Eka-dashi (or the eleventh day per the Hindu lunar calendar) is considered as a spiritual day and we usually observe a partial fast. We don’t eat grains, vegetables, beans as they are supposed to be polluted by sins. Instead, we eat some specific food like milk products, some roots, fruits. We are supposed to observe the fast from the morning of Eka-dashi to the evening (i.e sunrise to sunset)
Every fasting day throughout the year have specific names and importance attached. The most important fasting day is the “Ashadi-eka-dashi” that typically falls between July-August each year.
Traditionally, many households in India who observed the fast would cook / eat at home. The cooking would be very different given the restrictions on beans and grain (+meat is out of question, as we are talking about 100% vegetarian eaters). This traditional way of cooking has been in practice for many years which include some recipes from the taro extracts, potatoes, colocassia etc.
Interestingly, over the period of time, the hospitality industry has grabbed this opportunity to commercialize the eat-out and take-away for the fasting days as well. These days the food lovers go crazy about these foods.
Prominently, in the city of Pune, India, we need to book a table in 2 month advance to get a nice fasting meal on these day. I have listed down my favorites for the fasting food also called as “upavasa-chi-thali”. Me and family have eaten in all these places and just loved them all 
1) Asha Dining Hall
4.2
Maharashtrian Restaurant · Apte Road, Deccan Gymkhana
Opens at 11:30 am
“Home made food! dont miss it if you are in Pune”
2) Krishna Dining
4.0
₹₹ · Maharashtrian Restaurant · Kanchan Galli, Law College Rd
Opens at 11:30 am
“Great”
3) Hotel Shreyas
4.1
Modest hotel with vegetarian dining
“Amazing local (Pune) food. one of the best in Pune. Shreyas along with Krishna dinning hall are must visits.”
4) Ashirwad Dinning Hall
3.8
Family-friendly · 14, Swapnada housing Society, Karve Rd
Opens at 11:00 am
5) Durvankur Dining Hall
4.2
₹₹ · Maharashtrian Restaurant · Shop No. 1166, Tilak Road, Hatti Ganapati Chowk, Near Sahitya Parishad, Sadashiv Peth
Opens at 12:00 pm
My personal favorite is Asha dining hall. Have you tried yet? Let me know.
Eat healthy, stay healthy !
Regards,
Praveen
