Ekadashi (, , ,
ekadasi, "Eleven"), also spelled as
Ekadasi, is the eleventh
lunar day (
tithi) of the
shukla (bright) or
krishna (dark)
paksha (fortnight) of every
lunar month in the
Hindu calendar (
Panchang). In
Hinduism and
Jainism it is considered a spiritually beneficial day and is usually observed by a partial
fast. Beans and grains are not eaten during Ekadasi, as on this day these two foods are believed to be contaminated by sin. Only fruits, vegetables and milk products are eaten during Ekadasi. This period of abstention runs from sunrise on the day of Ekadasi to sunrise on the day following Ekadasi.