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According to Sanatan Hindu calendar, Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is known as ‘Aja Ekadashi’. This holy date is dedicated to Lord Shri Hari Vishnu, the protector of the world. This year, there was confusion among the devotees regarding the starting and ending time of Aja Ekadashi whether the fast should be observed on 6th September or 7th September. According to the precise calculations of the Vedic calendar, Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi tithi is starting at 07:29 pm on 6 September 2026 (Sunday). This date will remain effective till 05:03 pm the next day i.e. 7th September 2026 (Monday).
According to the clear rules of the scriptures and Dharmasindhu, the date on which the sunrise occurs, the same ‘Udaya Tithi’ is considered paramount for fasting and religious rituals. Since the Ekadashi tithi will be present at the time of sunrise on the morning of 7th September, both householders and Vaishnav sects will observe the fast of Aja Ekadashi on 7th September 2026. Despite Ekadashi falling on the evening of 6th September, the resolution of fasting is not taken at night. Therefore, 7th September is the best day as per the scriptures for fasting, chanting, penance and charity.
On the day of Aja Ekadashi, there are many auspicious times from morning to afternoon for worshiping Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi:
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Ekadashi Tithi Start: 6 September 2026, 07:29 pm
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Ekadashi date ends: 7 September 2026, 05:03 pm
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Brahma Muhurta (Bathing and Meditation): September 7, from 04:31 am to 05:17 am
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Morning puja time (Amrit and auspicious Choghadiya): September 7, from 06:02 am to 09:10 am
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Abhijeet Muhurat (Best task accomplishment time): September 7, from 11:54 pm to 12:44 pm
Exact time of Parana (8 September 2026):
The most important rule of Ekadashi fast is its ‘Parana’ (breaking of the fast). Parana should be performed only before Dwadashi Tithi ends and after Harivasar time has passed. Aja Ekadashi will be performed in the morning on 8 September 2026 (Tuesday). The auspicious time of Paran on 8th September will be from 06.02 am to 08.34 am. Devotees should break their fast with satvik food, Tulsi leaves or fruits within this stipulated time limit. If Parana is not performed on Dwadashi tithi, the virtue of Ekadashi fast is considered ineffective.
Lord Shri Krishna himself had narrated the greatness of Aja Ekadashi to Dharmaraja Yudhishthir during the Mahabharata period. According to the legend, the most truthful king Harishchandra of Ayodhya had donated his entire kingdom and wealth to Maharishi Vishwamitra to protect his words. Not only this, to pay the Dakshina, he sold his wife Taramati and son Rohit and himself became the servant of a Chandal and started collecting shroud tax at the crematorium. One day, King Harishchandra, surrounded by severe sorrows and extreme poverty, was sitting very sad in the crematorium. At the same time Maharishi Gautam passed by there.
The king bowed at the feet of Maharishi and narrated his plight and asked for a solution to get relief from this terrible sorrow. Then Maharishi Gautam told him that ‘Aja Ekadashi’ falling in the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is going to remove all the sins and sufferings. He advised the king to observe this fast as per the rituals and keep vigil at night. King Harishchandra devoutly observed the Nirjala fast of Aja Ekadashi as per the orders of Maharishi and meditated on Lord Shri Hari throughout the night. Due to the divine influence of this fast, the accumulated sins of the king’s previous births were burnt away, his dead son got a new life, his estranged family was reunited and he regained his lost kingdom. It is believed that whoever observes this fast selflessly, gets the same virtue as performing Ashwamedha Yagya and after death attains Vaikuntha world.
Aja Ekadashi puja should be performed with complete sanctity in the Ishaan corner (north-east) of the house:
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Morning resolution: Maintain good conduct from the night of Dashami. On the day of Ekadashi, wake up in Brahma Muhurta and take bath with water mixed with Ganga water. Wear clean yellow clothes and offer water from a copper pot to the Sun God.
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Altar Setting: Spread a new yellow cloth on a wooden stool in the puja room. Install the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi on it. Sanctify the place by sprinkling Ganga water.
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Kalash and lamp lighting: Place a copper pot filled with water on a pile of rice (use sesame instead of Akshat) near the post. Light a lamp of pure cow’s ghee and fragrant incense sticks in front of God.
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Panchamrit bath and makeup: Give a symbolic bath to Lord Vishnu with Panchamrit (raw milk, curd, ghee, honey, Ganga water). After that, apply yellow sandalwood tilak to them, offer yellow flowers, yellow fruits, mauli, sacred thread and basil leaves. Keep in mind that Tulsi leaves are not plucked on the day of Ekadashi, hence they should be plucked and kept on the evening of Dashami.
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Offering and praise: Offer butter, sugar candy, seasonal fruits and Panjiri to the Lord. Chant Vishnu Sahasranama, ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya’ mantra 108 times.
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Katha and Aarti: Listen to the fasting story of Aja Ekadashi with devotion. Finally, burn camphor and perform aarti of Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi. Be sure to light a ghee lamp near the Tulsi plant in the evening.
During Ekadashi fast, it is mandatory to observe purity at both physical and mental levels:
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Complete abandonment of rice: In the scriptures, consumption of rice on the day of Ekadashi is considered a great sin. It is believed that eating rice on Ekadashi is as bad as eating the body parts of Maharishi Medha. Other family members should also avoid eating rice on this day.
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Prohibition of food and tamasic substances: On the day of fasting, consumption of wheat, barley, pulses, salt, garlic, onion, meat and liquor is completely prohibited.
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Fruit eating rule: Those seekers who are not able to observe Nirjala fast can consume buckwheat or water chestnut flour, sago, rock salt, milk, curd, almonds and fresh seasonal fruits.
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Restraint on speech and conduct: On this day, lying, getting angry, criticizing or gossiping about others destroys the results of the fast. Strictly follow celibacy and avoid sleeping during the day.
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Importance of charity: Before Parana on the day of Dwadashi, donate yellow clothes, food, fruits, sesame seeds and Dakshina to a Brahmin or a needy person.