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Ekadashi — the 11th day of each lunar fortnight — is the most important fasting day in the Gaudiya Vaishnava calendar. Devotees strictly avoid ALL grains and observe the day in intensified chanting, hearing Bhagavatam, and devotional service. Parana (breaking the fast) is done the following morning before the Dvadasi end time.
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Maha-mantra
O Hare! O Krishna! O Rama! — the prescribed mantra for Ekadashi, when the mind is most receptive to spiritual practice.
How to recite
Chant 16 rounds before noon on Ekadashi; observe jagaran (night vigil) with kirtan; hear Bhagavatam; break the fast (parana) next morning between sunrise and the Dvadasi end time as per your local Gaudiya panchang.
Benefits
The Brahma-vaivarta Purana states that one who observes Ekadashi is freed from all sins. The Gaudiya acharyas — Sri Chaitanya, the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, and the parampara — emphasise Ekadashi as the most important weekly observance for the Vaishnava.
✦ Special Note
Gaudiya Vaishnava Ekadashi rule: NO GRAINS of any kind. Most devotees take fruits and dairy; the most devoted observe nirjala. Parana time next morning is between sunrise and the Dvadasi end — confirm with your math/temple's panchang. Staying awake on Ekadashi night with kirtan greatly multiplies the benefit.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Sabudana khichdi with rock salt and peanuts; fruit plate of banana, apple and grapes with cashews; parana next morning with grain-free prasadam before the full feast.
📜 The story behind this vrat
Once the sage Narada Muni asked Lord Vishnu — "O Lord, what is the greatest vrat a devotee can observe?" Lord Vishnu replied — "Narada, of all vrats Ekadashi is the most sacred. On this day a demon named Mura hid inside grains and pulses to corrupt the minds of humans. When devotees avoid grains on Ekadashi they starve this demon and protect their soul from impurity. I am most pleased by this fast…
Read full katha ›
Once the sage Narada Muni asked Lord Vishnu — "O Lord, what is the greatest vrat a devotee can observe?" Lord Vishnu replied — "Narada, of all vrats Ekadashi is the most sacred. On this day a demon named Mura hid inside grains and pulses to corrupt the minds of humans. When devotees avoid grains on Ekadashi they starve this demon and protect their soul from impurity. I am most pleased by this fast above all others." Narada asked — "Who first observed this vrat?" Lord Vishnu smiled and said — "Long ago a demon named Mura terrorised the heavens and my realm. I fought him for a thousand years and grew weary. I rested in a cave called Badarikashram. From my own divine energy a beautiful maiden emerged — born of my exhaustion and my shakti — and while I slept she fought Mura alone and slew him. When I awoke and saw what she had done I granted her a boon. She said — Lord, give me a name and let those who fast on the day of my birth be freed from all sin. I named her Ekadashi — she who was born on the eleventh day. I blessed her thus: Whoever fasts on Ekadashi shall be freed from the cycle of birth and death. Their devotion shall reach me directly. The sins of seven lifetimes shall be washed away in a single Ekadashi fast observed with pure heart and full devotion. This is why Ekadashi is the most beloved fast among all Vaishnavas. It comes twice every lunar month — on the eleventh day of the waxing moon and the eleventh day of the waning moon. Each Ekadashi carries its own name and its own special blessing. Observe it with devotion, stay awake in prayer if you can, and Lord Vishnu himself will hold you in his heart."
Your family's version of this story may differ — all versions are sacred.
🪔 Aarti
Lord Krishna
Aarti Kunj Bihari Ki
आरती कुंज बिहारी की, श्री गिरिधर कृष्ण मुरारी की ॥ गले में बैजंती माला, बजावे मुरली मधुर बाला । श्रवण में कुण्डल झलकाला, नंद के आनंद नंदलाला ॥ गगन सम अंग कांति काली, राधिका चमक रही आली । लतन में ठाढ़े बनमाली, भ्रमर सी अलक, कस्तूरी तिलक, चंद्र सी झलक, ललित छवि श्यामा प्यारी की ॥ कनकमय मोर मुकुट बिलसे, देवता दरसन को तरसे । गगन सों सुमन राशि बरसे, बाजे मुरचंग, मधुर मृदंग, ग्वालिन संग, अतुल रति गोप कुमारी की ॥ जहां ते प्रगट भई गंगा, कलुष कली हारिणि श्री गंगा । स्मरण ते होत मोह भंगा, बसी शिव सीस, जटा के बीच, हरे अघ कीच, चरण छवि श्री बनवारी की ॥ चमकती उज्ज्वल तट रेणु, बज रही वृंदावन बेणु । चहुं दिसि गोपी ग्वाल धेनु, हंसत मृदु मंद, चांदनी चंद, कटत भव फंद, टेर सुन दीन भिखारी की ॥
Lord Vishnu
Om Jai Jagdish Hare
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे । भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे ॥ जो ध्यावे फल पावे, दुःख बिनसे मन का । सुख सम्पत्ति घर आवे, कष्ट मिटे तन का ॥ मात-पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूं मैं किसकी । तुम बिन और न दूजा, आस करूं मैं जिसकी ॥ तुम पूरन परमात्मा, तुम अंतर्यामी । पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, तुम सबके स्वामी ॥ तुम करुणा के सागर, तुम पालनकर्ता । मैं सेवक तुम स्वामी, कृपा करो भर्ता ॥ तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति । किस विधि मिलूं दयामय, तुमको मैं कुमति ॥ दीनबंधु दुःखहर्ता, ठाकुर तुम मेरे । अपने हाथ उठाओ, अपनी शरण में लाओ ॥ विषय विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा । श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, संतन की सेवा ॥
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Get a reminder before the next Ekadashi (Vaishnava)
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