Why is Aja Ekadashi observed
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Aja Ekadashi
A few days after Krishna Janmashtami, an Ekadashi ritual shows up on the Hindu calendar—Aja Ekadashi.
Many may know Aja as the name of King Dasharatha's father in the Ramayana. So naturally, one may wonder: Is Aja Ekadashi connected with that King Aja? And the answer is no.
The word Aja has more than one meaning in Sanskrit, and the Aja of the Ramayana and the Aja in Aja Ekadashi are not the same.
When Is Aja Ekadashi in 2026
In 2026, Aja Ekadashi falls on Monday, 7th September 2026.
It is observed on the Ekadashi tithi of Krishna Paksha, the waning fortnight, associated with the month of Bhadrapada as per the Purnimanta calendar followed in much of North India. In the Amanta calendar followed in several other parts of India, the lunar month may be called Shravana, although the observance itself is the same.
Aja Ekadashi has no connection with King Aja.
Aja as a Name of Vishnu – The one who is A-ja literally “not born”.
The story of this Ekadashi is presented as a conversation in which Krishna explains its significance to Yudhishthira. Krishna identifies the Ekadashi of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha as Aja Ekadashi and describes the benefits of observing it with devotion and worship of Vishnu.
The Story Behind Aja Ekadashi
The story behind the Ekadashi is the story of King Harishchandra.
There once lived a king by the name Harishchandra, ruling over the kingdom of Ayodhya. He was famous far and wide for his unwavering commitment to truth and dharma. It is said that he was so devoted to truthfulness that he was ready to give up his kingdom, his family and even his own life, but never his word. This was put to the test by Rishi Vishwamitra. As part of a vow Harishchandra had made, he ended up giving away his entire kingdom, his wealth, and all his possessions to Vishwamitra in charity. But the rishi was not satisfied and demanded further dakshina (fee) from the king, even though Harishchandra now had nothing left to give.
To keep his word and honour his promise, Harishchandra was forced to sell his own wife and his young son into servitude. Even that amount was not enough to fulfil the rishi's demand, so the king finally sold himself as well, becoming a servant at a cremation ground in Kashi (Varanasi), where his job was to collect fees from people who came to cremate their dead. His son passed away after being bitten by a snake, and the queen now serving as a maid brought the body to the same cremation ground where Harishchandra worked, not knowing that the gatekeeper demanding the cremation fee was her own husband. The king refused to let the cremation take place without payment, even though the body was that of his own son.
Seeing the king's extreme suffering despite a lifetime of truth and virtue, Rishi Gautama took pity on him and appeared before him. He advised Harishchandra to observe the ritual of Aja Ekadashi with full faith and devotion, assuring him that this alone had the power to wash away the effects of his past karma and end his suffering.
Harishchandra followed this advice sincerely, observing the fast and worshipping Vishnu as instructed, as an act of surrender. By the grace and merit earned through this ritual, his son came back to life, he was united with his wife and son, and he regained his lost kingdom, wealth and status as king. Eventually, it is said, he and his entire family were able to ascend to heaven with their mortal bodies itself, such was the power of the merit earned.
Our scriptures say - no matter how great one's suffering, and no matter how deserved or undeserved it may seem, sincere observance of the Aja Ekadashi ritual has the power to free a person from even the most difficult of karmic bonds.
The main story is shared in detail in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Along with this, the story also appears in the Padma Purana.
How is Aja Ekadashi celebrated
Aja Ekadashi is observed with devotion to Vishnu (as Hrishikesha – the one we worship as the master of the senses). The main practices are similar to other Ekadashis, with emphasis on fasting, worship and night-long vigilance. The main emphasis is on devotion, truthfulness (inspired by King Harishchandra) and control of the senses rather than physical austerity.
By observing Aja Ekadashi, devotees believe they progress towards peace, prosperity and ultimately moksha.
May Vishnu bless everyone who observes or remembers this sacred day!
Glossary of Terms used in the text
| Word / Term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Aja | Unborn; literally “not born”. It is also the name of a king in the Ramayana |
| Ekadashi | The eleventh lunar day |
| Tithi | A lunar day |
| Krishna Paksha | The waning fortnight of the lunar month |
| Bhadrapada | A lunar month, generally corresponding to August–September |
| Purnimanta | A lunar calendar system in which the month ends with the full moon |
| Amanta | A lunar calendar system in which the month ends with the new moon |
| Shravana | A lunar month, generally corresponding to July–August |
| Dakshina | A fee or offering given to a teacher, priest, sage or other revered person |
| Kashi | The sacred city of Varanasi |
| Varanasi | The city also known as Kashi |
| Hrishikesha | “Master of the senses” or “Lord of the senses”, a name of Vishnu/Krishna |
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