Ekadashi Fasting Rules: Millions of people observe the Ekadashi fast. There are many benefits to observing this fast. It increases both our physical and mental strength. If you also observe the Ekadashi fast, then know what you should and shouldn't eat and drink.

What can you eat or drink during the Ekadashi fast?
1. Nirjala Fast: Many devotees do not even consume water on Ekadashi. They abstain from food and water for the entire day. They only consume food and water the next day during the breaking of the fast. If you are not doing this, you can at least consume water.

2. Jalahar: This means observing the Ekadashi fast by consuming only water. You can consume water as many times as you want during the day and night while observing the Ekadashi fast. However, many devotees are unable to do this due to their physical condition, so they consume milk.

3. Ksheerbhoji: Ksheer means milk, and Bhoji means one who eats. This means that you can consume milk during Ekadashi. Only cow's milk should be consumed, not buffalo's or goat's milk. This is also called Dudhahari or Payohari.

4. Rasbhoji: This means consuming only fruit juices. Fruits include grapes, pomegranates, papaya, bananas, apples, sweet limes, oranges, pineapples, coconut water, etc.

5. Phalahar: This means consuming fruits as food. Specific fruits are chosen for this. Such as bananas, papaya, apples, grapes, sweet limes, oranges, etc. Dry fruits can also be consumed in Phalahar, such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts.

6. Naktbhoji: Nakt means night, and Bhoji means one who eats. This means one who eats only at night. According to this rule, you can eat after sunset. Some people consume fruits during the day and eat a meal at night. However, even the night meal should consist of items permitted during the fast. For example, sago khichdi, water chestnuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peanuts, buckwheat flour, and barnyard millet rice, etc.

There are fasts and observances where a person remains without food all day and eats only once at night (after sunset). Such a fast is called 'Nakta Vrat,' and the person observing it is called 'Naktbhoji'.

What can and cannot be eaten or drunk during the Ekadashi fast?

1. Coffee: Coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit called coffee. Eating seeds or drinking their juice is considered forbidden during the fast. Coffee is a type of legume, and all types of legumes are prohibited during fasting. Cocoa powder is also the same.

2. Tea: Tea consists of the dried leaves of a plant and is generally classified as a shrub. Just as we cannot eat or drink the juice of other leaves like spinach and fenugreek during the fast, tea should also be considered forbidden.

3. Chyawanprash: Chyawanprash is made from more than 40 ingredients, so some ingredients that is considered forbidden during the Ekadashi fast may be present in it.

4. Paneer: Paneer is a processed form of milk. Even if it is made from cow's milk, it cannot be consumed during the Ekadashi fast.

5. Peas: Green peas are a type of legume, and their consumption is prohibited during the Ekadashi fast.

6. Tomatoes: Some people consider tomatoes a fruit, but their consumption is also considered forbidden.

7. Sharbat: All types of sherbets, like Rooh Afza, are considered forbidden on Ekadashi.

8. Drinks: Consumption of any type of drink, beer, alcohol, etc., is also prohibited.

9. Vegetables: On the day of Ekadashi, a person observing the fast should not consume vegetables like carrots, turnips, cabbage, spinach, etc.

10. Other foods: You should also avoid consuming foods such as chocolate, barley, eggplant, green beans, toffee, mushrooms, French fries, crispy corn, etc.

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