WHAT IS EKADASHI?
Ekadashi is an auspicious day which occurs on the eleventh lunar day of the two lunar phases in a month, Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. In a spiritual context, it signifies eleven senses constituting 5 sensory organs and 5 organs of action and the mind. It is considered to be one of the most auspicious days to observe Vrat (fast). Vrat is observed by controlling the 10 senses and mind and consuming fruit, milk and a few vegetables while abstaining from consuming rice, beans and grains. Scientifically, moon has a direct impact on the mental frequency of a person on these days. Thus, vrat is observed to help direct high mental energy in the right direction and refrain from ill deeds. It is penance done to control our senses and immerse ourselves in a higher level of consciousness. There are 24 Ekadashi in a year where each Ekadashi holds a special significance and is associated with different incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
EKADASHI 2025 ISKCON
Ekadashis are also celebrated on a grand scale by ISKCON devotees worldwide. The Iskcon Ekadashi list for ISKCON is prepared by the Governing Body Commission (GBC) Vaisnava Calendar Committee of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). There is not much difference as it goes by the same Ekadasi fasting and Parana rules as those followed by Smartians. (Smarta, the followers of Smriti texts, is a non-sectarian society of Hinduism, making no difference between Vaishnava, Shaiva or Shakti. They see Brahman (the Divine light) as the source of all deities.
For the Smartians, Ekadashi starts at sunrise, and for Vaishnava (Iskcon) Ekadashi starts at Brahma-Muhurta two hours before sunrise.
IMPORTANCE / SIGNIFICANCE OF EKADASHI
For every 30th and the 48th day, the body reactivates and rejuvenates itself, and consuming a lot of food during that time may create a negative sensation and discomfort in the body. The Vedas recommended undergoing a full or partial fast during those three days of Ekadashi. This relates to the waning and waxing cycle of the moon.
The prominent ways of taking up Ekadashi are:
- Nirjala: It means not consuming any form of food for the whole day.
- Sajala: It means to run the body for the whole day on water and fruit juices, and other liquid food items.
- Farali: It means to spend the whole body by taking only milk and fruits.
Ekadashi purifies the mind and keeps the body fresh by detoxifying and refreshing bodily fluids. It prevents the formation of any kind of tumour and avoids carcinogenic diseases.
- It also helps keep the sugar level under control, thereby preventing the chances of diabetic diseases.
- It helps fat globules convert to energy, so the unwanted fat and cholesterol are cleansed.
- After fasting, the body is more energetic and fresh.
EKADASHI STORY
Each Ekadashi from the above-mentioned types has a different story with a historical background. For instance, the Putrada Ekadashi is observed to attain a male child. This comes from a different story where Lord Vishnu had emerged to satisfy His devotee’s desire to obtain a male child. Similarly, Mohini Ekadashi is being followed by people to wipe away their sins done in a previous life. This Ekadashi has its prominence due to the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu, and so people who are suffering from previous sins can get relieved by observing such penance. This despite promoting spirituality; also encourages people to worship women for a social cause. Other such Ekadashi stories depict epic puranic stories too. One best example is the Mokshada Ekadashi, which propagates the principles of Mahabharata, the sermon of Lord Krishna to Arjuna. Each Ekadashi has a different story that convinces the devotee to dedicate himself completely to the ritual to gain complete benefits.
WHAT TO DO ON EKADASHI DAY? EKADASHI FASTING / VRAT AND PUJA VIDHI
Fasting is one of the most essential parts of Ekadashi. One should be aware of the puja vidhi of the particular Ekadashi. One should not take any food prohibited during a particular Ekadashi. For instance, Yogini Ekadashi requires a devotee to eat only fruits. So, avoiding unnecessary food items can help you to dedicate yourself to an Ekadashi.
On an Ekadashi, people usually fast for the whole day. Those who cannot fast the whole day observe a partial fast by consuming fruits and liquid items. On some Ekadashi, the devotees stay awake until dawn and worship Lord Krishna. For instance, on Amalaki Ekadashi, devotees glorify the Amla tree as it is believed to be Lord Krishna’s residence. They offer coconut and flowers before the tree and perform rituals.
Benefits of Ekadashi vrat
- Fasting on Ekadashi increases your spiritual strength.
- It increases the immunity power of the body.
- Fasting helps get relief from all the reactionary sins that were committed either knowingly or unknowingly.
- It detoxifies your body and replenishes it with fresh energy.
To conclude, ancient practices always lead us towards some amazing path as they would have created such rituals from their experience. We all know that traditionalism should be protected. Here, it is not about protection, But about the trust and maintenance of the Vedic ritual practice. So, pick up your desired practice and choose the date for that particular Ekadashi to happen and just follow up. Let us embrace traditionalism.
EKADASHI 2025 CALENDAR
Ekadashi is strictly followed in many parts of India by Hindus and Jains; and hence, it varies according to certain principles, needs and wants of the devotees. Nearly 25 different types of Ekadashi are observed in a year to purify one’s mind, senses and body.
Putrada/ Vaikunth Ekadashi in the month of Paush bright fortnight
Date: January 10, 2025, Friday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Shat-tila Ekadashi in the month of Magh dark fortnight
Date: January 25, 2025, Saturday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Jaya Ekadashi in the month of Magh bright fortnight
Date: February 8, 2025, Saturday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Vijaya Ekadashi in the month of Falgun dark fortnight
Date: February 24, 2025, Monday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Amalaki Ekadashi in the month of Falgun bright fortnight
Date: March 10, 2025, Monday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Padmini Visuddha Ekadashi
For freedom from sins and attaining the supreme abode
Paramaa Shuddha Ekadashi
For the merit ten times more than offering a thousand cows to a Brahman
Paap mochani Ekadashi in the month of Chaitra dark fortnight
Date:
March 25, 2025, Tuesday
For freedom from sins and immoral act.
Kaamada Ekadashi in the month of Chaitra bright fortnight
Date :
April 8, 2025, Tuesday
For desire fulfilment
Varutthini Ekadashi in the month of Vaishakh dark fortnight
Date:
April 24, 2025, Thursday
For a sinless life filled with happiness.
Mohini Ekadashi in the month of Vaishakh bright fortnight
Date :
May 8, 2025, Thursday
For relief from all sufferings
Apara Ekadashi in the month of Jyesth dark fortnight
Date :
May 23, 2025, Friday
For name and fame
Nirjala Ekadashi in the month of Dwitiya Jyesth bright fortnight
Date:
June 6, 2025, Friday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Yogini Ekadashi in the month of Aashadh dark fortnight
Date:
June 21, 2025, Saturday
For piety and good deeds
Devshayni Aashadhi Ekadashi in the month of Aashadh bright fortnight
Date:
July 6, 2025, Sunday
For Moksha (liberation)
Kamika Ekadashi in the month of Shravan dark fortnight
Date :
July 21, 2025, Monday
For freedom from the results of committing the most heinous crime
Putrada/ Pavitra Ekadashi in the month of Shravan bright fortnight
Date: August 5, 2025, Tuesday
For a wish to be blessed with a male child.
Aja Ekadashi in the month of Bhadrapad dark fortnight
Date: August 19, 2025, Tuesday
For freedom from all sins and gaining higher consciousness
Parivartini/Parsva Ekadashi in the month of Bhadrapad bright fortnight
Date: September 3, 2025, Wednesday
For liberating forefathers from hell (abode of Yamaraja)
Indira Ekadashi in the month of Ashwin dark fortnight
Date: September 17, 2025, Wednesday
For liberating forefathers from hell (abode of Yamaraja)
Papankusha Ekadashi in the month of Ashwin bright fortnight
Date: October 3, 2025, Friday
For fulfilment of any desire and Moksha (liberation)
Ramaa Ekadashi in the month of Kartik dark fortnight
Date: October 17, 2025, Friday
For elevation of fallen souls to a much higher consciousness
Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik bright fortnight
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Utpanna Ekadashi in the month of Margshirsh dark fortnight
Date: November 15, 2025, Saturday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Mokshada Ekadashi in the month of Margshirsh bright fortnight
Date: December 1, 2025, Monday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
Saphala Ekadashi in the month of Paush dark fortnight
Date: December 15, 2025, Monday
For control over senses and relief from sins and sufferings
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Sulekha Chandra
|October 28, 2024
Enlightening article. Thank you 🙏 so much