Ekadashi Calendar 2025
Ekadashi Fasts in 2025 and Guidelines for Their Observance from the Prayas Meditation Centre
Ekadashi are special days on which spiritual practices become particularly effective, and fasting serves as a means of purifying the mind, body, and soul. Abstaining from food—especially grains and legumes—helps to channel energy toward self-improvement. Below you’ll find the 2025 Ekadashi fasting calendar, along with tips on how to begin and break the fast correctly.
January 2025
Putrada Ekadashi – the Day of Mercy Granting the Future
📅 January 10, 2025 (breaking fast January 11 from 7:50 to 10:40)
Putrada Ekadashi, which literally means “giver of offspring”, is a special day of blessings, spiritual care, and inner renewal. It occurs twice a year, and one of those falls in the bright half of the month of Pushkara (Pausha) – particularly revered as the day when Lord Vishnu fulfills wishes related to family, lineage, harmony, and well-being.
But its deeper meaning is far broader. “Putra” is not only children in the external world. It also refers to the fruits of our spiritual life: pure thoughts, kind actions, wise decisions, and the maturity of the soul. All that is born within us and through us – and shapes the future.
Putrada Ekadashi is a time to cleanse your heart of anxieties, free yourself from worries, and direct your intentions with a sincere desire to live mindfully, caring for yourself, your loved ones, and your descendants – physical or spiritual.
May Putrada Ekadashi be the day when our best “tomorrow” is born – in good thoughts, in noble decisions, in the love we send into this world.
Shattila Ekadashi – the Art of Giving and Cleansing the Heart
📅 January 25, 2025 (breaking fast January 26 from 7:40 to 10:40)
Shattila Ekadashi is a special day in the sacred calendar, falling in the dark half of the month of Magha, and its name is linked to “til” – sesame seeds. Scriptures say that on this day sesame symbolizes purification of the body, speech, mind – and most importantly, of intentions.
Legend has it that even someone who strictly keeps vows but shows no generosity or does not share with others cannot attain full blessing. Thus, Shattila Ekadashi reminds us: spirituality without the heart is incomplete.
It is a day to reassess attachments, release greed, fear, and accumulated grudges – and become lighter, purer. True blessing arrives when love and generosity flow from us freely like light.
Shattila Ekadashi teaches: to give is to multiply. When we give, not only our karma but our very soul is purified.
May our hearts become altars, and every act of kindness a sacrifice of Love.
February 2025
Bhaima Ekadashi – the Day of Light’s Victory Over the Darkness of Ignorance
📅 February 8, 2025 (breaking fast February 9 from 7:20 to 9:20)
Bhaima Ekadashi, also known as Jaya Ekadashi, occurs in the bright half of Magha and is considered one of the most powerful days for spiritual purification and inner elevation. On this day, even the heavens seem to bow down to hear sincere prayers, forgive past mistakes, and inspire the soul to the triumph of light.
The word “Jaya” means “victory” – not an external victory over others, but a profound inner victory over illusion, laziness, selfishness, and doubt. It is the day we can achieve one of our greatest triumphs – over ourselves.
Scriptures say that observing Bhaima Ekadashi can free even the heaviest karma and pave the way for spiritual progress. Fasting, prayer, and meditation on this day carry incredible cleansing power.
This Ekadashi tells us: “Lift up your mind. Awaken your soul. Fear not the darkness – you were born to shine.”
May this day be our inner New Year – the moment we say “yes” to light, purity, and the Divine presence in our lives. May our hearts be filled with the resolve to follow the path of love, wisdom, and devotion.
Vijaya Ekadashi – the Day of Quiet Victory and Divine Support
📅 February 24, 2025 (breaking fast February 25 from 6:50 to 8:50)
Vijaya Ekadashi is one of the most powerful and transformative days of the year. It falls in the dark half of Phalguna and carries the energy of victory, liberation from internal and external obstacles, karmic purification, and the blessing for both spiritual and material success.
The name itself, “Vijaya”, means “victory, success, triumph”. This is not merely a day of strength – it is a day of breaking free from what holds us back and a time to lay the foundation for victory in any endeavour – as long as it comes from the heart rather than the ego.
According to legend, Lord Rama himself observed Vijaya Ekadashi before setting sail to Lanka and, through that ascetic practice, achieved victory in the great battle. For this reason, this day is especially honoured by those on the threshold of important decisions, life trials, or spiritual vows.
Vijaya Ekadashi invites you to ask yourself: – Where in my life do I need an inner victory? – What is hindering my growth? – What am I ready to let go of to draw closer to Truth?
Fasting, meditation, generosity, and prayer on this day become your spiritual shield and sword. It is not a battle against the world – but a journey into yourself, where true strength is born.
March 2025
Amalaki Ekadashi – the Day of Purity, Blessings, and Union with Nature
📅 March 9, 2025 (breaking fast March 10 from 10:20 to 11:20)
Amalaki Ekadashi, which falls in the bright half of Phalguna, is a day suffused with a unique radiance of purity, gratitude, and deep connection to the power of nature. Its name derives from the amalaki (amla) tree – the sacred fruit symbolizing health, blessings, and spiritual clarity.
On this day, Nature itself becomes a temple, and the tree a living manifestation of the Divine. Scriptures teach that the energy of Lord Vishnu resides in the amalaki, and venerating the tree on this Ekadashi is equivalent to worshipping the Lord Himself.
Amalaki Ekadashi is a celebration of both inner and outer purity. It calls us to release what we have accumulated – in body, in mind, in relationships – and invite freshness, light, and simplicity into our lives.
Amalaki Ekadashi reminds us: “You are part of the Great Whole. Purity within begets blessings without. By honouring nature, you honour Life itself.”
May your heart be as translucent as the morning light. May your thoughts be as light as a breeze through leaves. May your body be filled with vitality, and your soul with the silence in which the Divine speaks.
Papamochani Ekadashi – the Day of Liberation from the Bonds of the Past
📅 March 25, 2025 (breaking fast March 26 from 5:50 to 9:50)
Papamochani Ekadashi, observed in the dark half of Chaitra, is a remarkable day of mercy intended for liberation from all sins, mistakes, and illusions that keep the soul from light. The name “Papamochani” literally means “that which frees from sin” – and therein lies its deepest blessing.
This is not a day of judgment – it is a day of forgiveness and inner renewal. It is like a gentle rain after a long drought, washing the dust from the heart and restoring the soul’s natural radiance.
Scriptures say that even the heaviest karmic knots can be untied by sincere fasting, meditation, prayer, and repentance on this day. It is a chance to pause, breathe more deeply, and say:
“I no longer wish to be a prisoner of the past. I release.
I am purified.
I return to myself – pure, true, divine.”
Papamochani Ekadashi teaches that each of us is worthy of liberation. Worthy of a new chapter. Worthy of light.
May the heart be cleansed of pain, the mind of regret, and the path of obstacles. May this day become the turning point and the beginning of a new, luminous life.
We are not sin. We are the light that simply forgot how to shine. And today is the day to remember.
April 2025
Kamada Ekadashi – the Day of Fulfilling the Soul’s True Desires
📅 April 8, 2025 (breaking fast April 9 from 06:20 to 10:40)
Kamada Ekadashi is the first Ekadashi of the year, falling in the bright half of the month of Chaitra. Its name means “fulfiller of desires” (“kama” – desire, “da” – giver). But it is not a day to indulge the whims of the mind – it is a day when the heart is granted the chance to touch its deepest aspirations, the soul’s true thirst: to draw nearer to the Divine.
Legend says that even the heaviest sins and tangled karma can be purified by observing Kamada Ekadashi. And even if desires are material – Kamada cleanses them, transforms them, and guides the soul to where genuine joy awaits.
This day seems to call out: “Cleanse your heart, and I will fill it with light. Speak to Me of all your pain, and I will give you peace. Release illusion, and I will reveal the Truth to you.”
Varuthini Ekadashi – the Day of Divine Protection and Inner Victory
📅 April 24, 2025 (breaking fast April 25 from 05:40 to 09:10)
Varuthini Ekadashi is a special day shining with the light of guardianship, blessings, and liberation. The word “varuthini” literally means “that which grants protection, armor”. This Ekadashi, falling in the dark half of Vaishakha, carries the power to shield, purify, and lead the soul away from fear toward freedom, from doubt toward clarity, and from pain toward peace.
By observing Varuthini Ekadashi with faith and purity, one receives not only spiritual cleansing but also the blessing of protection against negative influences, inner conflicts, and destructive habits.
Fasting on this day is not deprivation but a generous offering that opens the gates of mercy. Prayer becomes an anchor, meditation a shining sword, and the intention to live mindfully becomes the soul’s armor.
Varuthini Ekadashi reminds us: you are not alone. You are protected. Your soul rests beneath the Divine’s shelter. What is required is faith, purity, and a step toward the light.
May 2025
Mohini Ekadashi – the Day When Illusion Loses Its Power
📅 May 8, 2025 (breaking fast May 9 from 05:20 to 10:20)
Mohini Ekadashi, falling in the bright half of Vaishakha, is the day when the Divine itself takes the form of beauty to save the world. In the guise of Mohini – the enchanting, radiant form of Lord Vishnu – Divine energy conquers the forces of evil, distracting demons from the nectar of immortality and granting it to those who can receive it with a pure heart.
It symbolizes the great truth: true beauty leads to liberation, not attachment. Mohini Ekadashi invites us to look within and see where we remain under the sway of illusion – fears, ambitions, outward glamour – and gently, with love, let it go.
Fasting, prayer, and meditation on this day hold a special power to cleanse the mind and heart. For it is the mind, clouded by maya, that stands as the greatest barrier to peace. Mohini Ekadashi helps restore our inner clarity.
Apara Ekadashi – the Path of Purification and Unseen Support
📅 May 23, 2025 (breaking fast May 24 from 05:15 to 10:10)
Apara Ekadashi is considered one of the most potent days of the year. Its name literally means “boundless” – and such is its blessing for those who fast with a pure heart. This is a day when purification extends beyond the body to karma, consciousness, even the subtlest traces of past mistakes.
Apara Ekadashi is not merely abstaining from food but renouncing anything that dims the soul’s light. It offers the chance to become “apara” – boundless in inner purification, boundless in gratitude, boundless in Love.
Apara Ekadashi bestows not only liberation but spiritual strength – the ability to move forward, to forgive, to release, to transform.
June 2025
Nirjala Ekadashi – the Waterless Fast Filling the Soul with Light
📅 June 7, 2025 (breaking fast June 8 from 08:55 to 10:10)
Nirjala Ekadashi is one of the mightiest and most transformative days in the Vedic tradition. The name says it all: “nir” – without, “jala” – water, and “Ekadashi” – the eleventh day after the new moon or full moon. This is a complete fast – abstaining not only from food but also from water.
On this day, the practitioner enters a state of profound purification. The body grows still. The mind slows. The soul emerges to the forefront. It is a time to voluntarily give up the external so we can hear the internal. To drown in the Silence where God dwells.
It is believed that one who observes Nirjala Ekadashi receives the merit of all 24 Ekadashis of the year at once. It is a gifted opportunity for those unable to fast regularly – to pass through the fire of purification and emerge renewed.
This is not merely an abstinence from food – it is an act of trust. A step from the head into the heart. From comfort into the depths. A call of the Soul.
Yogini Ekadashi – the Day When the Soul Is Cleansed by Light
📅 June 22, 2025 (breaking fast June 23 from 05:10 to 10:20)
Yogini Ekadashi – one of the most significant days for inner purification and spiritual awakening. It falls on the eleventh lunar day of the waning phase of Ashadha (June–July in the Gregorian calendar). These are the gates of mercy, opened to those ready to look within and shed the burdens of the past.
The essence of this day is liberation and healing.
According to the scriptures, observing Yogini Ekadashi purifies not only body and mind but also karmic debts. It is the day to release deeply rooted patterns, sins, pain, and attachments. Its power can free one even from the heaviest consequences of past actions.
Yogini Ekadashi is a spiritual spring. A day when the soul shakes off the dust of time and remembers its true self. It offers a chance not just to fast – but to be reborn.
May this day mark the beginning of a new, pure chapter.
July 2025
Harishayani Ekadashi – the Beginning of the Divine Sleep and a Grand Time for Spiritual Practice
📅 July 6, 2025 (breaking fast July 7 from 04:50 to 10:20)
The Sanskrit word "Hari" is one of Vishnu’s names, and "shayani" means "sleeping". On this day, Vishnu departs the manifest world and enters deep yogic dhyana (meditation) in the Cosmic Ocean (Kshirasagara), resting on the serpent Ananta.
The spiritual significance of this day:
– Ceasing the external. All that is tied to hustle and attachment falls silent. Energy turns inward.
– Beginning of Chaturmasya. Four months of intensified spiritual growth – a time of vows, tapas, inner discipline, and service.
– Gates of transformation. If you seek change in your life, this period especially supports purification, abandonment of harmful habits, and renewal of intention.
Harishayani Ekadashi is an invitation. An invitation to turn attention from the outside inward. This is more than a fast – it is the moment when even the Gods withdraw into silence to hear the Truth.
Kamika Ekadashi – the Day When Desires Are Purified by Love
📅 July 21, 2025 (breaking fast July 22 from 05:10 to 10:20)
Kamika Ekadashi – the sacred eleventh lunar day of the dark half of Shravana (July–August). The word "kamika" derives from "kama" – desire, longing, intention. It is the Ekadashi of purifying desires, turning passion into devotion and restlessness into deep inner peace.
It is a time when the Soul calls us back to the Source. The world offers desires – to be, to possess, to achieve. But Kamika Ekadashi reminds us: the greatest desire is to return to the Self, to the Divine, to Truth.
Wisdom of the day:
Even if you perform hundreds of rituals, if your heart is not cleansed – you have not truly advanced.
But if you whisper God’s Name in love, you are already in His embrace.
Kamika Ekadashi is the chance to remember what matters most.
Pause. Look within. Melt all desires into one – to be a pure vessel for Divine Light.
August 2025
Pavitropana Ekadashi – the Day of Soul and Heart Purification
📅 August 5, 2025 (breaking fast August 6 from 05:30 to 10:30)
On the sacred day of Pavitropana Ekadashi, which falls in the month of Shravana, the world seems to stop still in order to hear the silence of a heart filled with devotion.
Pavitropana Ekadashi is not merely a fast and abstinence. It is the day when one is reminded of their true nature – that they are a soul, a spark of Divine consciousness. It is the opportunity to be freed from the burden of past deeds, to purify mind and body through tapasya, and to realign with the wave of love, mercy, and devotion.
May this Ekadashi grant us inner silence in which truth is born. May each of our days be filled with mindfulness, just as today is filled with light, gratitude, and service.
Bathing, fasting, meditation, and an open, simple heart – these are the offerings we bring on this day. And may they become the bridge to the Divine.
Annada Ekadashi – the Giver of Nourishment to Heart and Soul
📅 August 19, 2025 (breaking fast August 20 from 05:50 to 10:40)
Annada Ekadashi is the day when Nature herself teaches us a profound truth: the true gift is not only daily bread, but spiritual nourishment as well. The name “Annada” means “she who gives food.” Yet this food is not only for the body, but also for the mind, heart, and spirit.
On this blessed day in the bright half of the month of Bhadra, we remember: whoever fasts, prays, and serves with purity and devotion bestows blessings not only upon themselves, but also upon ancestors, loved ones, and the entire world.
This is the time to free ourselves from excess, to release the heart from greed and doubt, and to fill it with compassion, generosity, and kindness. Share food with those in need, words with those who suffer, light with those in darkness. For true alms is the gift of love.
May every thought on Annada Ekadashi become a prayer, every breath an act of gratitude, every deed a step toward the light. And may the soul taste the nectar of Divine presence, finding its true fulfillment.
September 2025
Parshva Ekadashi – the Time of a Great Inner Turning
📅 September 3, 2025 (breaking fast September 4 from 07:50 to 10:40)
Parshva Ekadashi is not merely a day of fasting. It is a moment of sacred transition. On this day, Lord Vishnu turns to the other side in his Yoga-nidra, and with his movement the flow of cosmic energy shifts. This turning happens within us as well, if we are ready to embrace it.
Also known as Vamana or Padma Ekadashi, Parshva Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmasya – a special four-month period of spiritual practice, focus, and inner purification. During this time, the very space supports our sadhana. It is as if the Divine says: “Now I am especially close. Awaken. Turn within.”
It is an opportunity to take a step toward inner awakening, to consciously turn from the outer to the eternal.
May this Divine Turning resonate in our hearts as a new beginning, deep peace, and faith that we are moving in the right direction – toward the Light, toward Truth, toward our true Self.
Indira Ekadashi – the Day When the Light of Love Reaches Ancestors
📅 September 17, 2025 (breaking fast September 18 from 06:40 to 10:40)
Indira Ekadashi is not just a day of fasting and purification. It is a day of deep connection – with our roots, with our ancestors who once walked this path before us. On this special day in the dark half of Ashvina, the heavenly gates open, and our prayers become a bridge between worlds.
Scriptures teach that one who observes Indira Ekadashi with a pure heart not only liberates themselves from karmic bonds but also brings light and peace to the souls of ancestors. It is a day of gratitude, forgiveness, and spiritual duty. It reminds us that our lives continue the love, efforts, and sacrifices of those who came before.
Indira Ekadashi teaches: spiritual practice is not only a path upward, but also a journey back to our origins, with gratitude and reverence.
May this day bring light to our lineage. May blessings flow through generations, cleansing the past and sanctifying the future.
October 2025
Pashankusha Ekadashi – the Day When Mercy Is Stronger Than Karma
📅 October 3, 2025 (breaking fast October 4 from 07:00 to 10:50)
Pashankusha Ekadashi, falling in the bright half of Ashvina, is the day when the Universe itself calls the soul to freedom. The name “Pashankusha” is symbolic: “pasha” are the bonds, and “ankusha” is the goad used to direct an elephant. On this day, Lord Vishnu – the Lord of our destiny – is ready to break the chains of illusion, ignorance, and karma when we turn to Him with a sincere heart.
This Ekadashi carries immense power for purification and liberation. Scriptures say that even one who observes Pashankusha Ekadashi faithfully once will receive a blessing capable of destroying thousands of sins accumulated over many lives. It brings freedom not only to oneself but also blessings to one’s ancestors, family, and the world.
On this day, it is especially important to immerse oneself in meditation, good deeds, and the inner resolve to live consciously. Fasting becomes not deprivation but an act of love – a sacrifice through which the soul declares: “I choose the Light.”
Pashankusha Ekadashi is an invitation to remember that you are not your body, not your mind, not your story. You are a spark of the Eternal, capable of breaking any prison when you walk with faith.
May this day bring strength for an inner turning, light to consciousness, and mercy to every heart.
Rama Ekadashi – the Day of Pure Devotion and Strength of Spirit
📅 October 17, 2025 (breaking fast October 18 from 07:30 to 09:40)
Rama Ekadashi, falling in the dark half of Kartika, is a special time when the heart is called to deep silence, sincerity, and devotion. This day is named in honor of Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of purity, grace, and abundance. It serves as an invitation to release the weight of the past and all that no longer serves the light within us.
Scriptures say that Rama Ekadashi can burn away mountains of sins and purify the karma of many lives. But most importantly, it awakens in the soul the thirst for Truth. Fasting on this day is more than abstaining from food; it is a call to inner rebirth, true discipline, and union with the Divine.
Legend tells that even King Muchukunda, famed for his great deeds, attained ultimate liberation through this Ekadashi. His story reminds us: neither strength nor fame equals what comes from sincere service and faith.
May your heart become a temple on Rama Ekadashi. May deep humility give birth to the strength to walk the path of light, love, and inner freedom.
November 2025
Uttana Ekadashi – the Awakening of the Divine Within
📅 November 2, 2025 (breaking fast November 3 from 06:50 to 10:00)
Uttana Ekadashi, also known as Prabodhini or Devuthani Ekadashi, is the day when Lord Vishnu awakens from His mystical sleep in the cosmic ocean. This is not just a date on the calendar – it is a cosmic dawn. Nature itself holds its breath, as if awaiting the great Awakening.
From this moment, a new spiritual cycle begins. Chaturmasya – a time of introspection and purification – ends, and a period of light, joy, and active spiritual growth commences. This is the day when the Divine opens His eyes and smiles within the heart of every sincere seeker.
On this day, it is especially vital to awaken not only physically but internally. Release the old. Step out of the slumber of illusion. Clear the mind. Renew intentions. Even the smallest prayer spoken with a pure heart becomes a bridge to infinite mercy.
Scriptures say that one who observes Uttana Ekadashi with faith receives blessings for life, purification for ancestors, and spiritual realization in future embodiments.
“Uttana” means “rising,” “upliftment.” It is our inner upliftment – from darkness to light, from chaos to awareness, from sleep to Life.
May everything best within you awaken this day. May your heart bloom like a lotus toward the Divine sun. And may your life fill with meaning, clarity, and blessing.
Utpanna Ekadashi – the Birth of Light in the Heart
📅 November 16, 2025 (breaking fast November 17 from 07:20 to 10:10)
Utpanna Ekadashi is a new beginning. It is the day when, in the great battle between light and darkness, the very power of Ekadashi – the Goddess representing purity, abstinence, liberation, and spiritual resolve – was born. This special day in the dark half of Margashirsha signals the universe’s call: “You are capable of more. Awaken. Begin anew.”
As the first Ekadashi after Uttana, it marks the start of a new spiritual cycle, a fresh turn of self-discovery. “Utpanna” means “born,” and on this day was born the energy that can free souls from karmic knots, break attachments, and point the way to the Light.
Fasting on Utpanna Ekadashi purifies not only body and mind but also the karma of many lives. It is the day when the Divine seems to stretch out a hand and say: “Let go of all that is extra. I am here. Start from a clean slate. I will lead you.”
This is a day of courage – for on this path one must not only renounce the outer but look deeply within. To meet the self. And choose not fear but faith. Not habit but freedom. Not oblivion but light.
December 2025
Mokshada Ekadashi – the Day Granting Liberation
📅 December 1, 2025 (breaking fast December 2 from 07:40 to 10:20)
Mokshada Ekadashi is not just a sacred day. It is a gateway to eternity. It is the moment when the Universe itself seems to stand still in silence to hear the call of our soul. The name “Mokshada” means “bestower of moksha” – the supreme liberation from the cycle of birth and death, from suffering, from the bonds of ignorance.
This Ekadashi falls in the bright half of the month of Margashirsha – at the same time the world received the Bhagavad Gita, the greatest Scripture, the voice of God spoken to humanity. On this day, the very energy of the Gita pervades the space, inspiring us to rise above fear, doubt, and illusion, to become our true selves – souls filled with light.
Fasting, meditation, and the reading of sacred texts on Mokshada Ekadashi hold tremendous power. This day seems to say: “Pause. Remember who you are. Understand why you are here. And release all that no longer serves your growth.”
It is a time of deep inner work when every effort to cleanse the mind and heart is supported by the Heavens. It is an opportunity not just to walk the path – but to soar.
Mokshada Ekadashi is an invitation to awaken, to release all that is transient, and to aspire toward the eternal.
May our soul touch the eternal truth on this day. May anxieties dissipate like darkness before the dawn. May the light of knowledge, mercy, and love illuminate our path.
Sapphala Ekadashi – the Day When All Becomes Meaningful
📅 December 15, 2025 (breaking fast December 16 from 07:50 to 10:30)
Sapphala Ekadashi is the day when the seeds of our efforts bear fruit. Its name translates as “bringing success”, “giving result”. It falls in the dark half of the month of Pausha, carrying a special energy of completion, accomplishment, and spiritual maturity.
This is not simply a day of fasting – it is a day of deep gratitude. A day when we realize: every step we take, every sincere effort is not lost – it grows in unseen realms and one day blossoms into the flower of blessing.
Sacred texts state that Sapphala Ekadashi has the power to break negative tendencies, purify consciousness, grant mental clarity, and guide one toward authentic success – inner awakening.
Sapphala Ekadashi reminds us: true fortune is not luck, but a wholehearted purpose. Not in possessions, but in the awakened soul.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi – the Day When the Gates of Eternity Open
📅 December 30, 2025 (breaking fast December 31 from 07:00 to 10:40)
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is not merely a date on the calendar. It is the gateway to Vaikuntha, to the transcendent realm where eternal peace, light, and love reign. It is the day when the Universe opens the gates of its abode, inviting every grateful heart, filled with sincerity and devotion, to enter and merge in bliss.
This Ekadashi is regarded as the most powerful of all. Fasting, chanting mantras, prayers, and meditation performed on this day are equivalent to thousands of years of spiritual practice. The soul receives special grace, is purified of deep-rooted karma, and draws closer to its highest purpose – liberation, union with the Source.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi whispers to the soul:
“You were not created for fear. Not for suffering.
You are eternal. You are pure. The gates are open.
Enter. Return Home.”
May our hearts open to the Infinite Light on this day.
May all anxieties dissolve into peace, and may each meditation become a step toward eternity.
We do not merely go to God – He comes to us. And today is a special day of meeting.
Guidelines for Observing Ekadashi Fasts in 2025
Preparing for the Fast (24 hours before dawn)
✅ Limit heavy foods – meat, fish, eggs, and the “fiery four”: onion, garlic, chilli and mushrooms. They overstimulate digestion and nerves, making fasting harder.
✅ Shift to a sattvic menu: water-based porridges, stewed vegetables, warm milk with turmeric. This slows metabolism gently and eases the transition.
✅ Finish dinner by 18:00–19:00 so food digests before sleep and the body feels light at dawn.
✅ Take a warm bath with sea salt or a contrast shower to release fatigue and calm the nervous system.
✅ Prepare your space: candle or oil lamp, yoga mat, small meditation rug, bottle of clean water. Morning discipline begins with evening organisation.
Morning of the Fast: Beginning the Practice
✅ Rise before sunrise; after a quick wash drink a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon juice to start gentle detox.
✅ Do 10–15 minutes of pranayama or slow Surya Namaskar to harmonise breath and feel, “I control the process, hunger doesn’t control me.”
✅ State your personal intention aloud or in writing – clarity, health, emotional transformation. A conscious goal strengthens discipline.
Dietary Restrictions during the Day
✅ Classical fast – no grains, legumes, alcohol or tobacco. Strict version also excludes oils and spices.
✅ Light version allows:
– fresh or baked fruit and vegetables;
– fermented dairy (home-made yogurt, ryazhenka, cottage cheese) if not on a strict fast;
– nuts, coconut flakes, honey, dates in small amounts for steady energy.
✅ Sip clean water through the day. Warm ginger or fennel infusions ease bloating and nausea.
✅ Avoid coffee and strong black tea: stimulants raise acidity and irritability. Green tea or matcha in moderation is a fair compromise.
Spiritual Practice and Meditation
✅ Plan three “anchors of silence”:
– morning meditation (15–20 min);
– midday reading of a sacred text (Bhagavad-gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam, Psalms – 10–15 min);
– evening journalling.
✅ When hunger or irritation strikes, take five deep ujjayi breaths or walk outside; movement releases excess tension.
✅ Protect your information space: turn off news, limit social media. A body fast loses meaning if the mind is overfed with content.
✅ Let go of conflict: a word spoken in anger pollutes the inner space you are purifying.
Properly Breaking the Fast (next dawn)
✅ Restart digestion with warm water plus a pinch of salt, or fresh coconut water to restore electrolytes.
✅ After 20–30 minutes eat a ripe banana, baked apple or a few dates, chewing well. After a dry fast, begin with water.
✅ A light porridge (buckwheat or basmati rice) cooked in water with a spoon of ghee is a gentle bridge back to normal meals.
✅ Avoid fried foods, caffeine and legumes at first; give enzymes time to awaken. Most people resume a regular diet 4–6 hours after the first meal.
✅ Reflect: note what was hardest and what inspired you most. This turns a one-day test into a roadmap for future Ekadashis.