I live in the USA, UK or Australia — is my Ekādaśī the same day as in India?

not always; Ekādaśī is fixed by the tithi at your local sunrise, so use a panchang for your own city.

A tithi begins at the same instant everywhere on earth, but the day you observe it depends on which tithi is running at your local sunrise. Because sunrise in New York or London happens hours after sunrise in India, Ekādaśī can fall a day earlier or later than the Indian date, and pāraṇa times are completely different.

So do not copy the Indian calendar or a relative’s WhatsApp message. Use a panchang calculated for your city; Chiluka’s Today page and many temple calendars abroad do this. Local Hindu temples in your area usually publish the correct dates and pāraṇa times too.

At high latitudes in summer, where sunrise is very early or nights very short, follow your local temple or a panchang that handles it, and keep the fast in a way your health and work allow. If your situation is specific, Ask Chiluka.

Rule: tithi at local sunrise · Source: Nirṇayasindhu (udaya-tithi principle)

Dharma Q&A — vratas, festivals & temples · Ask a Jyotishi your own question