🧒 For Little Ones
Ask a grown-up to read this with you!
Did you know there is a special day that comes twice every month? It is called Ekadasi – and it means the eleventh day
On this day, many families in India wake up early, say prayers, and eat only fruits and simple foods. No rice, no roti – just light and simple things.
But how did Ekadasi begin? There is a beautiful story behind it…
Long ago, a brave goddess was born on this day from Lord Vishnu’s own light. She protected him from a terrible demon called Mura. Lord Vishnu was so grateful that he named this special day after her – Ekadasi.
Pretty cool, right? 😊
💡 Ask someone at home tonight – “Do we observe Ekadasi?” You might hear a wonderful story.
Try This – Draw Your Ekadasi Diya!
This is what a diya looks like – now make your own!
Print this and colour it in!
Use yellow, orange, red and gold – just like a real diya! 🪔
Ekadasi is a day to pause. To be grateful. To light a lamp. To sit with family. 🙏
📖 For Older Readers – The Full Story
A Quiet Kind of Special
Not all special days come with drums and fireworks. Some are quiet, personal, and deeply meaningful. Ekadasi is one of those days.
You won’t see giant idols or colourful processions. But in millions of homes across India, something shifts on Ekadasi. The kitchen smells different. People wake up a little earlier. There is a stillness in the air that feels different from an ordinary day.
And if you ask your grandparents why – they will smile and say – “Today is Ekadasi.”
💡 Have you ever noticed your family doing something differently on certain days of the month without quite knowing why?
What Does Ekadasi Mean?
Eka = One
Dasi = Ten
Together = Eleven 🌙
Ekadasi is the eleventh day of each half of the Hindu lunar calendar. Because the Hindu calendar has two halves every month – a bright half when the moon grows fuller and a dark half when it fades – Ekadasi comes twice every month. That means 24 Ekadasis every year, each one considered sacred.
💡 The Hindu calendar follows the moon, not the sun. That is why festivals like Diwali and Holi fall on different dates each year.
The Full Story Behind Ekadasi
Long, long ago, in the first age of the world called Satya Yuga, there lived a fearsome demon named Mura.
Mura was incredibly powerful. He troubled everyone around him and even defeated the gods, forcing them to leave their heavenly home. The gods were worried and didn’t know what to do.
So, they went to Lord Vishnu and prayed, “Please help us save the world from Mura.”
Lord Vishnu listened with kindness and promised to protect them.
A great battle began between Vishnu and Mura. They fought bravely for many, many years. Neither gave up.
One day, Lord Vishnu decided it was time for a different plan. He went to rest in a peaceful cave called Simhavati, hidden high in the Himalayas.
But Mura followed him there.
As Lord Vishnu rested, Mura quietly entered the cave. He lifted his sword, ready to attack.
Suddenly, something extraordinary happened.
A brilliant goddess, glowing with divine light, emerged from Lord Vishnu’s own spiritual energy. She was strong, fearless, and filled with courage.
The goddess stood before Mura and faced him in battle.
In no time, she defeated the wicked demon and restored peace to the world.
When Lord Vishnu awoke, he saw what had happened. He was deeply pleased and thanked the radiant goddess.
“What blessing would you like?” he asked her.
The goddess bowed and replied, “May the day I appeared become sacred. May those who spend this day with prayer, self-control, kindness, and devotion be blessed with peace and freedom from their troubles.”
Lord Vishnu smiled and said, “So it shall be.”
He named her Ekadasi, because she had appeared on the eleventh day of the lunar cycle.
And from that day onward, people have observed Ekadasi with fasting, prayer, and gratitude remembering that inner strength, faith, and goodness can always overcome darkness.
And that is why Ekadasi is celebrated even today.
What Happens on Ekadasi?
Fasting
Many people eat only fruits, milk, nuts, and sweet potatoes. Rice and grains are avoided. It is a way of saying thank you and giving the body and mind a gentle rest.
Prayers and Temple Visits
Families visit Vishnu temples early in the morning. Prayers, bhajans, and readings from the Bhagavad Gita fill the day.
Staying Awake Through the Night
Some devotees stay awake the whole night singing prayers and telling stories. This is called Jagran – the Sanskrit word for awakening.
Breaking the Fast
The fast is broken the next morning on the twelfth day – called Dwadasi – with a simple, light meal. This moment is considered especially auspicious.
How Ekadasi Is Celebrated Across India
Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Vrindavan – just 11 kilometres away – is where he spent his childhood. Both cities see enormous gatherings on Ekadasi. Devotees fill the temples, sing kirtan through the night, and the streets glow with lamps and marigold flowers.
Udupi, Karnataka
The famous Krishna temple in Udupi holds special prayers on every Ekadasi. Devotees travel from across Karnataka and neighbouring states to seek blessings on this sacred day.
Pandharpur, Maharashtra
Twice a year on Ashadhi Ekadasi and Kartiki Ekadasi – over one million devotees called Warkaris walk more than 200 kilometres from Dehu and Alandi near Pune to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. The journey takes 18 to 21 days on foot. They sing devotional songs called abhangas – written by saints like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar – the entire way. Villages along the route feed the pilgrims with love.
💡 The Warkari pilgrimage has continued for over 700 years. Some families have been making this walk for generations – grandparents, parents, and children together.
Tamil Nadu – Vaishnava Tradition
In Tamil Nadu, Ekadasi is especially meaningful for Iyengar communities. Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu – called Perumal temples – hold special prayers. Beautiful kolam patterns drawn in rice flour decorate doorsteps as a welcoming offering.
Puri, Odisha
In Puri, home to the famous Jagannath temple, Ekadasi is observed with ancient rituals that have continued for centuries. Thousands of pilgrims gather here on the most significant Ekadasis of the year.
What Is Eaten on Ekadasi?
No rice. No roti. But plenty of delicious things!
Sabudana Khichdi – pearl sago with peanuts, green chilli, and lemon
Singhare ki Puri – crispy puris made from water chestnut flour
Kuttu ki Roti – flatbread from buckwheat flour with potato curry
Makhana Kheer – creamy pudding made from fox nuts and milk
Fresh fruit – bananas, apples, pomegranates – simple and sweet
Simple Makhana Kheer – Make It at Home
Try this with a grown-up!
What you need
- 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
- 3 cups full-fat milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- A few saffron strands (optional)
- Chopped pistachios to garnish
What to do
- Roast the makhana in a dry pan for 3–4 minutes until slightly crispy. Crush half, keep half whole.
- Boil the milk gently, stirring so it does not stick.
- Add all the makhana. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until the milk thickens.
- Add sugar, cardamom, and saffron. Stir for 5 more minutes.
- Pour into bowls, top with pistachios. Serve warm or cold – both are wonderful.
💡 Bihar produces over 90% of the world’s makhana – all from lotus flowers growing in ponds!
Did You Know?
- There are 24 Ekadasis every year – each with its own name. Nirjala Ekadasi is the most powerful – some devotees fast without even a single drop of water.
- The name Ekadasi has a deeper meaning – humans have 11 senses in Hindu philosophy. Fasting on Ekadasi brings all eleven under control.
- Lord Vishnu sleeps for four months starting from Ashadhi Ekadasi – this is called Chaturmas. Weddings and new beginnings are avoided during this time.
- The Warkari pilgrimage draws over one million people walking together – one of the largest peaceful gatherings on Earth.
- Fasting on Ekadasi is said to be equal to taking a holy dip in every sacred river in India – all in one day.
- Scientists have found that giving the digestive system a rest once or twice a month may actually improve health. Our ancestors perhaps knew this long before science did.
A Closing Thought
Ekadasi is not a festival of noise and colour. It is quieter than that – and more personal.
It is a reminder that in the middle of a busy month, it is good to pause. To be grateful. To light a lamp. To sit with family. To be still for just one day.
Try observing it once with your family. You might be surprised by how it feels. 🙏