Vijaya Ekadashi 2025: Significance and Festive Rituals!

As per astrology and Hindu mythology, the lunar cycle has a significant spiritual and emotional role which is higher on a few auspicious days like Ekadashi. Ekadashi is the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of the waxing moon) and Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of the waning moon) marked in the Hindu Lunar Calendar. There are 24 Ekadashis in a year except the leap year which has 26 Ekadashis and each Ekadashi has its importance. Devotees worship lord Vishnu and his incarnation Lord Krishna by observing a fast and following certain rituals dedicated to the day. Here, we will be discussing Vijaya Ekadashi 2025, its timing, significance, story and rituals you can follow on the day. Also, don’t skip to check Treebo Club for an affordable and comfortable stay while visiting pilgrimage sites on the occasion.

Vijaya Ekadashi or Phalguna-Krishna Ekadashi is observed on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha of the Phalguna month which falls between February and March. The devotees who wish to seek victory, overcome obstacles, attain success and spiritual cleansing observe fast and follow specific rituals to worship the Lord Vishnu.

Date and Timing of Vijaya Ekadashi 2025

Vijaya Ekadashi 2025 is being observed on Monday, 24th February 2025. The Ekadashi tithi begins at 01:55 PM on 23rd February 2025 and lasts till 01:44 PM on 24th February 2025. The Prana time (time to break the fast) is 06:50 AM to 09:08 AM on 25th February. On the same day, Dwadashi will end at 12:47 PM.

Significance of Vijaya Ekadashi

The term Vijaya in Vijaya Ekadashi means victory or to win and observing a complete fast on the day helps the devotees seek victory and success not only in this lifetime but in the following as well. Celebrating the occasion is also significant in removing all the misgivings, misdeeds and sins, attaining clarity of thought, nullifying the guilt and increasing the spiritual, emotional and intellectual strengths. A sincere observance of the day can help you attain good health, spirituality, peace of mind and fulfilment of your desires.

Observing fast, following specified rituals, or even just listening or reading stories related to Ekadashi is enough to get the benefits equivalent to performing a Horse sacrifice or Ashwamedh Yagya (a sacrifice ritual performed by ancient kings to seek victory and glory for their kingdom).

Vijaya Ekadashi Story

The Vijaya Ekadashi story is narrated by Lord Sri Krishna to Yudhishthira as mentioned in the ancient Hindu text Skanda Purana. According to Hindu mythology, Pandavas sought the help of Lord Krishna in their quest for relief during a severe drought. Lord Krishna revealed the significance of observing the day to overcome obstacles and achieve victories over any adversity.

Lord Krishna narrates the incident from the epic Ramayana:

During the fourteen-year exile of Lord Ram (Lord Vishnu’s incarnation) along with his wife, Mata Sita and brother Laxman, Ravana abducted Mata Sita. In this helpless situation, Lord Ram sought help and met the king of monkeys, Sugriva who lent his army of monkeys to search for Mata Sita. When Lord Ram, Laxman and the army of monkeys reached the shores of Lanka (the kingdom of Ravana), they realised that it was difficult to cross the ocean which was too deep and dangerous with inhabiting crocodiles. Laxman suggested visiting the great sage Bakadalbhya whose ashram was near the island. When they went to his ashram, sage Bakadalbhya understood that Lord Ram was none other than Lord Vishnu. After listening to Lord Ram’s situation, the sage told him about the significance of observing the auspicious Vijaya Ekadashi which will ensure the success of crossing the ocean and victory over Ravana. He further specified the rituals to be followed on the day. Lord Ram followed the instructions, this helped him not only cross the ocean but also defeat the powerful Ravana and bring back Sita Mata. 

Rituals to be Followed on Vijaya Ekadashi

According to the Hindu mythological legends, there are specified rituals to be followed on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Ekadashi which are as follows:

• Take a gold, silver, copper or clay pot, fill it with water and decorate it with mango leaves, a day before Ekadashi i.e., Dashami. Cover the pot and place it on a mound of seven grains including wheat, rice, barley, corn, kukani, chickpeas and peas at an altar or a place or a sacred place of worship.
• Decorate the pot with garlands and sandalwood paste and place a coconut, pomegranate and barley on the top of its lid.
• Worship the pot by offering flowers, a diya, sandalwood paste and Naivedyam.
• Place a Golden idol of Lord Vishnu on the top of the lid.
• Stay awake at night near the pot.
• At the dawn of Vijaya Ekadashi, take a bath and replace the flower garland with a new one and apply the sandalwood paste again.
• Follow the worshipping rituals from the previous day and observe the pot at night.
• On the next day (Dwadashi), take the pot to the riverbank or a pond and worship it and offer it to a Brahmin.
• Chant and sing songs in the praise of the lord while following the rituals with utmost devotion.
• Visit the famous temples in India dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. If you are visiting Vrindavan this Vijya Ekadashi, then you can book your stay at hotels near ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan for easy accessibity to the temples.

Rules for Keeping a Fast on Vijaya Ekadashi

According to Hindu mythology, observing a fast and following the rituals strictly on Vijaya Ekadashi is important to get the benefits of the auspicious occasion.

So, here are the rules you need to follow while observing a fast on the day:

• Take a bath early in the morning.
• Refrain from eating beans, grains, onion, garlic, eggs, meat and fish.
• Killing animals is prohibited on the day.
• Sleeping during the day on Ekadashi and Dwadashi is prohibited.
• Do not interact with any cheats, frauds or people involved in any bad activity. In case of any such encounter, scriptures suggest purifying oneself by standing under the sun and looking directly at it.
• Sexual abstinence is suggested on Ekadashi and Dwadashi.
• On Dwadashi, have only one meal, avoid taking honey and urad dal (black lentil) and do not massage your body with oil. Opt for a sattvic diet to break your fast and in case you are using salt only prefer sendha namak (rock salt).
• Avoid eating at another person’s house on Dwadashi.
• In case you are not able to break the fast on the next day, then you can have water to signify the completion of the fast and can have food later basis your convenience.

Thus, to help you seek victory and success, get rid of past sins and open doors for good health and prosperity you can celebrate the auspicious day by observing a fast and following the rituals or simply listening to the story of Vijaya Ekadashi for similar benefits. Also if you wish to witness the celebrations on this auspicious day you can visit Jagannath Temple in Puri or ISKCON Vrindavan, you can book your stay online from hotels in Vrindavan from Treebo Club’s website or app. So, plan your celebrations accordingly and worship Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings.