Sarva PanchangSarva Panchang
Ekadashi

Apara Ekadashi

Also called: Achalā Ekadashi

Apara is often understood as boundless or immeasurable. The vrata-katha praises the spiritual merit of the observance and describes it as a means of purification. Its traditional claims about merit should be understood as religious teachings rather than measurable outcomes.

Key facts

Paksha
Krishna Paksha
Lunar month
Jyeshtha (Purnimanta); Vaishakha (Amanta)
Observed on
The eleventh tithi of Krishna Paksha
Deities
Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna

The story

The Apara Ekadashi mahatmya is largely a discourse in which Krishna explains the observance's merit and compares it with other religious acts. Some versions list examples of wrongdoing and devotional practices; the narrative is not uniform in all popular summaries.

Practices

  • Devotees worship Vishnu, hear the Apara Ekadashi mahatmya and follow their customary fast. Charity and reflection on conduct are common themes in explanations of the day.

Common questions

When is Apara Ekadashi observed?
Apara Ekadashi is observed on the Krishna Paksha eleventh tithi (Ekadashi) of Jyeshtha (Purnimanta); Vaishakha (Amanta).

Types of Ekadashi