Apara Ekadashi, also known as Achala Ekadashi, is observed as a fasting day by the Hindus on the Ekadashi Tithi (11th day) Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It corresponds to May or June according to the Gregorian calendar.
It is believed that Apara Ekadashi Vrat brings divine and auspicious results for the devotee and washes away all the sins committed by that person.
This post shares with you Apara Ekadashi Vrat Katha and Date.
Similar to all other Ekadashi Vrats, Apara Ekadashi is also dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu.
The word “Apara” means limitless, so this Ekadashi Vrat brings unlimited benefits to its observer. Therefore, it is said that whosoever observes the Achala Ekadashi Vrat is blessed with unlimited wealth.
It is also believed that all the wrong deeds committed by a person vanish away if they observe a strict fast on Apara Ekadashi Day. So, Apara Ekadashi Vrat has tremendous power and can remove all the negative energy from a devotee’s life.
Achala Ekadashi is observed with full devotion in varied regions all across the country.
For example, in Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir, Apara Ekadashi is celebrated as “Bhadrakali Ekadashi,” wherein Goddess Bhadra Kali is worshipped with full devotion.
In the state of Odisha, it is celebrated as “Jalakrida Ekadashi” in honor of Lord Jagannath.
Table of Contents
Importance of Apara Ekadashi
Lord Krishna first demystified the importance of Apara Ekadashi to Yudhishtira in the Mahabharata Era.
Lord Krishna stated that any person who keeps this Ekadashi Vrat would be well renowned due to their meritorious deeds. Thus, according to Lord Krishna, Apara Ekadashi Vrat is so powerful that anybody who keeps this fast will be blessed with immense popularity, wealth, and prosperity.
Achala Ekadashi Vrat benefits persons who suffer from guilt due to their sins. Whosoever keeps Apara Ekadashi fast with devotion is pardoned for his sins and can even attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of life and death). Moreover, Ekadashi Vrat makes a person prosperous.
The Hindu scriptures and Puranas say that the Ekadashi Vrat offers the same types of benefits as you get by taking a bath in the Holy Ganges during the auspicious month of Kartik. Therefore, its importance is equivalent to donating cows or performing sacred Yagna.
So, Ekadashi Vrat is that ray of light that can remove the darkness of one’s sins. That’s the greatness of observing Apara Ekadashi Vrat. Anybody who keeps the Apara Ekadashi Vrat with full faith and devotion gets blessed with an enormous fortune from Lord Vishnu.
Benefits of observing Achala Ekadashi Vrat
- Observing the Apara Ekadashi Vrat will make you a rich and prosperous person.
- The Ekadashi Vrat helps you to get rid of all your sins. You can free yourself from the guilt of your committed sins.
- You can attain moksha (liberation) by maintaining a strict fast.
- The Achala Ekadashi Vrat will bring you admiration, recognition, and fame.
- Apara Ekadashi Vrat helps you to attain courage, strength, and confidence
Apara Ekadashi Vrat Katha
The Apara Ekadashi Vrat Katha is as follows:
The Pandava prince Yudhishtira inquired about the Achala Ekadashi Vrat Katha from Lord Krishna himself. Lord Krishna told Yudhishtira that all those who keep the Apara Ekadashi Vrat are blessed with immense (“Apara”) wealth. Therefore, they have become very famous around the world.
On this day, Lord Trivikrama is worshipped.
This Ekadashi Vrat is so powerful that a person who keeps this fast gets rid of all types of sins. They don’t have to face the tortures of hell. Moreover, those who keep this Ekadashi Vrat and worship Lord Vishnu reside in the Vaikunta (Vishnu) Loka.
Lord Krishna elaborated on this Ekadashi Vrat Katha to Yudhishtira. He said that a powerful and religious King who lived in ancient times named Maheedhvaj. His brother Vrajdhwaj was ruthless and jealous of his elder brother Maheedhvaj.
It so happened that Vrajdhwaj killed his elder brother and kept his body under a Peepal tree. Maheedhvaj became a ghost and started living on that Peepal tree.
One day, Sage Dhaumya happened to pass by that Peepal Tree. He saw the ghost of Maheedhvaj and used his Siddhis (yogic powers) to learn about his past. The sage imparted “Parloka” Vidya teachings to the ghost of Maheedhvaj. Sage Dhaumya went on to keep the Achala Ekadashi fast to help Maheedhvaj get rid of Preta-Voni (ghost).
Now, due to the effect of this Ekadashi Fast, Maheedhvaj got rid of his Preta Voni. He thanked Sage Dhaumya and went to Pushpaka Vimana’s heavens, assuming a “Divya” (divine) form.
Lord Krishna told Yudhisthira that he had narrated this Ekadashi Katha for the well-being of people. Therefore, all those who read or listen to this Katha will become free of all their sins.
Achala Ekadashi Vrat Rules & Rituals
- You should not entertain negative thoughts in your mind. You should attract only positive thoughts about goodness and purity.
- One should control one’s love for food
- Make a point to sleep on the floor at night
- Do not misbehave with others
- You should not lie
- You should be faithful to your spouse
- Keep the fast with complete devotion
- You should wake up before sunrise on the auspicious day of the fast
- Keep a strict fast without eating or drinking anything
- Offer Tulsi leaves, flowers, and incense sticks to the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu
- You should light an oil lamp before the idol of Lord Vishnu
- You should prepare Prasad (for example, kheer)
- Offer the Prasad to Lord Vishnu
- You need to recite Achala Ekadashi Vrat Katha
- You should recite “Vishnu Sahasranama.”
- Sing bhajans and Kirtans in praise of Lord Vishnu
- Distribute the Prasad to your family members
Apara Ekadashi Date 2025
Apara Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on 23rd May 2025, Friday.
Parana Time: 05:26 AM to 08:11 AM (24th May)
Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 01:12 AM on 23rd May 2025
Ekadashi Tithi Ends at 10:29 PM on 23rd May 2025
Note: “Parana” is the breaking of the fast. Ekadashi Parana is observed on the next day of Ekadashi fast after sunrise within Dwadashi Tithi.
However, Parana is not done during “Hari Vasara,” which is the first one-fourth duration of Dwadashi. The preferable time for breaking the fast is “Pratahkal.”
We at HindUtsav wish you a very happy Apara Ekadashi.
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