Aja (Annada) Ekadashi 2025: Lord Hrishikesha will bless you.

Aja Ekadashi Presiding Deity

The presiding deity of Aja Ekadashi is Lord Hrishikesha, a form of Lord Vishnu. The divine name Hrishikesha means “Lord of the Senses,” signifying one who has perfect control over the senses and guides devotees to higher consciousness. Worshipping Lord Hrishikesha on this day with true devotion invokes his blessings for self-discipline, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.

Aja Ekadashi Tithi & Muhurat (Date & Time)

Note: Parana (breaking the fast) must be performed within the Dwadashi tithi (the 12th lunar day) for maximum spiritual benefits.

Aja Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Procedure)

1. Begin preparations from the morning of Ekadashi (preferably before sunrise).

2. Take a holy bath and wear clean or yellow clothes.

3. Take the Sankalp (vow) to keep the fast with devotion and righteous intention.

4. Strict dietary restrictions:

   • Avoid grains, beans, onion, garlic, meat, and alcohol.

   • Only Saatvik food (fruits, milk, nuts, root vegetables) is allowed if partial fasting.

   • Complete fasting (nirjala or water-only) can be done by determined devotees.

5. Maintain calmness; avoid anger, aggression, gossip, and negative thoughts.

6. Refrain from day and night sleeping, as well as physical intimacy.

7. Chant Lord Vishnu’s names, recite holy scriptures (e.g., Vishnu Sahasranama), and sing bhajans.

Aja Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Puja Procedure)

1. Morning Worship: Clean your puja space, ideally in the Northeast corner.

2. Install Lord Vishnu’s idol or image, placing it on a raised platform covered with a clean cloth.

3. Setup for Puja:

   • Place some wheat or rice grains on the platform.

   • Place a Kalash (sacred water pot) with a coconut and betel leaves on it.

   • Light a ghee lamp (diya) and offer flowers, incense, and fruits.

   • Perform abhishek (ritual bathing) of Lord Vishnu’s idol (if available) with water and tulsi leaves.

   • Apply chandan (sandalwood) paste as tilak.

   • Offer tulsi leaves and homemade sweets as bhog (offering).

   • Recite Lord Vishnu’s mantras, stotras, and the Vishnu Sahasranama.

   • Conclude with aarti and distribute prasad.

Aja Ekadashi Puja & Vrat (Fasting) Mantras

Chanting the following mantras enhances the spiritual outcome of the vrat:

• Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

• Vishnu Sahasranama (thousand names of Lord Vishnu)

• “Shri Hrishikeshaya Namaha” (Salutations to Lord Hrishikesh)

• Ekadashi Vrat Katha Patha (reading/listening to the fasting legend)

Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The Aja Ekadashi Vrat Katha narrates the moving story of King Harishchandra, who lost his kingdom, wife, and son but, by observing the Aja Ekadashi fast as instructed by Sage Gautama, was absolved of all past sins. His steadfastness and devotion moved the deities, restoring his family and kingdom and granting him liberation. Merely listening to or reading this sacred katha is believed to bring blessings equivalent to performing the grand Ashwamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice ritual).

Annada (Aja) Ekadashi Vrat (Fast) Significance

• Spiritual cleansing: Frees devotees from accumulated sins and bestows forgiveness for past misdeeds.

• Path to moksha (liberation): Granting entrance to the divine realm of Lord Vishnu post earthly life.

• Worldly benefits: Abundance, prosperity, family well-being, and removal of obstacles.

• Fasting and donating on this day are highly auspicious with multiplied spiritual merit.

Annada Ekadashi “Daan” (Donation)

Charity (daan) performed on Aja Ekadashi amplifies the positive effects of the vrat. Donating essential items to the needy is especially recommended:

Food Items:

• Donate grains, rice, wheat, pulses, fruits, and sweets.

• Offering food to the poor, animals, and birds is highly meritorious.

Clothing:

• Donate clean, new, or gently used clothes to the underprivileged.

Donating Money:

• Financial contributions to charitable organizations, temples, or direct assistance to the needy are considered auspicious.

Religious Items:

• Donate sacred books (Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana), tulsi plants, and religious pictures.

• Support temple needs such as lamps, incense, or puja utensils.

Shelter and Support:

• Assistance for orphans, widows, or providing shelter to the homeless.

Cows and Animal Care:

• Donating to gaushalas (cow shelters) or sponsoring animal food/care brings special grace in Hindu tradition.

By following the above vrat procedures, performing puja with devotion, chanting the recommended mantras, and engaging in heartfelt charity, devotees can maximize the blessings and spiritual fruits of Aja Ekadashi 2025.