Aja Ekadashi is the ekadashi that is celebrated during the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) according to the Hindu month of ‘Bhadrapada’. As per the English calendar it falls between the months of August-September. This ekadashi is also fondly known by the name of ‘Ananda Ekadashi’. Aja Ekadashi is observed in the month of ‘Bhadrapada’ in northern regions of India, while in other regions of the nation, it comes in the Hindu month of ‘Shravana’. The Aja Ekadashi  is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, His wife. Hindus believe this vrat to be most significant of all. Aja Ekadashi is observed with complete zeal and devotion all over the country.

Important Timings On Aja Ekadashi 2024

Aja Ekadashi: Thursday, August 29, 2024 To On 30th August
Paran (breaking the fast) - From 08:15 am 11:33 am
Dwadashi ends on the day of Paran Tithi - 01:38 a.m.
Ekadashi date starts - August 29, 2024 at 01:17 am
Ekadashi date ends - August 30, 2024 at 01:28 am

Rituals of Aja Ekadashi 2024

On this day followers take a fast in the honour of their deity, Lord Vishnu. The observer of this vrat should also take ‘satvik’ food even a day before, that is on ‘dashami’ (10th day),   to free the mind from kind of negativities.

The followers of the Aja Ekadashi vrat must wake up during sunrise on the day and then take a bath with mud and sesame seeds. The place for puja must be clean. On an auspicious place, rice should be kept, over which the sanctified ‘kalash’ should be placed. The mouth of this kalsah should be covered with red cloth and an idol of Lord Vishnu is placed on the top of it. The followers then worship the idol of Lord Vishnu by offering flowers, fruits and other puja essentials. A ‘ghee’ diya is also lit in front of the idol.

What to do or not on Aja Ekadashi 2024

On taking the Aja Ekadashi fast, the followers should refrain from eating anything all through the day, even a drop of water is prohibited. However in the Hindu scriptures it is mentioned that if the person is unfit and for children, the vrat can be taken after eating fruits. All kinds of grains and rice should not be taken on this holy day. Consuming honey is also prohibited.

The followers on this ekadashi must read holy books like ‘Vishnu Sahastranam’ and ‘Bhagwad Geeta’. The followers must also keep vigil all night and spend the time praying and meditating  the supreme lord. The followers of Aja Ekadashi vrat should also follow the principles of ‘Brahmacharya’ to get maximum blessings.

The fasting is broken on the next day, ‘Dwadashi’ (12th day), after offering food to a Brahmin. The Bhog is then taken as ‘Prasad’ with other family members. One must prohibit himself from consuming brinjal on ‘dwadashi’.