On Ekadasi, devotees fast from grains and beans. Full fasting or fasting from grains is observed according to one's capacity and devotion. The Ekadasi fast is a powerful spiritual practice that purifies the body and mind and advances one's devotional service to Lord Krishna.

The fast is broken the next morning after sunrise — this is called Paran. One should not break the fast before the Paran time. Permissible foods on Ekadasi include fruits, roots, milk, nuts, and certain vegetables (avoiding grains, beans, and certain spices).