Some of my friends asked me to write an article about Ekadashi Day. Find some helpful information about this kind of fast, somewhat exotic for Western culture but very effective in everyday life.
Table of Contents
What Is Ekadashi
Ekādaśī (ekāhdaśī, “Eleven”), also spelt as Ekādaśi, is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Hindu calendar month – the Sukla Paksha(the period of the brightening moon also known as the waxing phase) and the Krishna Paksha (the period of the fading moon also known as the waning phase). In other words, Ekadashi is celebrated 4 days before the Full Moon or the New Moon.
Wikipedia states that the timing of each Ekādaśī is according to the moon’s position. The Hindu calendar marks the progression from a full moon to a new moon, divided into fifteen equal arcs.
Each arc measures one lunar day and is called a tithi. The time it takes the moon to traverse a particular distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekādaśī refers to the 11th lunar day, corresponding to a distinct waxing and waning moon phase. The celestial body will be illuminated about 75% or 25% on Ekādaśī day.
General Information about Ekadashi Day
There are usually 24 Ekādaśīs in a calendar year. Occasionally, two extra ones happen in a leap year.
Each of these days is purported to have particular benefits and blessings because they are attained by performing specific activities. Fasting is one of them.
These days are described here more thoroughly. I will only mention some of them to give you an idea of what happens in the Hindu world. You can find it as an inspiration and guidance for your own life.
Intentions of Ekadashi Day Fasts according to Birthastro:
Putrada – For the blessing of a boy
Satilla – For freedom from sins and acquiring a heavenly abode.
Jaya – To gain merit by donating ten times more than offering a thousand cows to a Brahman.
Vijaya – For victory and success in all spheres of life.
Amalaki – To gain merit by donating ten times more than offering a thousand cows to a Brahman.
Papmochani – For the freedom from sins and wrongful acts.
Kamada – for the fulfilment of desires.
Varuthni – For overall happiness.
Gauna Mohini – For relief from all kinds of suffering.
Apara – For achieving name and fame.
Nirjali – For control over senses and relief from all sufferings.
Yogini – For performing pious deeds.
Devshayani Ekadashi.
Padma/ Devashyani – For Moksha (Salvation and liberation).
Kamika- For freedom from sins committed.
Aja – For gaining spiritual knowledge and higher consciousness.
Vamana, Parivartini or Parsva Ekadashi – For overall body, mind, and soul purification.
Shravana Putrada / Pavitropana – For being blessed with a child.
Indira – For liberating ancestors from the hell of Yamraj.
Padmini – For a joyous life and ultimate salvation and liberation.
Parama – helps wash away all sins and leads to the heavenly abode.
Papankusha – For fulfilment of desired and Moksha.
Rama – For elevation to higher consciousness.
Devathuna – For purification of the body and mind.
I have to add that some of the kinds listed above have exact rules for observing during the fast. Here, let’s focus on the general regulations on Ekadashi day, as the number of practices is as massive as the number of gods in Hinduism.
The Benefits of the Ekadashi Day Fast
As with any fast, you can experience the benefits of Ekadashi. Read them carefully and decide if trying this kind of fast is worth the trouble. It can be challenging at the beginning, though. Nonetheless, don’t give up.
- Body Detox
- Weight loss
- Better hydration
Recommended reading:
If you want to learn more about Ekadashi, check this book. It is inspiring for someone form Western culture. You will broaden your horizons.
Fasting on Ekadashi Day
In Hinduism and Jainism, Ekadashi day is considered a spiritual day, and people usually observe it by a partial fast that spans three days. Devotees take a single meal in the afternoon a day before the fasting day so that no residual food is found in the stomach the next day.
Then, the strict fast on Ekadashi day starts at sunrise that day and ends the next day after sunrise.
You can observe fasting without water, with only water, with only fruits, and with one-time latex food according to your will and body power. However, it should be decided before starting the fast.
Therefore, you should not eat all grains and cereals during Ekadashi fasting. You are not allowed to consume beans and grains because, according to the Hindus and the Jainists, they are believed to be contaminated by sin.
Recommended reading:
Dates
Every year, I update this article so you have the earliest dates for this festival. For 2024, here is the current list of dates.
To practise Ekadashi properly, do not forget to check the local times of sunrise on a given day.
A few websites state the days and times of Ekadashi on the Internet. I have chosen a calendar published on Drokpang. and hindustantimes.com.
Find an Ekadashi Day in 2025
18 January 2025
25 January
8 February
24th February
10 March
25 March
8 April
24 April
8 May
23 May
6 June
7 June
21 June
22 June
6 July
21 July
5 July
19 August
3 September
17 September
3 October
17 October
2 November
15 November
1 December
30 December
31 December
Other Important Information about Ekasashi Day
Ekādaśī is different for Vaishnavites and Smarthas. Check by clicking the link above for more information.
According to Kala Prakashika, a Jyotish text discussing auspicious times for beginning an activity (“Muhurta”), the Ekādaśī fast is performed on a day which is not touched or ruined by any influence of the tenth lunar day. The cut-off time is 96 minutes before sunrise.
If the tenth day ends just 96 minutes before sunrise, people celebrate it as Ekādaśī. However, in the case of incomplete at 96 minutes before sunrise, the Ekādaśī fast is performed the following day.
On the other hand, Birthastro distinguishes three kinds of fast:
- Sajala Ekadashi – to fast on water and juice,
- Nirjala Ekadashi – to fast without water,
- Farali Ekadashi – To consume only fruits and milk.
Ekadashi Vrat
Masters recommend Ekadashi fasting on two consecutive days. Smartha and with family should observe fasting on the first day only. In turn, Sanyasis, widows and those who want Moksha should observe the alternate Ekadashi fasting. Staunch devotees who seek the love and affection of Lord Vishnu observe both dates.
Significance
It might sound a bit exotic to us in the Western world.
However, there is a good point in having a remarkable day every two weeks. It can be Ekadashi, not necessarily for worshipping Hindu gods, but for increasing general spirituality.
You will also have time to reflect on your life and an opportunity to cleanse your body.
Meditate
Combining fast and meditation can be very beneficial because focusing on the Source and Higher Beings of Light is easier when your body is not preoccupied with food. It does not mean to be sad or suffer deliberately.
Instead, travel with your mind and astral body to the happy memory, then cleanse yourself under the waterfall and recharge with the energy of Mother Earth.
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In A Nutshell
Today, I have familiarised you with Ekadashi day, which the Hindus worship. It is celebrated on the eleventh day after each New Moon and Full Moon when people fast for one to two days. Good luck with finding your own, memorable day. Maybe Ekadashi? With lots of love and light,
Vicky Yang
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Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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