Can We Eat Apples in Ekadashi Fast? The Complete Vrat Guide

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Hindu tradition and scriptures, fruits are generally considered a permissible food item during an Ekadashi fast, making it acceptable to eat apples. This type of fast, known as 'phalahari,' is a common option for those who cannot observe a complete waterless fast, offering both spiritual merit and physical sustenance.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies that apples are allowed in an Ekadashi fast, particularly as part of a fruit-based or 'phalahari' diet. It explains the different levels of fasting, lists other permitted foods like milk products and nuts, and details the strictly forbidden items such as grains, pulses, and certain vegetables.

Key Points

Apples are Allowed: Apples are considered a permitted fruit for an Ekadashi fast, fitting into the 'phalahari' or fruit-based diet.
Phalahari Fast: This type of fast allows fruits and is a common alternative for those unable to observe a stricter 'nirjala' fast without food or water.
Avoid Grains and Pulses: The core rule of Ekadashi is to abstain from all grains and legumes, as they are considered to contain sin on this day.
Other Permitted Foods: In addition to apples, you can consume milk and milk products, nuts, certain root vegetables like potatoes, and specialized flours.
Use Rock Salt: For cooking permitted items, only rock salt ('sendha namak') should be used, as regular table salt is forbidden.
Beyond Diet: The Ekadashi fast is also about spiritual enrichment, with devotees spending time in prayer, chanting, and meditation to achieve purification.

Understanding the Ekadashi Fast

Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the lunar cycle, is a significant day for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Observed twice a month, the fast is meant to purify the body and mind, dedicating more time to spiritual activities like chanting and meditation. The fast is also believed to have scientific benefits, such as resting the digestive system and promoting detoxification. While the most stringent form is the 'nirjala' (waterless) fast, most people opt for a partial fast tailored to their health and physical capabilities. This flexibility is where the question of including fruits like apples becomes relevant.

The Phalahari Diet: When Fruits Are Permitted

For those who cannot abstain from all food and water, the 'phalahari' (fruit-based) diet is a widely accepted alternative. The term literally translates to 'fruit diet,' and it is a common way to observe Ekadashi while maintaining energy levels. In this type of fast, all kinds of fresh and dried fruits are permitted. This definitively includes apples, which can be eaten raw, juiced, or in a fruit salad with other permissible ingredients. The key is to ensure any additional components in a fruit salad, such as cream or spices, are also Ekadashi-compliant. The rationale behind allowing fruits is that they are considered sattvic (pure) and do not contain the sins believed to reside in grains on Ekadashi.

Rules for a Beginner's Ekadashi Vrat

First-time fasters or those with health considerations can follow a few simple guidelines to successfully observe Ekadashi. Start by making a sincere vow ('sankalp') to observe the fast. Focus on spiritual practices like chanting mantras, reading scriptures, and meditating. Regarding diet, adhere strictly to the list of allowed foods and avoid the forbidden ones. Staying hydrated with water, fruit juice, or buttermilk is crucial, especially when abstaining from solid food. It is also advised to eat lightly and avoid overindulgence, even with permitted foods, as the goal is spiritual restraint, not feasting. Breaking the fast ('parana') the next day at the correct time, with a grain-based meal, is an important step to complete the ritual.

Comparison of Allowed vs. Disallowed Foods

During an Ekadashi fast, it is important to distinguish between what can and cannot be consumed. The table below provides a clear overview based on traditional guidelines.


Permitted Foods (Sattvic)	Strictly Forbidden (Tamasic/Rajasic)
Fruits: Apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, pomegranates, melons, coconut, avocado.	Grains: Rice, wheat, corn, oats, millet, barley.
Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios (but not sesame or mustard).	Pulses & Beans: All types of lentils (dals), chickpeas, green peas, legumes.
Dairy: Cow's milk, curd (yogurt), buttermilk, ghee, fresh paneer.	Tamasic Vegetables: Onion, garlic, mushrooms.
Flours: Singhara atta (water chestnut), kuttu atta (buckwheat), rajgira atta (amaranth).	Certain Spices: Hing (asafoetida), fenugreek, cumin, sesame seeds.
Root Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin.	Oils: Mustard oil, sesame oil, corn oil.
Salt: Rock salt (sendha namak).	Honey: Often avoided.

Permissible Apple-Based Recipes for Ekadashi

Incorporating apples into your Ekadashi diet can be simple and delicious. Here are a few ideas:

Simple Fruit Salad: Combine chopped apples with bananas, grapes, and other allowed fruits. Drizzle with a little honey (if permitted by your tradition) or sprinkle with a pinch of rock salt for taste. A dollop of fresh cream is also an option.
Apple Kheer: Grate apples and cook with cow's milk and a little sugar or jaggery. Add crushed nuts like almonds for texture and flavor. This makes a nutritious and filling dessert.
Apple Smoothie: Blend chopped apples with cold milk or curd and a few cashews. Add a little cardamom powder for a subtle spice. It's a quick way to get energy and nutrients.
Baked Apples with Nuts: Core an apple, fill the center with crushed nuts and a little jaggery. Bake until soft. This warm dish is comforting and provides energy.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to "Can we eat apples in Ekadashi fast?" is a resounding yes, provided one is following a phalahari diet. Apples are a wholesome, sattvic food that fits perfectly within the permissible dietary guidelines of this spiritual observance. By focusing on fruits, nuts, dairy, and approved flours, devotees can maintain their physical strength while dedicating their mind and soul to Lord Vishnu. The Ekadashi fast, in its various forms, offers a meaningful path to purification, self-discipline, and spiritual connection, with apples and other fruits serving as a nourishing part of the journey.

For more detailed information on Ekadashi rules and traditions, visit the Hare Krishna Movement's official website: Hare Krishna Movement, Mumbai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can have fruit juice during an Ekadashi fast, as it falls under the 'phalahari' (fruit-based) category of fasting. Just ensure it is freshly made and does not contain any added ingredients that are forbidden, such as regular salt or preservatives.

Most fresh and dried fruits are allowed during Ekadashi. Some regional variations exist, so it's best to consult your specific tradition, but apples, bananas, grapes, and mangoes are generally accepted.

A 'nirjala' fast is the most stringent form where a person abstains completely from both food and water for 24 hours. A 'phalahari' fast is less strict and allows the consumption of fruits and water.

Yes, an apple smoothie made with cow's milk is permissible during an Ekadashi fast. As milk products are allowed, this combination provides a nourishing and compliant meal option.

Yes, you can include apples in a fruit salad with fresh cream, as both are permitted foods on Ekadashi. Just make sure the cream is pure and free of any additives.

According to tradition, it is believed that sin takes shelter in grains on the day of Ekadashi, and consuming them hinders the spiritual purification process. Fasting from grains is also thought to have scientific benefits for the body's digestive system.

Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic medical conditions should avoid a very strict or 'nirjala' fast. It is advisable for them to opt for a more lenient, fruit-based or partial fast.