You would agree that the Hindu religion is full of traditions. Almost every day is important according to the Hindu calendar and marks the significance of a ritual, festival, etc. In this article, we give you insights about Ekadashi, it’s auspicious dates, procedure, significance & benefits of Ekadashi Vrat, and various other aspects.

So, without further ado, let’s begin.

 Get your Free Online Horoscope

What is Ekadashi Vrat?

Ekadashi holds a major significance for both Hinduism and Jainism and as per the Hindu calendar, the auspicious festival is celebrated on the 11th Lunar Day of the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Combination of two words – Eka and Dashi, the term stands for ‘Eleven’ in the Sanskrit language. It’s also known as Tholi Ekadasi in some parts of India.

The festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and most individuals/devotees observe partial/complete or Nirjala (without water) fast on this day. It spans across three days in a way that – a day before the vrat, the devotees consume a single meal at the noon so that no food remains inside on the day of fasting.  

Another reason is that people believe that the water in our bodies is influenced by the lunar phases and this can lead to imbalances in the body. Abstaining from food and cleansing oneself during this time is believed to be beneficial to the body and protects from any negative influences in the body due to the lunar phases.

Significance of Ashadi and Vaikuntha Ekadashi

Ashadi Ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi falls in the month of Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon). Once this Ekadashi passes, Lord Vishnu goes into a deep meditative state (Yoga Nidra) and wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi. This year, Ashadi Ekadashi arrived on July 1, 2020, though the dates vary each year.

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi that falls on the eleventh day of the Margasira month.  Vishnu devotees believe that ‘Vaikuntha Dwaram’ aka ‘the gate to the Lord Inner Sanctum’ opened on this day. To celebrate the festival eve with great fervor, special prayers, yagnas, and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples around the world. Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2020 will be celebrated next on December 25, 2020 (Friday), and usually arrives once or twice in a year.

 Get your detailed Wealth Horoscope Report

Ekadashi Vrat 2020 Dates

The best dates to celebrate next Ekadashi Vrat this year are on August 15, 2020, & on August 29, 2020 details of which are given below: 

 

  • Date – August 15, 2020
  • Tithi – Ekadashi up to 14:14
  • Nakshatra – Mrigashirsha up to 06:33
  • Vaar – Saturday
  • Sunrise – 06:02
  • Sunset – 18:59
  • Paksha – Krishan

 

 

 

  • Date – August 29, 2020
  • Tithi – Ekadashi up to 08:18
  • Nakshatra – Purva Ashadha up to 12:57
  • Vaar – Saturday
  • Sunrise – 06:08
  • Sunset – 18:46
  • Paksha – Shukla

 

Get  your Yearly Horoscope Report 2020

What is the difference between Ekadashi Vratham/ Ekadashi Vrat?

Usually, there are 24 Ekadashi that occurs in a year, with two extra Ekadashi occurring during a leap year. Each Ekadashi has a different significance, with a list of recommended practices assumed to benefit individuals. It is a day during which, people observe a partial fast that also includes avoiding food products like beans and grains. 

The different types of Ekadashi are:

    • Safla Ekadashi
    • Putrada Ekadashi
    • Shattila Ekadashi
    • Jaya Ekadashi
    • Vijaya Ekadashi
    • Amalaki Ekadashi
    • Paapmochini Ekadashi
    • Kamada Ekadashi
    • Varuthini Ekadashi
    • Mohini Ekadashi
    • Apara Ekadashi Jyeshtha

 

  • Nirjala Ekadashi

 

  • Yogini Ekadashi Ashadha
  • Devshayani Ekadashi
  • Kamika Ekadashi
  • Pavitra Ekadashi
  • Aja Ekadashi
  • Padma Ekadashi
  • Indira Ekadashi
  • Papankusha Ekadashi
  • Rama Ekadashi
  • Devprabodhini Ekadashi
  • Utapanna Ekadashi
  • Moksha Ekadashi

Ekadashi 2020 Date List: All You Need to Know

Shukla Paksha Ekadashi 2020 Krishna Paksha Ekadashi 2020
Jan 06, 3:07 am – Jan 07, 4:02 am

Pausa Putrada Ekadashi

 Jan 20, 2:51 am – Jan 21, 2:06 am

Shat Tila Ekadashi
Feb 04, 9:49 pm – Feb 05, 9:31 pm

Jaya Ekadashi

 Feb 18, 2:33 pm – Feb 19, 3:02 pm
Mar 05, 1:19 pm – Mar 06, 11:47 am

Amalaki Ekadashi

 Mar 19, 4:26 am – Mar 20, 5:59 am

Paapmochini Ekadashi
Apr 04, 12:58 am – Apr 04, 10:30 pm

Kamada Ekadashi

 Apr 17, 8:04 pm – Apr 18, 10:17 pm

Varuthini Ekadashi
May 03, 9:09 am – May 04, 6:13 am

Mohini Ekadashi

 May 17, 12:42 pm – May 18, 3:08 pm

Apara Ekadashi
Jun 01, 2:57 pm – Jun 02, 12:04 pm

Nirjala Ekadashi

 Jun 16, 5:40 am – Jun 17, 7:50 am

Yogini Ekadashi
Jun 30, 7:49 pm – Jul 01, 5:29 pm

Shayani Ekadashi

 Jul 15, 10:19 pm – Jul 16, 11:45 pm

Kamika Ekadashi
Jul 30, 1:16 am – Jul 30, 11:50 pm

Sravana Putrada Ekadashi

 Aug 14, 2:02 pm – Aug 15, 2:20 pm

Aja Ekadashi
Aug 28, 8:38 am – Aug 29, 8:17 am

Parsva Ekadashi

 Sep 13, 4:14 am – Sep 14, 3:16 am

Indira Ekadashi
Sep 26, 7:00 pm – Sep 27, 7:46 pm

Padmini Ekadashi

 Oct 12, 4:39 pm – Oct 13, 2:36 pm

Parama Ekadashi
Oct 26, 9:00 am – Oct 27, 10:46 am

Papankusha Ekadashi

 Nov 11, 3:23 am – Nov 12, 12:41 am

Rama Ekadashi
Nov 25, 2:42 am – Nov 26, 5:10 am

Prabodhini Ekadashi

 Dec 10, 12:51 pm – Dec 11, 10:04 am

Utpanna Ekadashi
Dec 24, 11:17 pm – Dec 26, 1:54 am

Mokshada Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The 2nd brother of Pandavas, Bheem was fond of eating and failed to control his hunger which didn’t allow him to perform Ekadashi fasting with utmost sincerity like his brothers and Draupadi. He was in a fix and had the belief that by not observing Ekadashi Vrat, he’s disrespecting Lord Vishnu. To step out of his dilemma, Bheem went to Maharishi Vyasa for help who advised him to do Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat once a year and also explained to him how doing one Nirjala Vrat is equivalent to twenty-four Ekadashis of the year.

This is also one of the prime reasons why Nirjala Ekadashi also came to be known as Bhimsen Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.

How to do Ekadashi Vrat?

  • Take an early bath and wear clean clothes
  • Take a vow (Sankalp) in the temple of your house, light an oil lamp and an incense stick
  • Start meditating and invoke Lord Vishnu by chanting the mantra –

“Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”

  • Abstain from food and water the entire day and help the needy in cash or kind
  • Light an oil lamp in the evening and recite the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
  • Perform the final aarti and conclude the pooja

Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi and Ekadashi Fasting rituals

Certain food restrictions need to be followed on Ekadashi day. The longstanding rule has been that individuals must avoid peas, grains, and any type of cereals. Milk products, fruits, and root vegetables are on the list of permissible edibles. People following the Ekadashi Vratham must not consume any sort of meat, liquor, or tobacco products during the fasting period.

What edibles are permitted during Ekadashi fast?

  • Avoid consuming peas, grains, or any type of cereals.
  • You can have limited portions of milk, fruits, dry fruits, roots, and vegetables.
  • Do not pluck Tulsi leaves during Ekadashi Vrat as it is said that Lord Vishnu is offered Tulsi on Ekadashi and Dwadashi. It is forbidden in Hindu scriptures.
  • Do not use powdered asafetida (hing) in any preparation, as it generally contains grains.
  • On Ekadashi Vrat non-veg (meat, fish, eggs), mushrooms, liquor, intoxicants (cigarettes, tobacco), and other tamasic food are strictly prohibited. 

Breaking an Ekadashi Vrat fast

Ekadashi fast must be broken the next day after sunrise. If you are not on Nirjala fast, you can take grains. In Nirjala fast, you can break it with non-grain items like milk or fruits.

Who should observe Ekadashi Vrat?

Ekadashi Vrat is safe as a cleansing ritual for everyone unless any medical condition prevents you from fasting for a given period. If you have any concerns about whether Ekadashi Vrat is safe for you, please check with your doctor about your condition. As indicated by sacred writings, from the age of eight to the age of eighty, all individuals should fast on Ekadashi Vratham days.

Ekadashi Vrat Mantras

Reciting ‘Om Narayana Vidmahe, Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Thanno Vishnu Prachodayat’ is said to benefit devotees largely. It is also recommended that there be prayers during the evening, which invoke Lord Vishnu. Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra 108 times is also said to reap rich benefits and bring about a certain calming effect on the body.  

Ekadashi Vrat/Fast Benefits

Fasting on Ekadashi offers you the following benefits:

  • Regulates your fat content in the body
  • Helps you connect with yourself and enhances your awareness of the surroundings
  • You get rid of your sins to a great extent

By observing fast, you show your undying faith & love for Lord Krishna

in-depth horoscope