What is the importance of Ekadashi 11th Lunar day ?

In Hinduism and Jainism it is considered a spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day beore Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.[citation needed]

Two Ekadashis occur in one month according to positions of the moon. One Ekadashi coincides with the times when the Moon is the closest to Earth (perigee) and the times when it is farthest from the Earth (apogee). These are also the times of high tide and low tide respectively. During Ekadashis in the Krishna paksha, the Moon is at its closest to the Earth and during Ekadashis in the Shukla paksha at its farthest from the Earth.

Ekadashi means fasting since morning to evening i.e., No breakfast, No lunch and No supper. (Abstain from certain foods, as for religious or medical reasons). But sufficient water can be consumed.

This is nothing but a way of keeping our digestive organs in good shape.

Scientifically it is proved that fasting helps our digestive organs healthy.

Ekadasi in Sanskrit means 'the Eleventh Day,' which occurs twice in a lunar month - once each on the 11th days of the bright and dark fortnight respectively. Known as the 'Day of Lord Vishnu,' it is a very auspicious time in the Hindu calendar and an important day to fast.

According to the Hindu scriptures, Ekadasi and the movement of the moon has a direct correlation with the human mind. It is believed that during Ekadasi, our mind attains maximum efficiency giving the brain a better capacity to concentrate. Spiritual seekers are said to devote the two monthly days of Ekadasi in extreme worship and meditation owing to its favourable influence on the mind. Religious reasons aside, these fortnightly fasts helps the body and its organs get respite from dietary irregularities and over indulgences. Lord Krishna says that if a person fasts on Ekadasi, "I shall burn all sins. This day is the most meritorious day to kill all sins."

This fast is not only said to remove sins and bad karma but also gain blessings and good karma. Lord Krishna says: "I shall remove all obstacles from his path of spiritual development and bestow upon him the perfection of life" if a person keeps regular and rigorous fast on Ekadasi. In the Garuda Purana, Lord Krishna names Ekadasi as one of the "five boats for the people who are drowning in the ocean of worldly existence", the others being Lord Vishnu, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Tulsi or holy basil, and the cow. In the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu says: "Among all plants, the Tulsi is my favorite, among all months, Kartik, among all pilgrimages, Dwaraka, and among all days, Ekadasi is most beloved."