In the yearly round of Viṣṇu names given to the bright Dvādaśīs, Bhādrapada's is Kalki. This is the busiest Dvādaśī of the year, because the same sunrise also carries Vāmana Jayantī, the avatāra day with its madhyāhna pūjā. When Śravaṇa nakṣatra is running as well, it becomes Śravaṇa Dvādaśī, whose fast falls on this day itself. Kalki remains the monthly name through all of these, and the others are separate observances. How the day is fixed: The day is the one on which Bhādrapada Śukla Dvādaśī stands at local sunrise, normally the morning after Parivartinī Ekādaśī. Keep in mind: Whether Śravaṇa nakṣatra joins this Dvādaśī depends on the year and the place, so read the pañcāṅga for your own town. If Bhādrapada is adhika, that month's Dvādaśī is printed as Adhika Kalki Dvādaśī. This year: The 2026 date shown here is worked out from sunrise at the place you chose, so in another city the same day can fall a day earlier or later. Pāraṇa or fast: In an ordinary year this morning closes the Parivartinī Ekādaśī fast, within Dvādaśī and outside Hari Vāsara. When Śravaṇa nakṣatra joins the tithi, many keep the Śravaṇa Dvādaśī fast on this day instead. Worship of Viṣṇu: A household Viṣṇu pūjā is done, taking the month's name, Kalki. Families who keep Vāmana Jayantī hold its pūjā at madhyāhna on the same day. Worth remembering: Kalki Dvādaśī, Vāmana Jayantī and Śravaṇa Dvādaśī can share one sunrise, but they are three separate observances. Kalki is only the monthly name, the Jayantī is the avatāra day, and Śravaṇa Dvādaśī is the fast kept when the nakṣatra joins. Which of these a household marks depends on its own line. Some close the Ekādaśī and do a simple pūjā, some centre the day on Vāmana Jayantī, and some keep the Śravaṇa Dvādaśī fast when the nakṣatra allows. Follow what the elders of your own house have kept.
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