Ekadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi (एकादशी व्रत और पूजा विधि)
The Ekadashi vrat method: Dashami rules, resolve, worship, what to eat and what not, the parana time and precautions.
When to do it
- Ekadashi of the Shukla and Krishna paksha every month
- About 24 Ekadashis in a year
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Preparation on Dashami
In the evening of Dashami, eat a light sattvic meal. Avoid rice and tamasic food.
Morning of Ekadashi
Bathe, take the resolve for the fast and worship Vishnu.
Tulsi and yellow flowers
Offer tulsi leaves and yellow flowers. Avoid plucking tulsi on Ekadashi; use leaves plucked earlier or follow your family’s tradition.
Katha and japa
Listen to the katha of the Ekadashi concerned and chant Vishnu Sahasranama or the Lord’s names.
Conduct through the day
Keep a fruit or waterless fast, sing bhajans and kirtan, and stay away from anger and gossip.
Parana
On Dwadashi at the parana time given in the panchang, break the fast after giving food or charity to someone in need.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Take fruit, milk and sattvic food during the fast
- Follow the parana time
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Avoid grain and rice (tradition)
- Do not delay the parana on Dwadashi
Common mistakes
- Missing the parana time
- Keeping a strict fast despite being ill; take a doctor’s advice
- Treating only fasting as the vrat; self-restraint is also needed
Auspicious muhurat
The Ekadashi tithi and parana time change with the month and city. Check the panchang or vrat calendar.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
Why is rice not eaten on Ekadashi?
When should the Ekadashi parana be done?
Should an ill person keep the fast?
What can be eaten on Ekadashi?
Which Ekadashi is the most important?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.