The Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of Margashirsha month holds immense significance - it is called Utpanna Ekadashi, the day when Ekadashi itself was born.

Among the 24 Ekadashi fasts observed throughout the year, this is considered the beginning and the mother of all Ekadashi vratas. Observing this fast is believed to yield the combined benefits of all other Ekadashis.

Utpanna Ekadashi 2025: Date and Timings

• Festival Date: November 15, 2025
• Day: Saturday
• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: November 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: November 16, 2025 at 02:37 AM
• Parana Time (Breaking Fast): November 16, 2025 from 1:10 PM to 3:18 PM
• Hari Vāsar End Moment: November 16, 2025 09:09 AM

The fast must be broken only after Hari Vāsar has ended and before Dvādaśī Tithi concludes.

The Divine Origin: How Ekadashi Was Born

Long ago, a powerful demon named Murasura (Mura) terrorized all three worlds. With his immense strength, Mura had conquered gods, humans, and even celestial beings, spreading fear everywhere. In desperation, the gods sought refuge with Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash. Lord Shiva directed them to approach Lord Vishnu for protection.

Hearing about Mura's atrocities, Lord Vishnu mounted his divine vehicle Garuda and went to battle the demon. Even after using all his celestial weapons, Lord Vishnu could not defeat him. Realizing this would be a prolonged battle, Lord Vishnu fought for thousands of years but the demon remained invincible. Eventually, Lord Vishnu, pretending to be exhausted, entered a very long and beautiful cave in Badarikashrama called Himavati to rest in Yoga Nidra (meditative sleep).

The demon, seeing this as an opportunity to finish Lord Vishnu, followed him to the cave. As he was about to attack the sleeping Lord Vishnu, a brilliant divine energy emerged from his body. This energy took the form of a beautiful and fierce goddess - Ekadashi Devi. She rose to protect her Lord.

The goddess swiftly destroyed the demon, completely annihilating him. When Lord Vishnu awakened and saw the body of the demon Mura and the glorious form of the goddess, He was extremely pleased. Since she was born on the waning moon, eleventh day (Ekadashi), Lord Vishnu named her Ekadashi. He blessed her with a divine boon: 'O Ekadashi! Since you have killed Mura, I declare that anyone who observes your fast with devotion will have all their sins destroyed and will attain my supreme abode, Vaikuntha.' This is why this day is called Utpanna (birth/origin) Ekadashi, marking the beginning of all Ekadashi fasts.

Utpanna Ekadashi 2025: Detailed Puja Vidhi

Preparation on Dashami (November 14, 2025):

• Eat sattvic food on Dashami and avoid tamasic foods
• On Ekadashi morning (November 15), wake up during Brahma Muhurat
• Take a purifying bath, preferably in holy water or add Ganga jal to your bath water

Required Puja Items:

• Lord Vishnu idol or picture (preferably in Shaligram form)
• Yellow cloth for offering
• Flowers and garlands (especially lotus and marigolds)
• Incense, lamps, and pure ghee
• Naivedya (food offerings): fruits, milk, curd, honey, ghee, Ganga water, and tulsi leaves
• Tulsi leaves (pluck them in the evening of Dashami itself)

Puja Steps:

1. Establish your sankalp (vow) by offering water, flowers, and rice to Lord Vishnu. State your intention to observe the Utpanna Ekadashi fast for Lord Vishnu's grace and purification of sins.
2. Place Lord Vishnu's idol or picture on a yellow cloth and invoke His presence with flowers and offerings.
3. Offer 16 traditional upachara (services) to the deity, including new clothes, incense, and light lamps while chanting 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'.
4. Offer special bhog (prasad) made without grains - fruits, milk products, and falahari foods.
5. Recite the Utpanna Ekadashi Katha and chant Vishnu Sahasranama or 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' throughout the day as much as possible.

What to Eat and Avoid During Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat

✅ Foods Allowed (Falahari Foods)

• Fruits: All types of fresh fruits
• Vegetables: Potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, cucumber, bottle gourd, raw banana
• Dairy: Pure milk, curd, paneer, buttermilk, ghee
• Nuts: Cashews, almonds, raisins, peanuts
• Special flours: Singhara (water chestnut) flour, Kuttu (buckwheat) flour, Rajgira flour, Sabudana

❌ Foods to Avoid

• All grains: Rice, wheat, barley, corn, oats, millet
• Lentils and beans: All types of dal and pulses
• Regular salt (use rock salt/sendha namak instead)
• Onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food
• Any form of intoxicants

Benefits of Observing Utpanna Ekadashi

• Purification of Sins: Observing this fast, especially with charity and devotion, is believed to cleanse unknowingly committed sins
• Lord Vishnu's Grace: Donation and selfless devotion on this day are extremely dear to Lord Vishnu and attract His special blessings
• Prosperity and Peace: Charity given to those in need brings happiness, prosperity, and wealth to one's home
• Eternal Benefits: As Utpanna Ekadashi is the origin of all Ekadashis, the benefits of this fast are considered eternal and imperishable
• Liberation: Sincere observance with proper vidhi leads to moksha and Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu's supreme abode)

May you observe this Utpanna Ekadashi 2025 with complete devotion and purity. May Lord Vishnu bless you with prosperity, peace, and spiritual progress. Jai Shri Hari!

To find precise timings for your city, check the Panchang or Choghadiya for November 15, 2025.