After in-depth research and study, our sages linked fasting with religion and spirituality to ensure that people take care of both their mental and physical health. In some fasts, only fruits can be eaten for the entire day; this repels toxins from the body and helps in boosting the morale and self-confidence of the person.

Traditionally, fasting means giving the digestive system a rest for 24 hours once every seven days or 15 days by eating little. The fast may be observed as an offering to different deities, as well as during festivals like Shivaratri, Navaratri, Janmashtami, Ekadashi, Karva Chauth, etc.

Fasting also nudges us to dwell on our inner Self, which involves purity, solitude, silence, and introspection, so that we can be closer to our Self or God. There is a resolution involved that we will not only not eat food, but stay absorbed in meditation or God-devotion by shifting our attention from food to godliness. When we fast, our body, senses, mind, and intellect get ready for the spiritual journey. That is why fasting has special importance in spirituality.

Vrat or fasting is a mental discipline that purifies our body, mind and soul. Sattvic food is consumed during the fast that includes pure, natural, vital, clean, energetic food items like fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, curd, rock salt, coriander etc. By taking these foods, our digestive system can be relaxed and the impurities of the body can be cleaned.

Fasting detoxifies the body. Due to this the respiratory system, blood circulatory system, digestive system, and excretory system remain healthy. The cells of the body are renewed. When the weather changes, many diseases arise due to the virus emerging from water and air, so festivals have been used in the Sanatan tradition to prescribe fasting, to protect our body from diseases.

If we eat several times a day, our digestive system works continuously without any rest. This can cause many diseases due to the disturbance and imbalance in our internal organs. The consequence of overeating is manifold – premature ageing, lethargy, laziness, and heaviness in the body.

The cycle of Ekadashi fasting
Ekadashi fasting is the deepest science of removing toxic elements produced in the human body. The Ekadashi fast falls on the 11th day after the full moon and new moon. This is the time when the body goes through a particular cycle. At this time the body does not have any special need for food or it requires less food as compared to the rest of the days. During this period, the body wants to be light and pure, so there is a free flow of energy.

This series of fasting after every fifteen days affects not only the cells of our body but also the DNA, which protects against many incurable diseases and upturns the ageing process of the body. Fasting increases physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Ekadashi fasting helps in aligning the position of the planets and the body associated with them. This is the most appropriate time for fasting, as it helps us to connect with nature.

Following is the list of Ekadashis observed throughout the year and the specific benefits of fasting that can be attained if practiced carefully.

1. Papmochani Ekadashi (March or April)
Papmochani Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha in the Chaitra month. It is believed that this Ekadashi fasting liberates us from all kinds of sins; this fast is equal to donating a thousand cows.

2. Kamada Ekadashi (March or April)
Kamada Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. It is believed that fasting on Kamada Ekadashi fulfills all the wishes and destroys sins like lust, anger, greed, and attachment.

3. Varuthini Ekadashi (April or May)
Varuthini Ekadashi is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha of Vaishakh month. Varuthini means being armored or protected. On this Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is believed to protect his devotees like a shield from all kinds of evils and bestows them with prosperity.

4. Mohini Ekadashi (April or May)
This Ekadashi is celebrated on the Ekadashi day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month. Worshiping the Mohini form of Lord Vishnu on this day is believed to destroy sin; salvation can be attained after death.

5. Apara Ekadashi (May or June)
This Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha in Jyeshtha month. Apara means immense virtue. One gets immense virtue by worshiping and fasting.

6. Nirjala Ekadashi (May or June)
Nirjala Ekadashi falls in Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month. Many people fast on this day without even drinking water. Those who want to fast for only one Ekadashi, should observe fast on this Ekadashi. fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi is said to remove doshas and bad effects from one's life.

7. Yogini Ekadashi (June or July)
Ekadashi of Ashada Krishna Paksha is known as Yogini Ekadashi. All sins are believed to be destroyed by fasting on this Ekadashi. It fulfills all wishes and grants liberation in the hereafter.

8. Padma / Devshayani Ekadashi (June or July)
On the Ekadashi date of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month Ashadh month, on the day of Devshayani Ekadashi. Devshayani means god + sleeping. Deva or god is Vishnu and Shayana means sleep. This day symbolizes the beginning of Chaturmas (four months), during which auspicious works are not being done.

9. Kamika Ekadashi (July or August)
Kamika Ekadashi is celebrated on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha of Sawan month. On this day, devotees get their desired fruits by observing a fast and pleasing the ancestors.

10. Shravan Putrada Ekadashi (July or August)
Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan month is celebrated as Shravan Putrada Ekadashi. The fast is observed to wish for the happiness of children.

11. Aja Ekadashi (August or September)
Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada is known as Aja Ekadashi. It is believed that by fasting on Aja Ekadashi one rises above artha-kama results in attaining salvation and dharma.

12. Parshva Ekadashi (August or September)
Parshva Ekadashi is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada. Lord Vishnu rests during this period and on this day he turns his sleeping posture; therefore, this day is also called Parivartini Ekadashi. It is said that on this day Vishnu took his fifth incarnation - Vamana, hence this day is known as Vamana Jayanti.

13. Indira Ekadashi (September or October)
Indira Ekadashi Vrat is observed in Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month. People fast on this day for the liberation of ancestors and they become peaceful with the fast.

14. Papankusha Ekadashi (September or October)
Papankusha Ekadashi in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month would have relieved from the past sins and wrong deeds. It is also believed that virtues can be attained.

15. Rama Ekadashi (October or November)
Rama Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month has great significance. By fasting this day, it is said that the body becomes pure and rejuvenated. This Ekadashi is named after Lakshmi, hence it is called Rama Ekadashi.

16. Devathuna Ekadashi (October or November)
Devthuna or Devuthani Ekadashi is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. It is also called Prabodhini Ekadashi.
It is believed that on this day Vishnu woke up after four months of rest. Hence, this day marks the end of Chaturmas. Now people can perform any auspicious work or begin new work.

17. Utpanna Ekadashi (November or December)
On the day of Utpanna Ekadashi in Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha month, Yoga Maya (Ekadashi mata) originated from Lord Vishnu to kill the demon Mur. Fasting on this day is believed to get rid of sins and attain salvation.

18. Mokshada Ekadashi (November or December)
Mokshada Ekadashi provides salvation in Shukla Paksha of Margashirsha month. It is believed that by fasting on this day, one attains salvation, as well as gets rid of all sins.

19. Saphala Ekadashi (December or January)
Saphala Ekadashi fast is observed on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha in Paush month. The word Saphala means to be prosperous or successful. Therefore, fasting on Saphala Ekadashi is beneficial for prosperity and success in life.

20. Putrada Ekadashi (December or January)
Putrada or Pavitra Ekadashi falls on the Shukla Paksha of Paush month in January. It is believed that by observing this fast one can be blessed with a son by the grace of Lord Vishnu.

21. Shatila Ekadashi (January or February)
Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in Magha month is known as Shatila Ekadashi. On this Ekadashi, sesame seeds are used in six different ways -- bathing in sesame water, applying sesame paste, donating sesame seeds, havan and tarpan with sesame seeds, and including them in food. Worshiping Lord Vishnu on this day gives salvation to a person.

22. Jaya Ekadashi (January or February)
Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Magh month is known as Jaya Ekadashi, also known as Bhishma Ekadashi. By observing the fast of this, one can get rid of past life sins, and worshiping Vishnu leads to salvation.

23. Vijaya Ekadashi (February or March)
Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in Falgun month is called Vijaya Ekadashi. One can attain the virtuous fruit of salvation by observing Vijaya Ekadashi fast and by donating gold, land, food, and cow. This fast means victory in every work and over enemies.

24. Amalaki Ekadashi (February or March)
Fasting of Amalaki Ekadashi is observed in Pushya Nakshatra of Shukla Paksha in Phalguna month. Amalaki is associated with the Amla Tree (Indian gooseberry). On this day, making a paste of amla, worshiping its tree, consuming amla in the form of prasad, and donating give virtuous results.

25. Padmini Ekadashi (March or April)
Adhik Maas comes once in three years i.e. of Purushottam month. Ekadashi falling in Shukla Paksha of the Adhik/ Purushottam Maas is known as Padmini Ekadashi. It is called the month of worship of Lord Vishnu.

26. Param Ekadashi (March or April)
By observing fast on Param Ekadashi in Krishna Paksha of the Adhik Maas is believed to accomplish rare siddhis.

Sanatan dharma