Ekadashi is the eleventh day of a lunar calendar. The Hindus observe fasting on Ekadashi or `Agiyarsh` or `Gyaars. Eka means one Dashi means ten, which means eleventh day after a full moon day or a new moon day.

Many hindu people observe Ekadashi, which comes bimonthly. This is followed by mainly Vaishnavas but Non-Vaishnavas are also allowed to do it. People usually keep fast or Upavaas on the Ekadashis. The fasting varies greatly- some people do not eat anything at all, some eat a restricted diet, which consists of simple item like milk and fruits and they do not do any cooking, while some eat elaborately cooked meals that are prepared out of restricted and selected ingredients. But all the people performing fasting have the same goal of attaining spiritual benefit.

It is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana how sage Ambarisha observed Ekadashi. There are different types of Ekadashi that falls throughout the year. These are-
`Saphala Ekadashi` observed during Pausha Krishna Paksh at December-January; Putrada Ekadashi on Pausha Shukla Paksh in December-January; Sat Tila Ekadashi on Magha Krishna Paksh in January-February, Bhaimani Ekadashi on Magha Shukla Paksh in January-February, Vaikuntha Ekadashi on Phalgun Krishna Paksh in February-March, Amalaki Ekadashi on Phalgun Shukla Paksh in February-March; Papamochani Ekadashi on Chaitra Krishna Paksh in March-April; Kamada Ekadashi on Chaitra Shukla Paksh in March-april; Varuthini Ekadashi on Vaisakh Krishna Paksh in April-May; Mohini Ekadashi on Vaisakh Shukla Paksh in April-May; Apara Ekadashi on Jyeshtha Krishna Paksh in May-June; Pandava Ekadashi on Jyestha Shukla Paksh in May-June; Yogini Ekadashi on Ashaad Krishna Paksh in June-July; Sayana Ekadashi in Ashaad Shukla Paksh on June-July; Kamika Ekadashi on Shravan Krishna Paksh in July-August; Pavitropana Ekadashi on Shravana Shukla Paksh in July-August; Ananda Ekadashi on Bhadrapad Krishna Paksh in August-September; Parsva Ekadashi on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh in August-September; Indira Ekadashi on Ashwin Krishna Paksh in September-October; Pasankusha Ekadashi on Ashwin Shukla Paksh in September-October; Rama Ekadashi on Kartik Krishnapaksh in October-November; Utthana Ekadashi on Kartik Shukla Paksh in October-November; Utpanna Ekadashi on Margashirsha Krishna Paksh on November-December; Mokshada Ekadashi on Margashirsha Shukla Paksh in November-December. The other two Ekadashis are Padmini Ekadashi on Purushottam Shukla Paksh and Parama Ekadashi on Purushottam Krishna Paksh.