Ekashna (Ekasana) means taking only one meal in the day, in one sitting, during daylight. Food is simple, pure, and freshly prepared. Here’s a clear guide on what to eat.

What you may eat (simple Jain meal)

• Grains: wheat chapati/rotli, rice, khichdi, daliya, millet (jowar, bajra).
• Pulses/dals: moong, toor, chana, urad, masoor (freshly cooked; not sprouted).
• Sabzi (non-root): lauki, tori/ridge gourd, tinda, pumpkin, tomato, bhindi, capsicum, brinjal, cucumber (avoid any leafy parts).
• Fats and spices: ghee or plant oils in moderation; dry spices like cumin, coriander seeds, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, hing; rock/sea salt.
• Milk and simple sweets: plain milk (as per your maryada), simple kheer or sheera prepared fresh, in moderation.
• Fruits and nuts: fresh, clean fruits (not overripe), nuts and dry fruits in small quantity.
• Water: only boiled and well-filtered; usually taken with the meal and not after sunset. For detailed water guidance:

What to avoid

• Root vegetables (kand): potato, onion, garlic, carrot, beet, radish, etc.
• Green leafy vegetables (saag): commonly avoided during Chaturmas/Paryushan by many traditions.
• Fermented foods: curd, buttermilk, cheese, yeast breads, idli/dosa, vinegar, alcohol.
• Sprouts and overripe/infested fruits.
• Leftovers, packaged/unknown purity foods, and anything after sunset.

How to structure the ekashna meal

• One sitting only: all food is placed before you; no refills after you start. If you get up, the meal is considered over.
• Eat mindfully, slowly, with gratitude and restraint. Keep the menu very simple.
• After finishing, rinse and refrain from any food or drink till the next day’s daylight.

Difference from Ayambil (for clarity)

• Ekashna: one normal Jain meal in one sitting (non-root, non-fermented, etc.).
• Ayambil: one very plain meal without oil/ghee/milk/curd/sugar; minimal dry spices; usually one-grain category.

Tradition notes

• Shwetambar: Ekashna is generally one simple daylight meal; boiled/filtered water allowed by day, not at night; many avoid leafy greens in Chaturmas/Paryushan.
• Digambar: Ekabhukta is often stricter—prefer taking water only with the meal; very simple preparations.

Helpful vidhi and discipline for Ekashna

• Sit on a fixed seat/patla; do not move it during the meal.
• Begin with bhav puja or Navkar; end with prayer and gratitude.
• For an easy step-by-step vidhi: