Ekadasi

Ekadasi (Sanskrit: ekādaśī) is a Hindu observance held on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight. The name means “eleventh day.” It is widely associated with devotion to Vishnu, although some traditions within Shaivism and Smarta practices also observe Ekadasi.

Timing and frequency: There are two Ekadasis in every lunar month—the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi (the eleventh day of the waxing moon) and the Krishna Paksha Ekadasi (the eleventh day of the waning moon). Over the year there are about 24 Ekadasis, with regional calendar variations.

Practices: Fasting is the central observance, but practices vary widely. Some devotees fast from dawn to the next dawn; others observe partial fasts, avoiding grains and sometimes all cereals, or eating only one meal. Nirjala Ekadasi refers to a stricter no-water fast in some traditions. Many observers refrain from onions and garlic, especially within Vaishnava communities. Devotional activities often include temple visits, puja, singing or reciting Vishnu-related scriptures, and sharing prasad.

End of the fast: The fast is typically broken after moonrise or sighting the moon, with a meal considered prasadam. The exact timing and rituals for ending the fast vary by regional practice and household tradition.

Significance: Ekadasi is regarded as an auspicious time for purification, self-discipline, and spiritual merit, with the potential to aid spiritual progress and, in some beliefs, liberation (moksha). In Vaishnavism, the day is especially linked to Vishnu and is described in various Puranas and religious texts; regional lore sometimes assigns special names and legends to particular Ekadasis.