Rama Ekadashi falls on the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. In 2025, Rama Ekadashi will be observed on 17th October. On this day, devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, worship Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, and observe a day-long fast. Observing this vrat enhances spiritual devotion and brings special blessings from Lord Vishnu.
What is Rama Ekadashi festival?
Rama Ekadashi Vrat is also known as Rambha Ekadashi. One of Goddess Lakshmi’s names is Rama, hence this vrat is popularly known as Rama Ekadashi. On this day, special worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi is performed. It is believed that by observing Rama Ekadashi, all sins are destroyed, and one attains Vaikuntha. According to the Padma Purana, the result of this vrat is equivalent to performing a thousand Ashwamedha Yagnas.
Rama Ekadashi Date and Time 2025
- Rama Ekadashi Date: October 17, 2025, Friday
- Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 16th October 2025 at 10:37 A.M.
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 17th October 2025 at 11:13 A.M.
- Parana Time: After sunrise on 18th October 2025.
The Story of Rama Ekadashi
In ancient times, there was a righteous and truth-loving king named Muchukunda. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and governed his kingdom with religious adherence. His daughter Chandrabhaga, as pure and virtuous as the Chandrabhaga River, was extremely beautiful and noble.
King Muchukunda married his daughter Chandrabhaga to Prince Shobhana, son of King Chandrasena. Once, Shobhana visited his in-laws during the period of Kartik Krishna Rama Ekadashi. The king ordered that on Ekadashi, no one in the city – not even animals or birds – should consume food or water.
Shobhana heard the announcement and asked his wife Chandrabhaga, “Beloved, tell me what should I do?”
Chandrabhaga replied, “My Lord, in my father’s kingdom, no one eats or drinks on Ekadashi. Even elephants, horses, and other animals fast. If you eat, you will be criticized by society. Hence, it is best that you observe this vrat too.”
Inspired by his wife’s words, Shobhana decided to observe the Ekadashi vrat. Though he kept the fast, his body suffered from hunger. The night became unbearable, and at sunrise the next morning, Shobhana left his mortal body.
King Muchukunda performed his son-in-law’s final rites with royal honors. After her husband’s death, Chandrabhaga stayed at her father’s home and continued performing post-death rituals for him.
Miraculous Effect of the Vrat
Due to the merit of observing Rama Ekadashi, Shobhana attained a divine city on the summit of Mount Mandarachal, filled with golden palaces. There, he became as prosperous and radiant as another Kubera.
In Muchukunda’s kingdom, there lived a learned Brahmin named Som Sharma. During a pilgrimage, he reached Mount Mandarachal, where he saw and recognized Shobhana. Shobhana welcomed him warmly and inquired about his father, wife, and kingdom.
Amazed by the splendor of the place, Som Sharma asked, “Prince, how did you obtain this wonderful city?”
Shobhana replied, “This city was granted to me by observing the Rama Ekadashi vrat in Kartik month. However, I observed it without full faith, so I fear this city may not be permanent. Please go and tell my wife Chandrabhaga everything.”
Chandrabhaga’s Renunciation and Reunion
Som Sharma returned and told Chandrabhaga the entire story. Hearing this, she became restless to meet her husband. She said, “O Brahmin! Please take me there. With the power of my vrat, I shall make the city eternal.”
Som Sharma took Chandrabhaga to the ashram of Sage Vamadeva near Mount Mandarachal. With the sage’s mantra power and her vrat merit, Chandrabhaga’s body turned divine. Then she went to meet Shobhana. Overjoyed, he seated her beside him on the throne.
Chandrabhaga said, “My Lord! Since the age of eight, I have observed every Ekadashi with devotion and discipline. By the merit of my vrat, this city shall now become eternal and filled with all kinds of prosperity.”
Lord Shri Krishna Himself tells Dharmaraj Yudhishthira that the Rama Ekadashi vrat is extremely auspicious. Its merit grants not only worldly desires but also divine pleasures in the afterlife. This story teaches us that a vrat performed with faith, discipline, and dedication transforms life into a divine and virtuous one.
Rama Ekadashi Rituals
- Sankalp and Conduct: After bathing early in the morning on Rama Ekadashi, take a vow for the vrat with full dedication. Wear yellow clothes and observe a fruit or water-only fast.
- Worship: Light a lamp in your home temple and perform proper worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Offer sandalwood paste, Ganga water, yellow flowers, and Tulsi leaves. Offer sweets and seasonal fruits, and ensure Tulsi is part of the offering.
- Chanting and Devotion: Spend the day chanting Vishnu-Lakshmi mantras and singing bhajans. Worship the Tulsi plant and listen to the vrat katha. In the evening, hold a night vigil and next morning, perform charity and break the fast.
Benefits of Rama Ekadashi
Observing Rama Ekadashi vrat brings many material and spiritual benefits. Worship of Lord Vishnu-Damodar and Goddess Lakshmi brings peace, prosperity, health, and fortune to the family. This vrat removes debts, enmity, diseases, and all kinds of suffering. It is believed that this vrat increases wealth and frees the devotee from all sins.
Rama Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Rama (Rama) Ekadashi vrat is considered extremely beneficial and meritorious. Worshiping Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi with proper rituals destroys all sins and leads to liberation. Below is a step-by-step method for worship that devotees can follow at home.
- Vrat Sankalp and Beginning
- a) Wake up at Brahma Muhurta, finish morning duties, and bathe.
- b) Wear clean and pure clothes.
- c) Purify the place of worship and install an idol or image of Lord Vishnu or His Vaman form.
- d) With water, rice, and flowers in hand, take the vrat vow:
- “Mama samasta papa-kshaya-purvaka Shri-Hari-prityartham Rama-Ekadashi-vratam aham karishye.”
- Puja Materials
- a) Offer Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, yellow sandalwood, and rice to the deity.
- b) Light a ghee lamp and incense.
- c) If you have a Shaligram (symbol of Vishnu) at home, bathe it with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and Ganga water).
- Worship of Lakshmi and Tulsi
- a) Worship Goddess Lakshmi and Tulsi along with Lord Vishnu.
- b) Place a lamp near the Tulsi plant, offer water, and recite these mantras:
- “Tulasyai Namah”
- “Om Shri Lakshmyai Namah”
- What to Offer as Prasad
- a) Offer fruits, candy, betel leaves, betel nuts, dry fruits, Panchamrit, etc.
- b) The devotee may partake the prasad, but only after completing the vrat.
- Fasting Rules
- a) Completely avoid grains, rice, wheat, pulses, salt, etc.
- b) Consume fruits, milk, sugarcane juice, coconut water, etc.
- c) If able, observe a Nirjala (waterless) fast, considered the best.
- Remain in Devotion All Day
- a) Chant the name of Lord Vishnu throughout the day.
- b) Chant these mantras:
- “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
- “Om Vishnave Namah”
- c) Read Vishnu Sahasranama, Vamana Stotra, and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
- Evening Worship and Aarti
- a) After sunset, again light a lamp and perform aarti of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.
- b) Blow the conch and place a lamp near the Tulsi plant.
- c) Sing evening aarti such as “Om Jai Jagdish Hare.”
- Bhajan-Kirtan and Vigil
- a) At night, organize group bhajans, spiritual discussions, or Hari Katha.
- b) Night vigil is highly important – avoid sleep as much as possible.
- Vrat Parana on Dwadashi Tithi
- a) Wake up early next morning before sunrise, bathe, and worship again.
- b) Donate food, clothes, and money to Brahmins, cows, the needy, widows, and children.
- c) Break the fast at the proper Parana time.
- d) Eat sattvic food such as khichdi, fruits, milk, sweets, or light food.
- During the vrat, avoid anger, harsh speech, tamasic food, impurity, falsehood, and sleep.
- This vrat is especially fruitful for liberation, sin cleansing, and marital bliss.
Mantras for Rama Ekadashi
Chanting Vishnu mantras on this day is considered highly beneficial. Key mantras include:
- Om Namo Narayanaya
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
- Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.
In addition, one may chant Lakshmi mantras like “Om Shreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe.” These mantras, when recited with devotion, invoke special blessings of Vishnu-Lakshmi.
Significance of Rama Ekadashi
Rama Ekadashi is regarded as a highly rewarding Ekadashi. The Puranas say that Lord Krishna considered it the most auspicious vrat, equivalent to performing a thousand Ashwamedha Yagnas. It is believed that devotees who observe this vrat attain liberation and Vaikuntha. Worshipping Vishnu and Lakshmi together brings prosperity and welfare.
Religious Importance of Rama Ekadashi
Rama Ekadashi holds a special place religiously. According to the Padma Purana, this vrat leads to salvation when performed with devotion, and eliminates all life’s troubles. Worshipping Tulsi and engaging in charity on this day is also considered highly auspicious. Since Rama is one of Goddess Lakshmi’s names, this vrat is dear to Lord Vishnu. Overall, Rama Ekadashi guides the devotee toward divine welfare, liberation from sins, and attainment of Vaikuntha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- In which states is Rama Ekadashi celebrated?
Rama Ekadashi is observed in most parts of India. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Krishna Ekadashi of Purattasi month. It falls in Kartik Krishna Paksha in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and other states.
- Why is Rama Ekadashi celebrated?
Scriptures describe Rama Ekadashi as a supremely virtuous vrat. It is believed that by observing this vrat, all sins of the devotee are destroyed, and one attains Vaikuntha. It is so meritorious that it equals a thousand Ashwamedha Yagnas, bringing prosperity and removing all obstacles.
- What should be done on Rama Ekadashi?
On this day, rise early, bathe, and perform proper worship of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Consume only sattvic food, worship a banana tree, and offer Arghya to the Sun God. Take the vrat vow and engage in bhajans, stories, and prayers throughout the day. Keep vigil at night and break the fast the next day after offering food to Brahmins.
- How to observe Rama Ekadashi at home?
To worship at home, light a lamp in your home temple, install the idols of Vishnu and Lakshmi, bathe them with Ganga water, and offer yellow flowers, Tulsi, and fruits. After worship, perform aarti and offer bhog. Specially worship Tulsi, as she is considered divine. End with katha recitation and night vigil, followed by charity and breaking the fast the next day.
- How to perform the puja of Rama Ekadashi?
After morning purification, light a lamp before a Kalash or deity. Bathe Lord Vishnu with Ganga water, offer yellow garments, yellow flowers, fruits, and Tulsi, and offer sattvic bhog. Recite mantras like “Om Namo Narayanaya,” and perform aarti of Lord Vishnu. Conclude with reading the Rama Ekadashi katha.
- When is Rama Ekadashi in 2025?
This year, Rama Ekadashi falls on 17th October 2025 (Friday).
Ekadashi Tithi Begins- 16th October 2025 at 10:37 A.M.
Ekadashi Tithi Ends-17th October 2025 at 11:13 A.M.
Parana Time- After sunrise on 18th October 2025.
- What not to do on Rama Ekadashi?
Certain restrictions apply on Rama Ekadashi: do not wear black clothes. Avoid rice, pulses, or grains. Refrain from tamasic foods. Do not touch Tulsi, as it is believed she observes a vrat that day. Follow all vrat rules, eat sattvic food, and avoid sleep and impure thoughts.
- What should be done on Rama Ekadashi?
On this day, perform worship of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Eat sattvic food, worship the Tulsi plant during puja, offer Arghya to the Sun God, chant Vishnu’s mantras, engage in bhajans and listen to the vrat katha throughout the day. Keep a night vigil to earn divine blessings from Shri Hari.
- Why is this Ekadashi called Rama Ekadashi?
One of Goddess Lakshmi’s names is Rama; hence, this Ekadashi is called Rama Ekadashi. Since Lakshmi joins in the worship on this day, this vrat is very dear to Lord Vishnu. That’s why it is named after Goddess Lakshmi (Rama).
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