Apara Ekadashi

Story of Apara Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

King Mahidhvaja of a small kingdom was gentle and just, but his younger brother Vajradhvaja hated him. One night Vajradhvaja killed the king and buried the body under a peepal tree. Without proper last rites, the king became a restless spirit who troubled everyone passing by. Sage Dhaumya saw this through his tapasya, helped the spirit move on and then kept Apara Ekadashi, giving its merit to the dead king. Freed from his suffering, Mahidhvaja ascended to heaven.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Apara Ekadashi

Apara means "limitless". The merit of this Ekadashi is said to be boundless. It is also called Achala Ekadashi, and in Odisha it is known as Jalakrida Ekadashi.

The tradition says that keeping Apara Ekadashi gives freedom from the sins of speech and deeds, and from a troubled afterlife. It falls in Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Vaishakha Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Apara Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.