Ekasana

Lord Mahavira

Jain

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The gateway Jain austerity — one complete meal before sunset, observed on any auspicious day. Not eating after sunset (Ratri Bhojana) is a core Jain practice every single day, not only on fast days.

Dates 2026–2027

January 2, 2026January 10, 2026January 17, 2026January 26, 2026January 31, 2026February 9, 2026February 16, 2026February 24, 2026March 2, 2026March 11, 2026March 17, 2026March 26, 2026March 31, 2026April 10, 2026April 16, 2026April 24, 2026April 30, 2026May 10, 2026May 15, 2026May 23, 2026May 30, 2026June 8, 2026June 14, 2026June 22, 2026June 28, 2026July 8, 2026July 13, 2026July 21, 2026July 28, 2026August 6, 2026August 11, 2026August 20, 2026August 26, 2026September 4, 2026September 10, 2026September 19, 2026September 25, 2026October 3, 2026October 9, 2026October 18, 2026October 25, 2026November 2, 2026November 8, 2026November 17, 2026November 23, 2026December 1, 2026December 7, 2026December 17, 2026December 23, 2026December 31, 2026January 6, 2027January 16, 2027January 21, 2027January 29, 2027February 5, 2027February 14, 2027February 20, 2027February 28, 2027March 7, 2027March 16, 2027March 21, 2027March 30, 2027April 5, 2027April 14, 2027April 19, 2027April 29, 2027May 5, 2027May 13, 2027May 19, 2027May 29, 2027June 3, 2027June 11, 2027June 17, 2027June 27, 2027July 3, 2027July 11, 2027July 17, 2027July 27, 2027August 1, 2027August 9, 2027August 16, 2027August 25, 2027August 30, 2027September 8, 2027September 14, 2027September 23, 2027September 29, 2027October 7, 2027October 14, 2027October 23, 2027October 28, 2027November 6, 2027November 12, 2027November 21, 2027November 27, 2027December 6, 2027December 12, 2027December 20, 2027December 26, 2027

Mantra

णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्झायाणं णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं

Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Namo Ayariyanam Namo Uvajjhayanam Namo Loe Savva-Sahunam

I bow to the Arihantas · I bow to the Siddhas · I bow to the Acharyas · I bow to the Upadhyayas · I bow to all the Sadhus — the five supreme beings

How to recite

Recite 108 times in the morning. Perform Samayik (48-min meditation) in the morning, and Pratikraman (repentance ceremony) in the evening after sunset.

✦ Special Note

Ekasana can be undertaken on any day — the dates shown are the classic days to observe it: the pakshik Aatham (Ashtami) and Chauwdas (Chaturdashi) of each fortnight. Not eating after sunset is a daily Jain practice — not just for fasting days. Ekasana is how most Jains begin their practice of austerity — it then naturally progresses to Upvas (water only) and Ayambil (tasteless meal) as devotion deepens. Jain fasting rules vary by sect and family tradition — always follow your family's practice. Dates per Drik Panchang (drikpanchang.com, Jain calendar, New Delhi — pakshik Aatham & Chauwdas days).

Always Allowed

Boiled water — consumed only between sunrise and sunset

Avoided Year-Round

Root vegetables — potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, radishes, beetroot, turnip (anything underground)Eggplant (brinjal) and multi-seeded vegetables including green chilliesMushrooms and cauliflowerMeat, fish, eggsHoneyAlcohol and fermented foods — yeast breads, vinegar, picklesEating after sunset — never, on any dayCold, iced, or unboiled water — all water must be boiled

Additional Restrictions

Ekasana — one complete Jain meal before sunset only. No second meal, no snacking, and no eating after sunset.Make a resolve (sankalp) before sunrise to observe Ekasana for the day — this intention is important.Allowed: rice, dal (moong, chana, urad, tur), roti, non-root vegetables (lauki, tori, pumpkin, cabbage, capsicum, tomato, cucumber, beans, peas), fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, ghee, and mild dry spices.Dairy mixed with pulses is not recommended on Ekasana days.Drink boiled water (cooled to room temperature) before and after the meal only — not during.Ekasana is the gateway austerity — accessible for beginners and deeply respected. It leads naturally to Upvas and Ayambil.Jain fasting rules vary by sect (Shvetambara/Digambara) and family tradition. Always follow your family's practice.

Meal Idea

A complete Jain thali — plain dal, rice, roti, and cooked above-ground vegetables, prepared without root vegetables and eaten mindfully before sunset

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Kartik Chaumasi Chaudas — November 23, 2026Same tradition and category
Navpad Oli — October 17, 2026Same tradition and category
Navpad Oli — March 25, 2026Same tradition and category

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