Rama Ekadashi is seen as the most awaited and pious fasting days dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Rama Ekadashi is celebrated on Krishna Paksha of Kartik month which is usually in the month of october or november.
In 2025, everyone observing this festival will celebrate this day on the Ekadashi tithi which is the eleventh day of the lunar cycle of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. Celebrated around 4 days before Diwali and two days before Dhanteras, this day is very auspicious for the believers as it is believed to cleanse the body and the mind. In 2025, Rama Ekadashi will be observed on Friday, the 17th of October.
Importance and significance of Rama Ekadashi
Rama Ekadashi, the name itself clarifies that it is celebrated on Ekadashi, which means the eleventh day of the lunar cycle. Even though there are twenty-four Ekadashi celebrated in one calendar year (one Ekadashi every lunar cycle and two lunar cycles every month), the Rama Ekadashi is the most revered of all of them. Followers are of the opinion and of the belief that if anyone observes fast with the utmost faith and devotion all the negative karma will be eliminated and the road to Moksha or the ultimate liberation will open up.
The Hindu scriptures have described the multitude of Rama Ekadashi very beautifully and artistically. They tell us that this the magnificence of Rama Ekadashi was informed to Yudhisthir (eldest Pandav) by Lord Krishna. In the Brahma Vaivarta Purana., Lord Krishna has illustrated hoe if one keeps the fast on Rama Ekadashi, it will bear the same fruits as doing thousand good deeds and thousand acts of worship and yagnas.
The revered day of this Ekadashi has been named after Devi Rama, which is another Roop and name of Mata Lakshmi. Mata Lakshmi is the sacred companion of Lord Vishnu and both can be seen together in all portraits and idols. so, if one observes this day with utmost devotion both Mata Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu are pleased and bless their devotees anf followers with divinity, good health and great wealth.
Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha
Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha recites the saga of Raja Muchukunda (King Muchukunda). Raja Muchukunda was a very virtuous and dutiful king and took great care of his subjects. Lord Vishnu had specially blessed him. He had a very pretty and a very righteous daughter whose name was Chandrabhaga. She was married to Prince Shobhana.
The subjects in Raja Muchukunda’s kingdom were deep followers of Rama Ekadashi. All of them fasted with full faith and prayed to Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi. Though Prince Shobana had not been keeping well and had become frail, he still decided to follow his wife’s family ritual of fasting on this day.
His body could not bear the brunt of fasting, and he left for heavenly abode. Due to Shobhan’s good deed and sympathetic nature on rath, he was blesses with cosmic kingdom in heaven by the revered Lord Vishnu. Here on earth, Princess Chandrabhaga came to know about the blessing and boon which her husband had been blessed with and she too decided too observe the fast.
Lord Vishnu was pleased by her devotion too and he united her with her husband in the heavens. This narration teaches us how powerful and magnanimous devotion and faith in Rama Ekadashi if observed with full faith.
Puja Vidhi and customary rituals of Rama Ekadashi
The vrat or fast of Rama Ekadashi Vrat is not just a day of abstinence from food but also abstinence from negativity. On this day, one should try to remain calm, truthful, should not speak ill of others or even think bad about anybody.
Believers are advised to wake up before sunrise on the 17th of October, 2025, which is also known as Brahma Muhurta, take a bath and then take your sankalp which is a vow to perform the fast with full faith and discipline.
- Early Morning practices:
- After cleaning the place of worship or altar, place an idol or photo of Lord Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi.
- Light a ghee diya (earthern small lamp) and offer sweets and fruits to the deity.
- Vishnu Sahasranama, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya should be constantly chanted. Do read the Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
- Rituals of fasting or vrat:
- Either a Nirjala Vrat which is a fast without food and water can be observed or a fast just without grains and salt can be done. by eating fruits, juices and water
- Read Hindu scriptures especially the Vishnu Purana.
- Worship in the evening time:
- Tulsi leaves are considered especially auspicious and should be without fail offered to Mata Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.
- Do perform aarti.
- Break the fast the next day or Parana:
- Fast is concluded on the next morning, which is the Dwadashi Tithi, i.e. on the 18th of october, 2025.
- Offer food, clothes and prashad to brahmins and needy.
Shubh Muhurat
Brahma Muhurat: 04:43 AM to 05:33 AM
Pratah Sandhya: 05:08 AM to 06:23 AM
Abhijit Muhurat: 11:43 AM to 12:29 PM
Benefits of Observing Rama Ekadashi
Believers observe this Ekadashi to attain the path of Moksha and salvation in addition to spiritual peace and enlightenment.
- Past Karmas are eradicated by doing this vrat
- Focus on discipline and mental cleanse is motivated.
- Lord Vishnu and Mata Lakshmi bless the followers of this vrat with abundance of wealth, fortune and happiness.
- Couples should do this vrat together for peaceful and healthy relationships.
- Spiritual enlightenment and attaining mental peace is the ultimate objective.
- fasting and deity worship generate positivity and cleanses the body, mind and soul resulting in a pure existence.
How are Rama Ekadashi and Diwali connected
Rama Ekadashi is observed around four days before Diwali. Rama Ekadashi prepares one for Diwali by cleansing their body, mind and spirit. People become mentally ready for the five day Diwali celebration. Mata Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped on both Diwali and Rama Ekadashi.= and worshipping her will bring prosperity.
Diwali is the time of lights, glory and happiness and when one approaches it with open mind, clean thoughts and healthy mind, Diwali becomes even more radiant.
Conclusion
Rama Ekadashi should not be seen like one day of observance. It is a cosmic journey to the most auspicious destination of Moksha, the ultimate liberation and salvation.
This day teaches us self-discipline, devotion, faith, dedication, selflessness and virtue. This day of fasting cleanses your body and your mind.
So, tomorrow on the occasion of Rama Ekadashi purify your mind, pray to the Gods with a clean and open mind and soul and start a new and improved journey of life.