Aja Ekadashi

Story of Aja Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

The truthful King Harishchandra lost his kingdom to keep his word, sold his wife Taramati and son Rohitashva and was working for a keeper of a cremation ground. When his son died of a snake bite, he still did his duty without complaint. Sage Gautama told him to keep Aja Ekadashi in Bhadrapada. He did, and the gods were pleased. His son came back to life, he was given back his kingdom, and truth was honoured through all the ages.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Aja Ekadashi

Aja means "unborn", a name of Vishnu. In some places it is called Annada Ekadashi. It falls in the dark half before Pitru Paksha.

The tradition says that keeping Aja Ekadashi gives recovery from hardship and the return of what was lost. It falls in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Shravana Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Aja Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.