The eleventh day (ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (August–September) is celebrated as a festival.
- This is devoted to the worship of Vishnu, as are all eleventh-day observances.
- Most Hindu holidays have specified rituals, which typically include fasting (upavasa) and devotion, and frequently promise particular rewards if they are followed faithfully.
- The most essential criterion for participating in this event is to spend the night in worship; doing so is said to purge one of all wickedness.
- The term Aja, which means "unborn," is one of Vishnu's epithets.
