There are two Ekadashi in the month of Bhadrapada. The Ekadashi that falls after Janmashtami is called Aja Ekadashi. It is said that Lord Vishnu loves Ekadashi festival very much. There are 24 Ekadashi in a year. This year Aja Ekadashi is being celebrated on 29th August in the month of Bhadrapada. Due to Udaya Tithi, Ekadashi is being celebrated on 29th August and its Parana will be done the next day. If you are also fasting, then you can read the story of the fast here-
Story of Aja Ekadashi fast
According to the Puranas, the importance of Ekadashi was told to Dharmaraj Yudhishthir by Lord Krishna himself. Krishna said- Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Bhado month is called Aja. Gautam Muni alone knows its importance, which changed the eras. Its story is that King Harishchandra was born in Ayodhya in Suryavansh. There was a black cloth on his door, in which it was written with gems- Any donation asked for will be given at this door. Vishwamitra read it and said- This article is false. Harishchandra replied, test me. Vishwamitra said- Give me your kingdom. Harishchandra said the kingdom is yours, what else do you want? Vishwamitra said you have to take Dakshina also. It is easy to suffer the pain of Rahu-Ketu and Saturn, the pain of Sadhesati is also easy, it is very difficult to pass my test. You will have to burn dead bodies, your queen will have to become my slave. If you are not afraid of these atrocities, then say Jai Ganesh and come with us to Kashi. The king welcomed Dharma. The queen became a maid, the king became a servant. Vishwamitra bit the son in the form of a snake. Even in such a situation, King Harischandra did not abandon truth, but the fire of grief was burning in his heart. At that time Gautam Muni felt pity in his heart.
He endured many hardships, but he did not deviate from the truth. Then one day he met Sage Gautam. He asked Sage Gautam for a solution. Sage Gautam narrated the glory of Aja Ekadashi to him and asked him to observe this fast. He said that all the troubles will be removed. Saying this, the sage disappeared. King Harishchandra observed this fast according to his capability. Due to which he not only got his lost kingdom back but also enjoyed all kinds of happiness with his family and finally he attained the supreme abode of the Lord. Since then, everyone in his kingdom used to observe the fast of Ekadashi.
