Aja Ekadashi 2024 Date and Time: When Will the Aja Ekadashi Vrat Be Observed in India?

On Aja Ekadashi devotees fast and perform rituals in honour of Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings for prosperity.

Aja Ekadashi is a significant day for Hindus, observed every year on the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha, or the waning phase of the moon, in the month of Bhadrapada. This year, Aja Ekadashi falls on Thursday, August 29. On this day, devotees fast and perform rituals in honour of Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings for prosperity and liberation from past sins. It is also considered auspicious to worship Goddess Lakshmi alongside Lord Vishnu on Aja Ekadashi.

Date and Time for Aja Ekadashi 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 01:19 AM on August 29, 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 01:37 AM on August 30, 2024

Significance of Aja Ekadashi
Aja Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Fasting and worship on this day are believed to cleanse all sins and help devotees attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Observing the Aja Ekadashi fast is also said to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness into one’s life. The day is not only spiritually important but also holds cultural significance, as many devotees perform various rituals and pujas at home or in temples.

The fasting period for Aja Ekadashi will begin early in the morning on August 29 and continue until the early hours of August 30. Devotees who observe this fast abstain from grains and certain foods, dedicating the day to spiritual practices like meditation, prayers, and reading holy scriptures.

Parana: Breaking the Aja Ekadashi Fast
Parana is the ritual of breaking the Ekadashi fast, which should be done after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi, during the Dwadashi Tithi. It is important to perform Parana within the Dwadashi Tithi unless it ends before sunrise. Failure to break the fast within this time is considered a mistake.

The Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara, which is the first quarter of the Dwadashi Tithi. Devotees are advised to wait until Hari Vasara ends to break their fast. The best time to break the fast is during Pratahkal, the early morning period. If breaking the fast during Pratahkal is not possible, devotees should wait until after Madhyahna, which is midday.

Fasting Rules for Aja Ekadashi
In some years, Ekadashi fasting may occur on two consecutive days. In such cases, it is recommended that those observing the fast with family should do so on the first day. The second day, known as the alternate Ekadashi, is mainly observed by ascetics, widows, and those seeking moksha. When the alternate Ekadashi fasting is recommended for Smarthas (those who follow a specific Hindu tradition), it often coincides with the Vaishnava Ekadashi.