The Ekadashi which falls in the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month is called Aja Ekadashi. It is believed that fasting on Aja Ekadashi gives virtue equal to the Ashwamedha Yagya. On the day of Ekadashi, Lord Shri Hari is worshiped according to the law. The fast and worshipers of Aja Ekadashi get the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
On the day of Aja Ekadashi, special importance has been given for charity and meditation. Therefore, fasting story has special significance on the day of Aja Ekadashi. On the day of Aja Ekadashi, by listening or reading the fasting story, Shri Hari gets rid of all the troubles.

Aja Ekadashi Vrat Significance
The auspicious Annada or Aja Ekadashi Vrat relieves the devotee of sins and helps to get liberation from the cycle of birth and death. He/she is protected from evil energies, harm, danger, Black Magic, Ghosts etc. The devotee lives a prosperous, healthy and happy life, by the grace of Lord Vishnu. The Annada Ekadashi Vrat Katha clearly narrates how Raja(King) Harishchandra got relieved of his sins by observing the Anaada Ekadashi Vrat. As per the ancient texts, merely hearing or reading the Annada Ekadashi Vrat Katha is equivalent to the fruits earned performing Ashwamedha Yajna. Abstaining from eating or drinking anything on Annada Ekadashi requires devotion, patience and control over one’s senses It is an important Vrat to observe, to appease Lord Vishnu in the Hrisikesha form.

AJA EKADASHI PRESIDING DEITY
The presiding Deity of Annada Ekadashi or Aja Ekadashi is Lord Hrishikesha, which is one of the names of Lord Vishnu, which means Lord of senses or the One who is in control of senses. Hrishikesha or Hrisikesha is among the 108 names and the twenty forms of Lord Vishnu. Among the other meaning of Hrisikesha, a beautiful version also says, the Lord Who turns all the senses of His devotees towards Him. Observing the Annada Ekadashi Vrat and worshipping Lord Hrishikesha with complete devotion and sincerity brings His benevolent blessings.
VRAT KATHA
As mentioned in the ‘Brahmavaivarta Purana’ the Annada Ekadashi Vrat Katha was narrated to Yudhisthira(the eldest Pandava brother) by Lord Krishna, when He wanted to know the name and merits of the Krishna Paksha Ekadashi in Bhadrapada month(August -September).
The Annada Ekadashi Vrat Katha is about Raja Harishchandra, was known for His truthfulness. He was a kind King who was liked by the people of His kingdom and lived happily with His wife and son. However, King Harishchandra had a terrible stroke of fate in which He lost His Kingdom and became so impoverished that He had to sell off His wife and son.
He became the slave of a Chandal (who burns corpses in the crematorium) and had to participate in collecting clothes from the dead bodies. But He never lost His integrity and pious nature.
After years of living such a life, in a state of despair, not knowing where life was taking Him, Harishchandra was overwhelmed by sorrow and worry. He wanted to be free from the terrible life He was forced to live. Once a great Sage happened to pass by and Harishchandra took the opportunity to tell the respected Sage His story and asked Him what He can do to get out of the unbearable life He was suffering. The Sage was none other than the great Gautam Muni, who was moved by the story of King Harishchandra.

Gautam Muni compassionately told Harishchandra to observe fast on the Annada/Aja Ekadashi which falls in the month of Bhadrapada(Bhadra) with sincerity, which will absolve His sins and relieve Him from poverty.
Harishchandra took the advice of Gautam Muni and followed the Aja or Annada Ekadashi Vrat with dedication and devotion. All His sins were dissolved after the observance of Vrat. He won back His Kingdom and got back His wife and son, who had actually died but were brought back to life. Due to the merits of the Annada Ekadashi Vrat King Harishchandra, once again could live a happy life.
FASTING PROCEDURE
The Annada Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi are to be followed meticulously.
– Aja or Annada Ekadashi Vrat starts on the morning of Ekadashi and the Sankalp(intension) of observing the Vrat(fast) should be taken after having bath early in the morning, preferably before sunrise.
– Invoke and worship Lord Hrisikesha/Vishnu.
– Beans and grains are prohibited to eat on Ekadashi for devotees who are fasting by eating one meal on Ekadashi.
– Non vegetarian food, onion, garlic is strictly not allowed on Ekadashi and Dwadashi. Drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, tobacco, other addictions and sex are prohibited on the two days.
– Sleeping during the day or night during Ekadashi Vrat is disallowed. The devotee should chant/ sing praises of Lord Vishnu/Krishna, chant the Vishnu Sahasranama, read the Bhagawat Geeta and other holy books through the day and night.
– Talking/thinking ill of others or self, gossiping, does not give the desired outcome of the Ekadashi Vrat.
– Maintain calmness, avoid anger/aggression for the best outcome of observing the Annada/Aja Vrat.
– Distribute the Prasad to family members and as many people as possible on Dwadashi.
– Devotees who observe fast should not eat food in other people’s house on the day after Ekadashi.
– The next morning give charity to Brahmanas respectfully ask them for forgiveness for any offence. Donating to the needy is also advised which garners Lord Vishnu’s blessings.
– For people who observe Annada Ekadashi Vrat, when breaking the fast, should say the prayer – “O Pundarikaksha, O lotus-eyed Lord, now I will eat. Please shelter me”.
– After the prayer the devotee should offer flowers and water at the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu and request the Lord to eat by chanting the mantra of eight-syllable, thrice: Om Namoh Narayanaya. To garner the full merits of the fast, the devotee should have water which has been offered to the Lord.
– On Dwadashi only one meal should be eaten and Honey and Urad-dal(black lentil) is not to be consumed.
– For devotees observing fast, if due to some unavoidable reason they are not able to break the fast on Dwadashi during Prana time, then drinking water to signify breaking of fast is advised. Later food can be eaten as per convenience.