🌸 A Complete Guide to Ekadashi Fasting

Ekadashi is the sacred 11th lunar day of the moon cycle (occurring twice a month). Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Lord Krishna), this fast is kept to cleanse the body, purify the mind, and progress spiritually.

Here are the complete traditional and scriptural guidelines to observe it correctly:

4 Levels of Fasting (Choose according to your health)

You can choose how strictly you want to fast based on your physical capacity and age (traditionally advised from ages 8 to 80):

1. Nirjala (Strictest): Complete fast without consuming food or even a single drop of water.
2. Sajal (Water only): No solid foods; only water and fresh juices are consumed throughout the day.
3. Phalahar (Fruits & Milk): No grains, but fresh fruits, dry fruits, and milk products are allowed.
4. Ekadashi Feast (Most Common): Consuming special grain-free, satvik meals (like Sabudana or Kuttu) once or twice a day.

🚫 Foods to STRICTLY Avoid

The primary spiritual rule of Ekadashi is the complete exclusion of all grains and legumes.

• All Grains: Rice, wheat (atta), suji (semolina), maida, oats, corn, and barley.
• All Pulses & Beans: Dal (moong, masoor, chana, etc.), chickpeas, peas, and kidney beans.
• Tamasik Ingredients: Onion, garlic, mushrooms, and heavy or stale foods.
• Common Spices: Avoid regular table salt, mustard seeds (sarso), turmeric (haldi), and store-bought powdered asafoetida (hing) as they are often mixed with grain flour.
• Other: Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and caffeine (tea/coffee).

Foods You CAN Consume