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Annada or Aja Ekadashi falls during the Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. Bhadrapada is considered an auspicious month for performing religious practices. Observing a fast and giving charity on the sacred day of Aja Ekadashi is believed to relieve one from sinful reactions and bestow immense spiritual benefits.
Aja Ekadashi 2026 Date, Tithi and Parana Time
| Details | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Aja Ekadashi Date | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
| Ekadashi Tithi Begins | 7:29 PM, September 6, 2026 |
| Ekadashi Tithi Ends | 5:03 PM, September 7, 2026 |
| Parana (Fast-Breaking) Time | September 8, 2026, 6:02 to 8:33 AM |
Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha
When King Yudhishthira asks Lord Krishna about the glories of the Ekadashi that falls during the fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, Shri Krishna personally narrates the Aja Ekadashi vrat katha to him and reveals that one who worships Lord Hrishikesh on this day is free from all the sins he had committed.
The Lord narrates that once upon a time, there was a King named Harishchandra. He was renowned for his commitment to truthfulness (satyavada). However, due to his past destiny and to keep a promise, he had to lose his entire kingdom, wife, son, and eventually had to sell himself as a servant to a Chandala (cremator). Harishchandra was given the job of collecting the clothes from dead bodies brought to the cremation ground by the Chandala, but he never abandoned his principle of truthfulness.
One day, the King was deeply contemplating his misfortune, thinking how he would come out of this wretched condition. The great sage Gautama came to him and explained that by his past actions he was suffering material pangs. The sage advised the King to observe Aja Ekadashi, remain awake throughout the night, and worship Lord Hrishikesha, assuring him that this would end all his sufferings.
The King faithfully followed the instructions of sage Gautama, observing the fast, staying awake at night, and worshiping Lord Hrishikesha. By the divine effect of Aja Ekadashi, all his accumulated sins were destroyed, his son restored to life, and he was reunited with his wife and obtained his lost kingdom. After ruling for many years, the King with his family reached the abode of the Lord, Vaikuntha.
Significance and Benefits of Aja Ekadashi
The significance of Aja Ekadashi comes from the Brahmavaivarta Purana, where Lord Krishna explains its importance to King Yudhishthira. The Lord describes that this Ekadashi is capable of ending one's suffering and delivering one from this material world to the abode of the Lord.
Benefits of Aja Ekadashi
- Observing complete fast and worshipping Lord Hrishikesha frees one from all the reactions of sinful activities.
- This Ekadashi is all auspicious and capable of restoring lost wealth and relationships. Just like King Harishchandra regained his kingdom and restored his family relationship.
- All the sufferings of life are eradicated by the effect of this Ekadashi.
- One who observes Aja Ekadashi with full faith reaches the eternal spiritual world (Bhagavad-dhama).
- Hearing or reading the glories of Aja Ekadashi is equivalent to performing an Ashvamedh Yajna (horse sacrifice).
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Conclusion
Aja Ekadashi is a sacred day of observing a fast, giving charity, worshiping, and remembering Lord Hrishikesha. The story of King Harishchandra illustrates the importance of this Ekadashi. As the King restored all wealth, relationships, and ultimately went to the spiritual world, anyone who faithfully observes Aja Ekadashi gets the same result.
