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Devotees can decide the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp according to their will power and physical strength. In religious texts four types of Ekadashi fasting has been mentioned.
1. Jalahar (जलाहर) i.e. Ekadashi fasting with only water. Most devotees observer this fasting during Nirjala Ekadashi. However devotees can observe it on all Ekadashi fasting.
2. Ksheerbhoji (क्षीरभोजी) i.e. Ekadashi fasting on Ksheer. Ksheer refers to milk and milky juice of plants. But in Ekadashi context it should be all products made of milk.
3. Phalahari (फलाहारी) i.e. Ekadashi fasting on fruits only. One should consume only high class of fruits like mango, grapes, banana, almond, and pistachios etc. and should not eat leafy vegetables.
4. Naktabhoji (नक्तभोजी) i.e. having single meal in a day just before sunset. Single meal should not have any variety of grains and cereals including beans, wheat, rice and pulses which are forbidden during Ekadashi fasting.
Staple diet for Naktabhoji during Ekadashi fasting includes Sabudana, Singhada (Water caltrop and also known as Chestnut), Shakarkandi, Potatoes and Groundnuts.
For many Kuttu Atta (BuckWheat Flour) and Samak (Millet Rice) is also staple diet during single Ekadashi meal. However validity of both items as Ekadashi food is debatable as those are considered semi-grains or pseudo grains. It is better to avoid these items during fasting.
Since years we get queries related to Ekadashi fasting across the globe. Although, for someone born in religious Hindu family, such queries might look basic but there are Lord Vishnu devotees who get confused with basic Ekadashi timings given on Drik Panchang to observe Ekadashi Vrat.
These are Tithi timings given in Panchang (just similar to weekdays Sunday, Monday, etc. which begins at midnight and ends at next midnight) and help to decide the correct date to observe Ekadashi fasting. As Ekadashi Tithi might begin at any time of the day and mostly split over two days, on the basis of these timings one day is preferred over the other to observe fasting. Once you have fasting date you don't need them and we list them just for information. These timings are not needed to observe fasting.
No. As we mentioned above Tithi begin time is not needed for Ekadashi fasting. Ekadashi fasting always begins with Sunrise and mostly ends after next day Sunrise. Ekadashi is usually 24 hours fasting observed form local Sunrise to next Sunrise.
Having said that, it is also important to mention that devotees skip dinner made of all sorts of grains on previous night to avoid any residual food/grain in stomach when they begin fasting with Sunrise. In other words some devotees begin Ekadashi fast with sunset on previous day as per their devotion to Lord Vishnu.
When we list two dates for Ekadashi, to keep it simple, you take the first date and observe the fast for single day. First date is preferred over the second date when you decide to keep the fast for single day only. It is quite normal to have single day fasting even it is listed for two consecutive dates. If one has stamina, one can keep the fast for two days.
You begin the fast with local Sunrise which continues to next Sunrise. However fast is not always broken with next Sunrise. To get the full credit of fasting, Ekadashi fast is broken at an appropriate time after next day Sunrise which might prolong the fasting up to afternoon and beyond. Hence one can notice that for few fasting Parana time (i.e. time to break the fast) on next day is during lunch time.
Hari Vasara time is prohibited to break Ekadashi fast. If one cannot continue fasting till noon or in case of urgency one can break the fast, after Hari Vasara ends. However more appropriate time is after few hours of Hari Vasara end time.
Many people observe Ekadashi Vrat as well as Pradosh Vrat. Usually there is a gap of single day between Ekadashi and Pradosh fasting. However, many times they are observed on two consecutive days. Many devotees want to know how to break Ekadashi fast on the next day when Pradosh is getting observed on the same day. It is suggested to do symbolic Ekadashi Parana with only water and continue the Pradosh without actually breaking the fast. Although seems difficult but it is quite normal in Hinduism to fast on two consecutive days.
In Hindu religious texts, Ekadashi fast has been described as the most sacred and fruitful fast. The fast of Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. If for some reason the fast is broken, then one should seek forgiveness while worshiping Him. Atone for your mistake and resolve not to repeat that mistake in future. The following deeds can be done for atonement.
Following solutions can be taken if Ekadashi fast is broken -
मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन।
यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्ण तदस्तु मे॥
ॐ श्री विष्णवे नमः। क्षमा याचनाम् समर्पयामि॥
Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Janardana।
Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurna Tadastu Me॥
Om Shri Vishnave Namah| Kshama Yachanam Samarpayami॥
Fasting and worship etc. are completely a matter of reverence and devotion. Therefore, even if you commit any mistake during the fast due to ignorance, have full faith in your deity and apologize to him. There is no need to be afraid but do not behave arbitrarily during the fast under laziness and carelessness. Lord Shri Hari Vishnu is completely aware of the feelings of all living beings and provides results accordingly.
Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Hindu Panchang, the Ekadashi falling during the Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month is known as Nirjala Ekadashi. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Nirjala Ekadashi fast currently falls in the month of May or June. Nirjala Ekadashi falls just after Ganga Dussehra but in some years, Ganga Dussehra and Nirjala Ekadashi might fall on the same day.
Among all Ekadashi observed throughout the year, Nirjala Ekadashi is considered the most significant. A fast observed without drinking water is known as a Nirjala Vrat, and the Nirjala Ekadashi fast is undertaken without consuming any food or water. Due to its rigorous observance, Nirjala Ekadashi is regarded as the most difficult among all Ekadashi fasts. While observing Nirjala Ekadashi, devotees abstain not only from food but also from water. This is the reason why it is known as Nirjala Ekadashi.
Scholars are of the opinion that those devotees who are unable to observe all twenty-four Ekadashi fasts during the year should observe only Nirjala Ekadashi, as the merits obtained from observing Nirjala Ekadashi are believed to be equivalent to those acquired by observing all other Ekadashi. The following reference regarding Nirjala Ekadashi is found in the Mahabharata -
वृषस्थे मिथुनस्थेऽर्के शुक्ला ह्येकादशी भवेत्।
ज्येष्ठे मासि प्रयत्नेन सोपोष्या जलवर्जिता॥
स्नाने चाचमने चैव वर्जयेन्नोदकं बुधः।
संवत्सरस्य या मध्ये एकादश्यो भवन्त्युत॥
तासां फलमवाप्नोति अत्र मे नास्ति संशयः।
Vrishasthe Mithunasthearke Shukla Hyekadashi Bhavet।
Jyeshthe Masi Prayatnena Soposhya Jalavarjita॥
Snane Chachamane Chaiva Varjayennodakam Budhah।
Samvatsarasya Ya Madhye Ekadashyo Bhavantyuta॥
Tasam Phalamavapnoti Atra Me Nasti Sanshayah।
This means that this fast is observed on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi. As the name Nirjala indicates, this fast is to be observed without water. Therefore, if this fast is observed in accordance with its name and prescribed rules, it not only bestows heavenly rewards but also promotes longevity and good health. According to Sage Vyasa, it is certainly true that if one is unable to observe all the Ekadashi fasts in a year, including those falling during Adhika Masa, then observing only Nirjala Ekadashi grants the complete merit of all of them. Devotees observing the Nirjala fast should not consume even a drop of water, except for the minimal amount required for Achamana when in a state of ritual impurity. If water is consumed in any manner, the fast is considered broken.
After observing the Nirjala fast according to the prescribed rules, one should bathe on Dwadashi Tithi and, according to one's capacity, donate gold and a water-filled Kalasha before taking food. By doing so, one obtains merits equivalent to those gained from bathing and making charitable donations at all sacred pilgrimage sites.
Due to the Puranic legend associated with Nirjala Ekadashi, it is also known as Pandava Ekadashi, Bhimaseni Ekadashi, or Bhima Ekadashi. Among the Pandavas, Bhimasena, the second brother, was exceedingly fond of food and was unable to control his hunger. For this reason, he was unable to observe Ekadashi fasts. Apart from Bhima, all the other Pandava brothers and Draupadi observed every Ekadashi fast throughout the year with great devotion and faith. Bhimasena was troubled by this helplessness and weakness. He felt that by not observing the Ekadashi fast, he was showing disrespect to Lord Vishnu. In order to resolve this dilemma, Bhimasena approached Sage Vyasa. Sage Vyasa then advised Bhimasena to observe only one Nirjala Ekadashi fast each year and explained that Nirjala Ekadashi bestows merits equal to those obtained from observing all twenty-four Ekadashi of the year. It is because of this Puranic account that Nirjala Ekadashi became renowned as Bhimaseni Ekadashi and Pandava Ekadashi.
To observe the Nirjala Ekadashi fast, after completing the daily morning rituals and remembering Lord Vishnu, one should take the following Sankalpa -
मम कायिक-वाचिक-मानसिक-सकलपापक्षयपूर्वक श्रीविष्णुप्रीत्यर्थं
सर्वैकादशीफलप्राप्तये निर्जला-एकादशी-व्रतमहं करिष्ये।
Mama Kayika-Vachika-Manasika-Sakalapapakshayapurvaka Shrivishnuprityartham
Sarvaikadashiphalapraptaye Nirjala-Ekadashi-Vratamaham Karishye।
Meaning - "For the destruction of all my physical, verbal, and mental sins, for the pleasure of Lord Shri Vishnu, and for attaining the merits of all Ekadashi observances, I will undertake the Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat."
Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat Katha related to Maharishi Vyasa and Bhimsena has been described. Shaunaka and 88 thousand sages had heard this story from Suta Ji. To know the glory of Nirjala Ekadashi fast, one should recite this story.
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A complete list of Ekadashi dates is given here. Go through the Ekadashi fasting dates list here so that you never miss fasting on Ekadashi. Ekadashi fast is observed with great enthusiasm by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
ISKCON devotees can get the complete list of ISKCON Ekadashi fasting dates here. This list will prove highly informative and useful to those who observe the fast of Ekadashi as per the ISKCON.
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Ekadashi Vrat Parana Vidhi as described in religious texts is given on this page. Breaking or completing the fast called Parana. On this day, devotees conclude their fast by doing Brahmin Bhoja, Pujan, Havan etc. religious activities.
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