जया एकादशी
Jaya Ekadashi
Magha Shukla Ekadashi, a fast that frees the soul from lower births and brings victory.
About Jaya Ekadashi
Jaya Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Magha Shukla Paksha. It is a fast that frees the soul from lower births and brings victory.
Like every Ekadashi it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to the Parana, the breaking of the fast, after sunrise the next morning on Dwadashi.
How to celebrate
Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset on Dashami, the day before.
On Ekadashi morning, bathe and take a sankalp, a resolve, to keep the fast.
Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, a diya and fruit.
Read or listen to the Jaya Ekadashi vrat katha and chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Stay awake for part of the night in bhajan or prayer if you can.
Break the fast the next day within the Parana time for your city.
Do
- Fruit, milk, nuts, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour
- Rock salt instead of regular salt
Avoid
- Rice and all grains, beans and lentils
- Onion, garlic, meat and alcohol
The story
The gandharvas Malyavan and Pushpavati were cursed by Indra to become spirits. By chance they fasted on Jaya Ekadashi in the cold Himalayas and regained their forms.
Questions
When is Jaya Ekadashi in 2027?
Jaya Ekadashi 2027 is on Wednesday, 17 February 2027. Shukla Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:20 PM on Tuesday 16 February and ends at 5:32 PM on Wednesday 17 February IST.
When should I break the Jaya Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 6:57 AM on Thursday 18 February to 11:27 AM IST. Break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
What can I eat during the Jaya Ekadashi fast?
Fruit, milk and curd, nuts, sabudana, potatoes, and kuttu or singhara flour cooked with rock salt. Grains, rice, beans and lentils are avoided.
Why is rice avoided on Ekadashi?
Grains are believed to hold the sin that sought refuge on Ekadashi. Rice in particular is avoided by everyone, even those who do not keep the full fast.
Around Jaya Ekadashi
Coming up
- Saphala EkadashiSun 3 Jan
- LohriThu 14 Jan
- Makar SankrantiFri 15 Jan
- PongalFri 15 Jan
- Pausha Putrada EkadashiMon 18 Jan
- Shattila EkadashiTue 2 Feb
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