Rama Ekadashi on 5 November: the Ekadashi before Diwali रमा एकादशी, 5 नवंबर: दिवाली से पहले की एकादशी
Why it is named after Lakshmi, how families keep it, and when to break the fast
Rama Ekadashi falls on Thursday 5 November this year, three days before Diwali. Rama here is a name of Lakshmi, which is why many families see this fast as a quiet way to prepare the home and the mind for the festival. A plain guide to the day, the simple ways to keep it, and how to find the right time to break the fast where you live.
- By
- DharmikVibes
- Language
- English
- Length
- 2 min
- Category
- How-to › Vrat planning & kathas
The article
Rama Ekadashi falls on Thursday 5 November this year. It is the Ekadashi of the waning moon in the month of Kartik for those who follow the purnimanta calendar, and of Ashvin for those who follow the amanta calendar. It is the same day either way, only the month name changes.
## Why the name
Most Ekadashis are named for what they bring or for a story attached to them. Rama Ekadashi is named after Rama, one of the names of Lakshmi. Coming a day before Dhanteras and three days before Diwali, it has long been seen as a day to settle the mind before the festival rush. The house is being cleaned, the lamps are being bought, and this one day of simple food and prayer gives the week a still centre.
The katha read on this day tells of a devoted princess named Chandrabhaga, her husband Shobhana, and the merit of a fast kept with faith. Many families read the katha aloud after the evening lamp.
## How families keep it
There is no single right way. These are the common ones, from the strictest to the gentlest:
- **Nirjala**, without food or water, from sunrise on Ekadashi to the parana the next morning. This is for people in good health who have kept it before. - **Phalahar**, fruit, milk and the foods your family allows on a fast, eaten once or twice. - **One simple meal** without grains and beans, which is how many elders and working people keep it.
Children, older people, anyone who is pregnant or unwell, and anyone on regular medicine should keep only the gentlest form, or simply keep the prayer and the lamp. Please ask your doctor first if you have a health condition.
Through the day, keep a lamp before Vishnu and Lakshmi, offer tulsi leaves picked the day before (tulsi is not picked on Ekadashi in many homes), and say a name you love in quiet moments.
## Breaking the fast
The fast is broken on Dvadashi, Friday 6 November, after sunrise and within the parana time given by the panchang. That same day is also Dhanteras. The parana time changes with your city, so in New York, London or Sydney please look up the time for your own city. Break it simply, with tulsi water and a little of what was offered, and then eat as usual.
More
Cite this page: DharmikVibes (2026). "Rama Ekadashi on 5 November: the Ekadashi before Diwali". DharmikStudio by DharmikVibes. https://studio.dharmikvibes.com/read/rama-ekadashi-on-5-november-the-ekadashi-before-diwali-a51206ca