Shravana PutradaEkadashi
‖ 23 August 2026 (Sunday) ‖
Shravana Shukla Ekadashi — the "Putrada", the Ekadashi that grants the joy of children. Kept with a prayer for progeny and for a child's wellbeing, this fast is held all the more fruitful in the sanctity of the month of Shravan.
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Shravan — amid the devotional season of sawan and Chaturmas. Its very name tells its fruit: childless couples keep it praying for progeny, and parents keep it praying for the long life and welfare of their children. For Shyam devotees it is a special day to ask, at Baba's feet, for the blessing of children.
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The Ekadashi that grants children
The Puranas say that couples without the joy of children, keeping the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi fast with faith, receive by the grace of Vishnu the boon of progeny. "Putrada" means, literally, the giver of children. Those who already have children keep it praying for their long life and welfare.
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The glory of the month of Shravan
Sawan is the finest month for devotion to the Lord — the season of kirtan, jhulas and seva. The merit of the austerity and restraint of the Putrada Ekadashi, falling in this holy stretch of Chaturmas, is multiplied many times. Tulsi worship and recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama are held especially fruitful on this day.
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Shyam Baba and the prayer for children
Shri Khatu Shyam Ji is Krishna's own form in the age of Kali, and Ekadashi is the day dear to Vishnu-Krishna. At the court of the "support of the defeated" (Haare ka Sahara), childless devotees place their heartfelt wish — keeping the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi in remembrance of Baba is a beautiful occasion for the prayer for progeny.
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Sattvic food and restraint from the night of Dashami.
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On Ekadashi, bathe at dawn, worship Vishnu / Shyam Baba with tulsi leaves, flowers and panchamrit, and take the vow.
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Keep a fruit fast through the day — Vishnu Sahasranama, Shyam naam-japa and bhajan-kirtan.
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Pray before the Lord for the welfare / blessing of children, and make a lamp-offering (deep-daan).
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Break the fast (paran) on Dwadashi morning, giving food as you are able.
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi — FAQ
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When is Shravana Putrada Ekadashi?
Shravana Putrada Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of the month of Shravan — the next date is given at the top of this page. It is one of the two Putrada Ekadashis in the year (the other falls in the month of Pausha).
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Why is the Putrada Ekadashi fast kept?
The Putrada Ekadashi is kept in the wish for the joy of children — childless couples keep it praying for progeny, and parents keep it for the long life and welfare of their children. "Putrada" itself means the giver of children.
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How is the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi fast kept?
Restraint begins from the night of Dashami; on Ekadashi, after bathing and worship, a fruit fast is kept. The day is spent in Vishnu / Shyam naam-japa, tulsi worship and bhajan-kirtan, praying for the welfare of children, and the fast is broken (paran) on Dwadashi morning.