11th lunar day (Shukla and Krishna Paksha of every month)
एकादशी
Sacred bi-monthly fasting day dedicated to Lord Vishnu across all 24 lunar fortnights, offering spiritual purification, meditation, and Vrat Kathas.
The 24 Canonical Ekadashi Vrat Kathas
Occurring twice every lunar month during Shukla (waxing) and Krishna (waning) fortnights, each of the 24 sacred Ekadashis is dedicated to a distinct manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Drawn from authentic Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana dialogues between King Yudhishthira and Lord Sri Krishna, explore the complete calendar of vrat kathas, presiding deities, and fasting rules.
पापमोचनी एकादशी
Eradicates the heaviest sins and generational curses; Sage Medhavi and Apsara Manjughosha were redeemed through this sacred fast.
कामदा एकादशी
Fulfills all righteous desires (Kama); Lalit the Gandharva was liberated from a monstrous demon curse through his wife Lalita's devoted observance.
वरूथिनी एकादशी
Serves as an impenetrable spiritual shield (Varutha) against all perils; King Mandhata achieved supreme enlightenment through this observance.
मोहिनी एकादशी
Cuts through the web of delusion (Moha); Dhrishtabuddhi, a fallen prince, was fully purified through Sage Kaundinya's guidance.
अपरा एकादशी
Bestows boundless (Apara) spiritual merit; purifies grave sins such as false testimony and ungratefulness; Sage Dhaumya redeemed King Mahidhwaja.
निर्जला एकादशी
The crown jewel of all Ekadashis; observed completely without water; grants the cumulative spiritual merit of all 24 Ekadashis of the year.
योगिनी एकादशी
Cures all physical ailments and mental afflictions; Yaksha Hemamali was cured of severe leprosy by Sage Markandeya's instruction.
देवशयनी एकादशी
Marks the onset of Chaturmas; Lord Vishnu enters His four-month cosmic slumber (Yoga Nidra) upon Sheshanaga in the Ksheerasagara.
कामिका एकादशी
Purifies all accidental sins and deep remorse; worshipping Vishnu with Tulsi leaves on this day surpasses bathing in Kurukshetra and Kashi.
पुत्रदा एकादशी
Blesses childless couples with noble and virtuous progeny; King Mahijit was blessed with an heir through Sage Lomasha's wisdom.
अजा एकादशी
Restores lost honor, fortune, and family unity; Truthful King Harishchandra regained his kingdom, queen, and son through Sage Gautama's counsel.
परिवर्तिनी एकादशी
Lord Vishnu turns from His left to His right side in cosmic slumber; commemorates Lord Vamana's victory over King Bali and divine mercy.
इन्दिरा एकादशी
Falls during Pitru Paksha; directly delivers departed ancestors (Pitrus) from lower realms; King Indrasena liberated his father to Vaikuntha.
पापाङ्कुशा एकादशी
Acts as a sharp goad (Ankusha) reigning in the wild elephant of sins; hunter Krodhana attained Vaikuntha through Sage Angiras' guidance.
रमा एकादशी
Dedicated to Goddess Rama (Lakshmi); brings boundless spiritual and material abundance; Prince Shobhana attained an imperishable celestial realm.
प्रबोधिनी एकादशी
Lord Vishnu awakens from His four-month cosmic slumber, ending Chaturmas; celebrated with the sacred Tulsi Vivah and start of auspicious wedding rituals.
उत्पन्ना एकादशी
The divine origin of Ekadashi Devi; born as a radiant power from sleeping Vishnu to vanquish the demon Mura; the mother of all Ekadashi observances.
मोक्षदा एकादशी
Bestows ultimate liberation (Moksha); celebrated as Gita Jayanti when Sri Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra; King Vaikhanasa redeemed his father.
सफला एकादशी
Makes all endeavors fruitful (Saphala); Prince Lumpaka was completely transformed through an unconscious vigil beneath a sacred banyan tree.
पौष पुत्रदा एकादशी
Grants worthy offspring and dissolves ancestral grief; King Suketuman and Queen Shaibya obtained a noble son through the blessings of the Vishvadevas.
षट्तिला एकादशी
Prescribes the six sacred uses of sesame seeds (tila); teaches that spiritual penance without selfless food charity leaves the soul destitute in higher realms.
जया एकादशी
Liberates souls from ghostly and demonic embodiments (Pisacha yoni); singer Malyavan and dancer Pushpavati regained their celestial bodies from Indra's curse.
विजया एकादशी
Bestows supreme victory against insurmountable odds; Lord Sri Rama observed this fast on the advice of Sage Bakadalbhya before building the bridge to Lanka.
आमलकी एकादशी
Centers on the sacred Amla tree (Indian Gooseberry) born from Vishnu's tears; King Chitrasena and a sinful hunter attained salvation by vigil near the tree.
पद्मिनी एकादशी
Falls in the rare Adhika Masa (Purushottama Masa); Queen Padmini and King Kritavirya observed it under Sage Anasuya's counsel to beget Kartavirya Arjuna.
परमा एकादशी
Destroys extreme poverty, scarcity, and past-life karma; Brahmin Sumedha and his devoted wife Pavitra were blessed with limitless prosperity by Lord Kubera.