Know the Difference Between Smarta and Vaishnava: Ekadashi Fasting Clarified in Akola Purohit Sabha

Nirjala Ekadashi, considered one of the most significant fasting days in Sanatan Dharma, grants the spiritual merit of observing all 24 Ekadashis in a year. Traditionally observed by Bhima, this year the Smarta Nirjala Ekadashi falls on June 6, while Vaishnava Bhagwat Nirjala Ekadashi is on June 7. This variation often creates confusion among devotees. To address this, the Akola Purohit Sangh held a session at Balaji Temple, explaining the Smarta-Vaishnava distinction.
Smarta followers are householders who worship five deities  Hari, Shiva, Shakti, Ganapati, and Surya  and follow simpler rituals. They observe the first Ekadashi when two fall in a row. Vaishnavas, however, are strict followers of Lord Vishnu, who undertake austere practices like pre-dawn fasting, sleeping on the floor, and renouncing luxurious food. The session featured scholars including Pt. Sumit Tiwari, Alok Sharma, Ratan Tiwari, and others, urging devotees to fast according to their tradition and capacity.