Ekadashi is the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight (Paksha) — occurring twice a month, once during the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) and once during the waning moon (Krishna Paksha). Considered one of the most significant fasting days in Hindu tradition, Ekadashi is dedicated primarily to Lord Vishnu and is observed by millions of families as a day of fasting, prayer, and spiritual discipline.
Significance of Ekadashi
According to Hindu scriptures, observing Ekadashi vrat helps purify the mind and body, reduce accumulated karma, and deepen one's connection to the divine. The number eleven is considered symbolically significant — representing the ten senses (five physical, five subtle) plus the mind, all of which the fast is meant to help control. Many families have observed Ekadashi for generations, often passed down from grandparents who followed it strictly throughout their lives.
Types of Ekadashi Through the Year
With 24 (sometimes 25, in a leap lunar year) Ekadashis occurring annually, each has its own name and specific significance:
Fasting Rules
General guidelines (levels of observance vary by family and individual capacity):
What to Eat & Avoid
✓ Commonly eaten
Sabudana (tapioca pearls)
Kuttu (buckwheat) and singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour)
Fruits and dry fruits
Milk, curd, and paneer
Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Rock salt (sendha namak)
✗ Avoided
Rice and wheat-based grains
Lentils (dal) and most pulses
Onion and garlic
Regular table salt
Non-vegetarian food and alcohol
Honey (in some traditions)
How to Observe Ekadashi — Step by Step
Wake before sunrise and take a bath — purification is considered essential before beginning the vrat
Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu — many families recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or Vishnu Sahastranam stotra
Begin the fast at sunrise according to the chosen level of observance (complete, fruit-only, or grain-free)
Spend the day in prayer, reading scripture (such as the Bhagavad Gita or Vishnu Purana), or meditation
Avoid sleeping during the day in stricter observances — some traditions recommend staying awake through the night (Ekadashi jagran)
Break the fast the next morning (Dwadashi) — typically after sunrise, with a simple sattvic meal
Who Should Be Cautious
Strict fasting isn't suitable for everyone — pregnant women, people with diabetes or other health conditions, elderly individuals, and young children are generally advised to follow a modified version (such as a single sattvic meal) rather than a complete fast. The spiritual intent of Ekadashi — devotion and discipline — matters more than the severity of the fast, and most traditions accommodate this flexibility.
💡 Family tradition tip
If your family has a tradition of observing a specific Ekadashi (like Ekadashi or a particular monthly one), record which family members observe it, the specific recipes used for the sattvic meal, and any stories about why this particular Ekadashi became significant for your family.
Looking for more ritual guides? See our Satyanarayan Katha guide.