{"id":28979,"date":"2026-01-02T20:43:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/?p=28979"},"modified":"2026-01-02T20:43:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:13:18","slug":"aja-ekadashi-vrat-katha-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/aja-ekadashi-vrat-katha-date\/","title":{"rendered":"Aja Ekadashi 2026: Date, Parana Time, Vrat Katha &#038; Significance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\n      \"headline\": \"Aja Ekadashi 2026: Date, Parana Time, Vrat Katha & Significance\",\n      \"description\": \"Aja Ekadashi 2026 is on Sept 7. Known for restoring lost wealth and family. Read the powerful story of King Harishchandra and check the Parana time here.\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story.jpg\",\n      \"author\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"SmartPuja\" },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-02-06\",\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-02-06\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Event\",\n      \"name\": \"Aja Ekadashi 2026\",\n      \"startDate\": \"2026-09-07\",\n      \"endDate\": \"2026-09-08\",\n      \"description\": \"A sacred fasting day dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known for restoring lost prosperity and removing past sins.\",\n      \"location\": { \"@type\": \"Place\", \"name\": \"India\" }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"When is Aja Ekadashi in 2026?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Aja Ekadashi will be observed on Monday, September 7, 2026.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the story behind Aja Ekadashi?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It is associated with King Harishchandra, who regained his lost kingdom, wife, and dead son by observing this fast under the guidance of Sage Gautama.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the Parana time for Aja Ekadashi 2026?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The fast should be broken (Parana) on September 8, 2026, between 06:10 AM and 08:38 AM.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"aja-container\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 100%; color: #444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-28980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha of King Harishchandra\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-150x85.png 150w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story.png 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h1 style=\"color: #d35400 !important; font-family: 'Georgia', serif; text-align: center;\"><strong>Aja Ekadashi 2026: Date, Parana Time, Vrat Katha &amp; Significance<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>Aja Ekadashi<\/strong> (also known as <em>Ananda Ekadashi<\/em>) falls on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of <strong>Bhadrapada<\/strong>. The word <em>&#8220;Aja&#8221;<\/em> means &#8220;The Unborn,&#8221; referring to Lord Vishnu (or Krishna) who has no beginning or end. Observing this fast is believed to destroy sins from previous births and restore lost prosperity.<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, Aja Ekadashi falls on a <strong>Monday<\/strong>. Since Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ekadashi to Lord Vishnu, this coincidence makes the day highly auspicious for worship.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fff8e1; border-left: 5px solid #ffb300; padding: 20px; margin: 30px 0; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); font-size: 1.05em;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0; color: #e65100;\">\ud83d\udcc5 Aja Ekadashi 2026 Muhurat<\/h3>\n<ul style=\"list-style: none; padding: 0;\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Vrat Date:<\/strong> Monday, September 7, 2026<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"><strong>Parana Time (Break Fast):<\/strong> Sept 8, 06:10 AM to 08:38 AM<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hari Vasara End Time:<\/strong> Sept 8, 08:15 AM<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-size: 0.9em; font-style: italic; color: #666; margin-top: 15px; border-top: 1px solid #ffcc80; padding-top: 10px;\"><strong>\u26a0\ufe0f Note:<\/strong> <em>Tithi timings and Parana windows may vary slightly based on your location (sunrise time). Please check your local Panchang for precise timings.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px dashed #ffb300; margin: 15px 0;\" \/>\n<p><strong>Facing difficulties in business or family?<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 15px;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background-color: #d35400; color: #ffffff !important; padding: 10px 25px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none !important; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1em; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); transition: transform 0.2s;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\/vishnu-sahasranamam-puja\">Book Vishnu Puja for Success<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d35400 !important; font-family: 'Georgia', serif;\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6600;\">Significance of Aja Ekadashi<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Lord Krishna told King Yudhishthira that this Vrat is so powerful that it grants the merit of performing an <strong>Ashwamedha Yajna<\/strong>. It is specifically beneficial for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Those who have lost their wealth or social status.<\/li>\n<li>Those separated from their family members.<\/li>\n<li>Removing mental agony and past bad karma.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d35400 !important; font-family: 'Georgia', serif;\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6600;\">Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story of King Harishchandra)<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The legend tells of the truthful Emperor <strong>Harishchandra<\/strong>. To uphold his promise (Vachan) given to Sage Vishwamitra, he donated his entire kingdom. He was left destitute and forced to sell his wife, Taramati, and son, Rohitashwa, into servitude. He himself sold himself to a <em>Chandala<\/em> (crematorium keeper) and worked guarding a cremation ground.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these hardships, he never abandoned the path of Truth. One day, while he was drowning in sorrow over his separation from his family, <strong>Sage Gautama<\/strong> passed by. Seeing the King&#8217;s plight, the Sage advised him to observe the <strong>Aja Ekadashi Vrat<\/strong> in the month of Bhadrapada.<\/p>\n<p>Harishchandra observed the fast with intense devotion, staying awake all night. By the merit of this Vrat, his past sins were washed away. Miraculously, his dead son came back to life, he was reunited with his wife, and the Gods returned his kingdom to him. Since then, this Ekadashi is observed to overcome the hardest struggles in life.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin: 40px 0;\"><a style=\"display: inline-block; background-color: #ff6600; color: #ffffff !important; padding: 16px 35px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none !important; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; text-align: center; box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(255, 102, 0, 0.4); transition: transform 0.2s;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\/vishnu-sahasranamam-puja\">Book Vishnu Sahasranamam Puja<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d35400 !important; font-family: 'Georgia', serif;\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6600;\">Puja Vidhi for Aja Ekadashi<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Sankalp:<\/strong> Wake up before sunrise, take a bath, and vow to fast with truthfulness (Satya), just like King Harishchandra.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Worship:<\/strong> Place a Kalash (pot) decorated with mango leaves. Worship Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna with grains of rice and Tulsi.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reading:<\/strong> It is essential to read or listen to the story of King Harishchandra on this day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Behavior:<\/strong> Maintain silence or speak only the truth throughout the day. Avoid anger and criticism.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parana:<\/strong> Break the fast the next morning (Dwadashi) during the auspicious window.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"background: #e0f7fa; border: 1px solid #b2ebf2; padding: 15px; border-radius: 8px; margin: 30px 0; text-align: center;\"><strong>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Looking for other dates?<\/strong><br \/>\nCheck the complete list of 26 Ekadashis this year in our master guide.<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #006064; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; font-size: 1.1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/ekadashi-dates-2026-vrat-calendar\/\">View All Ekadashi Dates 2026 \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"color: #d35400 !important; font-family: 'Georgia', serif;\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #ff6600;\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\" style=\"font-size: 1.1em; color: #333; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px;\">1. When is Aja Ekadashi 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Aja Ekadashi falls on <strong>Monday, September 7, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\" style=\"font-size: 1.1em; color: #333; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px;\">2. What are the benefits of Aja Ekadashi?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It helps in recovering lost wealth, reuniting separated family members, and attaining mental peace by destroying past sins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\" style=\"font-size: 1.1em; color: #333; display: block; margin-bottom: 5px;\">3. Can we eat rice on Aja Ekadashi?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No, rice and all grains are strictly prohibited. You can consume fruits, milk, and nuts (Phalahar).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aja Ekadashi 2026 (Sept 7): Can a fast restore a lost kingdom and bring a dead son back to life? According to the legend of King Harishchandra, observing Aja Ekadashi can do exactly that. Read the heart-touching story of &#8220;Satya Harishchandra&#8221; and learn the significance of this Bhadrapada Ekadashi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28980,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5,4,9],"tags":[1217,1221,1224,1219,1223,253,1218,1222,414,1220],"class_list":["post-28979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-festivals","category-rituals","category-traditions","tag-aja-ekadashi-2026","tag-aja-ekadashi-vrat-katha","tag-ananda-ekadashi-benefits","tag-bhadrapada-ekadashi","tag-bhadrapada-krishna-ekadashi","tag-hindu-calendar-2026","tag-king-harishchandra","tag-king-harishchandra-story","tag-lord-vishnu","tag-satya-harishchandra"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/aja-ekadashi-2026-king-harishchandra-story.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28979"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28981,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28979\/revisions\/28981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}