Achla Ekadashi Fast 2023 - Apara Ekadashi Fast

Apra or Achla ekadashi fast will be celebrated on 15th May, 2023 on the day of Ekadashi during the Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month. This fast is believed to give auspicious and divine results. It also free you from all sorts of sins. Keeping this fast makes a person rich and wealthy. Such a person is also appreciated and receives fame. Keeping this fast gives auspicious results and free you from all wrong deeds.

Importance of Achla Ekadashi

According to the shastras, a person receives the same results by keeping Achla ekadashi fast as he receives on taking a bath in the Ganges during the Kartik month. The importance of Achla ekadashi is the same as taking a bath in river Gomti, visiting Sri Kedarnath, staying in Badri Ashram or taking a bath in Kurukshetra during the solar eclipse.

The results given by Achla ekadashi fast are equivalent to those provided by yagyas or donating horses, elephants, gold etc. Even donating cows gives the same results as fasting on Achla ekadashi. Achla ekadashi fast is a ray of light amidst the darkness of your sins. Therefore, a person keeping this fast is blessed in life.

Procedure of Achla Ekadashi puja

Special care is needed on the day of Achla Ekadashi puja. You should be totally devoted and dedicated toward the worship. This fast begins from Dashmi (tenth) date. You should be careful about what you eat from the beginning of this fast. On the day of Ekadashi, you should wake up early and take a bath before beginning the fast. You should then worship Lord Vishnu with complete devotion. In the evening time, you should worship Lord Vishnu again with flowers, lamps and dhoop. Offer food or sweets to Lord Vishnu and then distribute Prasad among other people.

Story of Achla Ekadashi Fast

A story has been mentioned about Achla Ekadashi in the religious scriptures. According to this story, there was a King named Mahidhwaj. His younger brother, Bajradhwaj, was not religious and was cunning. Bajradhwaj did not like his elder brother and was jealous of him. One night, he killed the King and buried his body beneath a Pipal tree.

The soul of the King started residing on the Pipal tree. All the people in the surrounding places were terrified of this. One day, a saint named Dhaumya was passing by and talked to the restless soul. He preached his teachings and the soul came down from the tree. The saint asked the King’s soul to keep a fast on Apra ekadashi in order to rest in peace. Hence, the King fasted and attained salvation.