Aja Ekadashi this year, will be celebrated on 15 August, Saturday. It is also referred to as Kamika Ekadashi. On this day, special Pujas are performed in remembrance and reverence of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. If you wish to know more about this day or about anything else, then click on this link and connect with our esteemed astrologers.
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Aja Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada i.e. Bhado Month on the Ekadashi Tithi of Krishna Paksha every year. It is believed that those who observe this fast attain emancipation from sins and attain salvation. According to religious scriptures, it is said that fasting on Aja Ekadashi amongst all Ekadashi fasts is considered to be the most beneficial and fruitful. Keep reading this blog to find out some more details about this day.
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Auspicious Muhurat Timings for Aja Ekadashi
| Aja Ekadashi Parana Muhurat | 16 August (from 05:50:59 to 08:28:36) |
| Duration | 2 Hours 37 Minutes |
Note: The auspicious time mentioned above will be valid for Delhi only. Click here to know the time of Parana Muhurat of your city for Aja Ekadashi 2020!
Significance of Aja Ekadashi
The fast of Ekadashi is observed every month. In this fast, it is extremely important for a person to keep control over his/her senses, diet, demeanour, and mind. Aja Ekadashi is considered to be the most beneficial and helpful amongst all Ekadashi fasts. According to Hindu scriptures, those who observe this fast attain emancipation from all sins and attain salvation ultimately. Shri Krishna first mentioned to Yudhishthira about this fast by saying that whosoever observes this fast by worshipping Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi by adhering to all the rites and rituals, will get the desired fruits.
According to the significance of mythological and religious beliefs related to the Aja Ekadashi fast, it can be said that the fast has its roots in ancient times. Also, it is said that by merely listening to the stories related to this day, one is showered with gifts which are received after performing the Ashwamedha Yagya. The fast of Aja Ekadashi also inspires human beings to rise above greed to work with absolute purity of heart.
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Things to Take Care of On the Day of Aja Ekadashi
Like every Ekadashi fast is important and there are some rituals related to the same which every person who observes this fast has to follow, but if you observe fast of Aja Ekadashi, then you must follow some of the following rituals:
- It is advised not to consume Masoor Dal on the night of Dashami i.e. one day before Ekadashi. It is believed that before observing this fast, consumption of lentils (Masoor Dal) is considered to be unfruitful.
- On the day of Aja Ekadashi, the consumption of honey is also considered to be inauspicious and if you consume it, then the fast has no meaning.
- In order to have the blessings of Lord Vishnu, those who observe fast on the day of Dashami and Ekadashi should completely adhere to Brahmacharya.
- Also, it is forbidden to eat gram and gram flour. Even, use of gram at the place of worship should be avoided.
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Aja Ekadashi : Puja Vidhi
Those who observe the fast of Aja Ekadashi should start following some rituals mentioned below.
- Firstly, take a bath before dawn and wear clean clothes on the day of fasting.
- Clean the place of worship properly and spread red or yellow pieces of cloth and keep an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu.
- Worship Lord Vishnu by offering flowers, prasad, diya of pure desi ghee, incense sticks, fruits wholeheartedly and piously. Tulsi must be used in order to please Lord Vishnu while performing the worship.
- There is a ritual of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day. So, she should be worshipped duly.
- After this, recite Vishnu Sahastranam Strotam and perform the Aarti.
- Observe the fast of Aja Ekadashi by consuming water and having food. If it is not possible to sustain, then fruits can be consumed.
- Perform Jagran or Kirtan on this fast during the night.
- On the morning of Dwadashi Tithi, after performing the worship, serve food to the Brahmins and give donations.
- By following all the rituals given above, you can observe fast. The information about the Parana Muhurat of Aja Ekadashi fast is given in the table above.
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Legends Associated with Aja Ekadashi
The legend of Aja Ekadashi is related to the most humble and truthful king named Harishchandra, who is known for his integrity and honesty. Harischandra is still alive in the pages of history because of his truthfulness. Once, Devatas planned to test his truthfulness and the king dreamt that he had donated all of his kingdom to sage Vishwamitra and the following day, he renounced all his kingdom to Rishi Vishwamitra and walked away. While leaving, Vishwamitra asked him for a donation of 500 Mudras.
Raja Harishchandra told Rishi Vishwamitra that he had donated his treasury along with the kingdom and was left with only his wife and son. The king sold his wife, son and himself to a demon to fulfill the demand of Rishi Vishwamitra and the gold coins received, he gave to Rishi Vishwamitra. He got separated from his son and wife and started working with the demon. The demon was attributed to the duty of collecting money for the cremation of dead bodies at his cremation ground.
Once, the king was guarding the door of the cremation ground. Then, a lady came crying furiously with the dead body of her son. The lady was none other than the wife of the king and had come for her son’s cremation. While performing his duty, the king asked for money for the cremation but she had nothing to offer. That is why, she tore off her saree and gave the piece to the king for the cremation.
Seeing the king’s truthfulness, God appeared and restored his kingdom and also brought back his son’s life. It is said that the day the incident happened, that was the day of Aja Ekadashi. That day, the king along with his wife neither ate anything nor sipped a drop of water. Both were blessed with the gift of Ekadashi.
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