Utpanna Ekadashi

Story of Utpanna Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

The demon Mura, son of Nadijangha, defeated the gods and chased them. Lord Vishnu fought him for a long time and then rested in a cave at Badrikashram. Mura came to strike him in his sleep. At that moment a radiant woman came out of Vishnu's body and destroyed Mura. Vishnu was pleased and named her Ekadashi. He granted that whoever fasts on her day would be freed from sin. This is the birth (utpatti) of Ekadashi, and so the vrat is traditionally started on Margashirsha Krishna Ekadashi.

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

Significance of Utpanna Ekadashi

Anyone who wants to start the Ekadashi vrat for the first time is advised to begin on Utpanna Ekadashi. The vrat of the whole year is then kept in a cycle from here.

The tradition says that keeping Utpanna Ekadashi gives the grace of Ekadashi Devi and a good start for the vrat. It falls in Margashirsha Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Kartik Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Ekadashi Devi and Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Utpanna 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 Ekadashi Devi and 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.