions across Maharashtra, this single day marks the end of a journey that begins weeks earlier. Also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, it is the day Lord Vitthal's devotees, the Warkaris, complete the Pandharpur Wari, walking hundreds of kilometres behind the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram to reach the Vitthal Rukmini Temple in Pandharpur. Lord Vitthal, also known as Vithoba or Panduranga, has drawn devotees on this walk for over 700 years, and 2026 is no exception. Whether you're planning to join the Wari, want to understand why it matters, or simply wish to observe Ashadhi Ekadashi 2026 from home, this guide covers everything: the exact Ashadi Ekadashi date 2026, the full Pandharpur Wari schedule 2026 for both major palkhis, the key rituals performed at Pandharpur, and a practical Pandharpur travel guide for one of the world's largest annual pilgrimages. What Is Ashadhi Ekadashi? Meaning and Significance Ekadashi is the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight in the Hindu calendar and is considered especially sacred to Lord Vishnu. There are two Ekadashis every month: one during the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) and one during the waning moon (Krishna Paksha). Devotees traditionally observe a fast (upavas) on both occasions. Ashadhi Ekadashi falls on the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of the Hindu month of Ashadha, which usually corresponds to late June or July in the Gregorian calendar. It is also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, derived from Dev (god) and Shayan (sleep), as it marks the day Lord Vishnu is believed to enter Yoga Nidra, a deep cosmic sleep while reclining on the serpent Shesha Naga in the Ocean of Milk. In most parts of India, Devshayani Ekadashi is observed primarily as a day of fasting and prayer. In Maharashtra, however, it holds a much larger cultural and spiritual significance. Here, Ashadhi Ekadashi marks the culmination of the Pandharpur Wari, the annual pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Vitthal, during which lakhs of Warkaris walk for weeks to reach Pandharpur and seek the deity's blessings. Devshayani Ekadashi and the Beginning of Chaturmas Ashadhi Ekadashi also marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the four sacred months during which Lord Vishnu is believed to remain in cosmic rest. This period lasts until Prabodhini (Kartiki) Ekadashi, typically observed in November. During Chaturmas, many Hindu families avoid major ceremonies such as weddings, follow simpler diets, and place greater emphasis on daily prayer and spiritual practices. For Warkaris, Chaturmas begins with the completion of darshan at Pandharpur. After weeks of walking to the holy town, the return journey home reflects the contemplative and devotional spirit that defines the months ahead. Ashadhi Ekadashi 2026: Date, Tithi & Key Wari Dates Here's the complete Ashadi Ekadashi date 2026 breakdown, along with the major milestones of the Pandharpur Wari 2026 that lead up to it. Event 2026 Date / Time Ekadashi Tithi Begins 24 July 2026, 9:13 AM Ashadhi Ekadashi (Devshayani Ekadashi) Saturday, 25 July 2026 Ekadashi Tithi Ends 25 July 2026, 11:34 AM Mahapuja at Vitthal Rukmini Temple Early morning (around 2:00 AM), 25 July 2026 Parana (Fast-Breaking Window) 26 July 2026, 5:58 AM – 8:36 AM Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Departs Dehu 7 July 2026 Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Departs Alandi 8 July 2026 (Jyeshtha Vadya Ashtami) Both Palkhis Arrive in Pandharpur 24 July 2026 Palkhis Remain in Pandharpur 25–28 July 2026 Return Journey (Paratiyatra) Begins 29 July 2026 Tithi timings are calculated for Pandharpur based on sunrise, so exact start and end times can shift slightly depending on your location's panchang. As with all panchang-based festivals, it's worth checking a local panchang closer to the date, since temple committees occasionally revise the Palkhi schedule.