Bhishma Ekadasi
In the Mahabharata, the great warrior Bhishma lies on a bed of arrows, waiting for the right time to die. Before he leaves, he teaches the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. Hindus remember this moment on Bhishma Ekadasi, a day of fasting and prayer in the month of Magha. Many people spend the day chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama, the hymn of Vishnu’s thousand names.
Our older post on this day was short and mixed up its meaning and month. We have rewritten it with checked facts, simple words and the latest dates.
Table of Contents
What Is Bhishma Ekadasi?
Bhishma Ekadasi, also spelt Bhishma Ekadashi, is a Hindu holy day in honour of Lord Vishnu and the warrior Bhishma. It falls on the eleventh lunar day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Magha. It is also known as Jaya Ekadashi or Bhaimi Ekadashi.
“Ekadashi” means “the eleventh day” in Sanskrit. In the Hindu calendar, every lunar month has two Ekadashis. One comes in the waxing half of the moon, and one comes in the waning half. So there are usually 24 Ekadashis in a year. Each has its own name and story. Ekadashi days are mainly kept by followers of Vishnu. In the bright half of the month, the moon is about three quarters full when Ekadashi begins.
When Is Bhishma Ekadasi?
Magha usually falls in January or February. Because the Hindu calendar follows the moon, the English date changes every year.
- 2026: Bhishma Ekadasi was on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
- 2027: Panchang listings place it on Wednesday, 17 February 2027. The fast is broken after sunrise on 18 February.
Our older post said the day always comes in January. As the dates above show, it can also fall in February.
Who Was Bhishma?
Bhishma is one of the greatest heroes of the Mahabharata. He was born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. He was the crown prince of the Kuru kingdom. He is also called Pitamaha, meaning grandfather, and Gangaputra, meaning son of Ganga. Read about a festival of the holy river in our post on Ganga Dussehra.
The Terrible Vow
Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of a fisherman chief. Her father agreed to the marriage only if her son would become king. To make his father happy, Devavrata gave up his right to the throne. He also vowed never to marry, so that no child of his could claim the throne.
This vow was so hard that people began to call him Bhishma. The name means “one who took a terrible vow”. The epic says the gods showered flowers from heaven when he made it. Pleased by his son’s sacrifice, Shantanu gave him a special boon. Bhishma could choose the time of his own death.
Guardian of the Kuru Family
Bhishma guided several kings of Hastinapura as their chief adviser. He arranged the marriages of the princes Pandu and Dhritarashtra. He also watched over their children, the five Pandavas and the hundred Kauravas, as they grew up. When the family quarrelled, he often tried to make peace. Still, his loyalty to the throne made him fight on the Kaurava side in the war.
The Bed of Arrows
Bhishma served the Kuru throne all his life. In the Kurukshetra war, he led the Kaurava army for the first ten days. On the tenth day, Arjuna struck him with many arrows, with the help of Shikhandi. Bhishma fell and lay on a bed of arrows.
Because of his boon, he did not die at once. He waited for Uttarayana, the time when the sun starts moving north in the sky. Hindus see this as a holy time to leave the body. While he waited, he gave advice to the Pandavas on duty, justice and how a king should rule.
The Gift of the Vishnu Sahasranama
As Bhishma lay on the arrows, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, asked him a question. What should a person chant to find freedom from the cycle of birth and death? In answer, Bhishma taught the Vishnu Sahasranama.
“Sahasra” means thousand, and “nama” means name. So the hymn is a list of a thousand names of Vishnu. The most popular version appears in the Anushasana Parva, a book of the Mahabharata. It is one of the most loved hymns in Hinduism. Great teachers like Adi Shankara wrote commentaries on it. Other versions of the hymn appear in the Padma, Skanda and Garuda Puranas. Its closing verses say that those who read it daily with devotion gain fame, wealth and knowledge.
Tradition links Bhishma Ekadasi with this teaching. Many believe this is the day Bhishma gave the hymn to the Pandavas. So people chant or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama on this day.
Bhishma Ashtami and Bhishma Ekadasi
Three days before Bhishma Ekadasi comes Bhishma Ashtami. It falls on the eighth lunar day of the bright half of Magha. It marks the day Bhishma chose to leave his body. The Ekadashi that follows came to be named after him.
On Bhishma Ashtami, people perform a Shraddha rite in his honour. They go to river banks and offer water, called tarpana, for his peace. Many also honour their own ancestors in the same way. Some take a holy dip in the Ganga and offer boiled rice and sesame seeds. This day is observed in Bengal and parts of south India.
How People Observe Bhishma Ekadasi
Prayer and Chanting
Devotees wake up early, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu. They chant or listen to the Vishnu Sahasranama. Many visit temples of Vishnu and his forms, such as Krishna. See our list of top 11 Lord Krishna temples in India.
Fasting
Fasting is a key part of every Ekadashi. The main aim is to control the mind and senses and turn them towards prayer. The Bhagavata Purana tells of King Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu, who kept the Ekadashi fast. A strict Ekadashi fast covers three days:
- Dashami (the tenth day): Devotees eat a single meal in the afternoon.
- Ekadashi (the eleventh day): They keep the fast.
- Dwadashi (the twelfth day): They break the fast after sunrise.
People choose a fast that suits their health and lifestyle. Common types include:
- Nirjala: no food and no water at all.
- Jalahar: only water.
- Ksheerbhoji: only milk and milk products.
- Phalahari: only fruits.
- Naktabhoji: one meal, usually later in the day, made with foods like sabudana, sweet potato, potato and groundnuts.
Whatever the type, Ekadashi meals avoid grains such as rice, wheat and millets. Pulses like dal and beans are also avoided.
A Note on Fasting and Health
This is general information, not medical advice. A strict fast, especially one without water, is not safe for everyone. People with diabetes, heart problems or other health conditions should talk to a doctor before fasting. The same applies to pregnant women, the elderly and anyone on regular medicines. A milder fast is a good choice for many people.
The Story of Ekadashi
A legend explains how Ekadashi got its name. Once, while Lord Vishnu was resting, a demon named Murdanav came to attack him. A beautiful woman sprang forth from Vishnu and fought the demon. She killed him in battle.
When Vishnu awoke, he was pleased. He named the woman Ekadashi and blessed her. He said that those who fast on this day and control their senses would gain moksha, or freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
Another well known Ekadashi is Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Read about it in our post on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Lessons From Bhishma’s Life
Bhishma is remembered for his sacrifice, loyalty and sense of duty. He gave up a throne and a family life for his father’s happiness. Even in pain on the battlefield, he shared his wisdom with others. In some homes, parents make offerings in his name, hoping their sons will grow up with similar virtues.
What We Changed From the Old Post
- The old post said the day marks “the unification of Lord Vishnu with the supreme soul”. That is not its meaning. Tradition links it to Bhishma teaching the Vishnu Sahasranama, and to his death three days earlier.
- It said the day always falls in January. It falls in Magha, which can be January or February.
- We fixed “Mosha” to “moksha” and “enchanting” to “chanting”.
- We removed the claim that fasting cleanses the body of negative thoughts, and added a health note instead.
- We added Bhishma’s story, the Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhishma Ashtami, the types of fasts and the 2026 and 2027 dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bhishma Ekadasi in 2027?
Panchang listings place it on Wednesday, 17 February 2027.
Is Bhishma Ekadasi the same as Jaya Ekadashi?
Yes. The Ekadashi of the bright half of Magha is known as Jaya Ekadashi, Bhaimi Ekadashi and Bhishma Ekadasi.
What is chanted on Bhishma Ekadasi?
Devotees chant the Vishnu Sahasranama, the hymn of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu.
Why is it called Bhishma Ekadasi?
Bhishma left his body on Magha Shukla Ashtami. The Ekadashi three days later was named in his honour, and it is linked to his teaching of the Vishnu Sahasranama.
What foods are avoided on Ekadashi?
Grains like rice and wheat, and pulses like dal and beans, are avoided.