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Ekadashi vrat begins from Dashami sunset and ends on Dwadashi after parana (fast-breaking). Puja is ideally performed in the Brahma Muhurta or morning hours on Ekadashi tithi.
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On the evening of Dashami (the day before Ekadashi), eat a light sattvic dinner before sunset. Avoid heavy, tamasic food. Resolve mentally to observe the fast. Clean the puja area and arrange all samagri.
Wake before sunrise. Take a purifying bath, ideally with a few drops of Ganga water. Wear clean yellow or white clothes. Sit before the altar and take the formal sankalpa by holding water and akshat in the right palm, stating the tithi, purpose, and deity.
Perform the sixteen-step worship of Lord Vishnu: Avahana (invocation), Asana (seat), Padya (foot-wash), Arghya (water offering), Achamaniya (sipping water), Snana (bath with panchamrit and water), Vastra (yellow cloth), Yajnopavita (sacred thread), Gandha (sandalwood), Pushpa (flowers with Tulsi), Dhupa (incense), Dipa (ghee lamp), Naivedya (fruits only — no grains), Tambula (betel), Pradakshina (circumambulation), and Namaskara (prostration).
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Om, I bow to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna/Vishnu), the Supreme Being.
Offer special worship to the Tulsi plant, which is Vishnu's most beloved consort (Vrinda Devi). Water the Tulsi plant, apply kumkum and turmeric at its base, offer flowers, and light a diya near the Tulsi. Circumambulate the Tulsi plant three times.
Recite the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram (1000 names of Vishnu from the Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva). This is the most meritorious recitation for Ekadashi. If time does not permit, recite at least the Vishnu Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names).
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
śuklāmbaradharaṃ viṣṇuṃ śaśivarṇaṃ caturbhujam | prasannavadanaṃ dhyāyet sarvavighnopaśāntaye ||
I meditate upon Lord Vishnu, who wears white garments, who has the complexion of the moon, who has four arms, and whose face is serene — for the removal of all obstacles.
Sing devotional songs (bhajans) and kirtans in praise of Lord Vishnu, Krishna, or Rama. Popular choices include "Hare Krishna Maha Mantra", "Shri Ram Jai Ram", and "Achyutam Keshavam". This can be done individually or in a group.
Perform the evening aarti of Lord Vishnu with the ghee lamp and camphor. Sing "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" — the universal Vishnu aarti. Ring the bell and offer the flame to all family members.
Stay awake through the night (jagran) listening to Vishnu katha, singing bhajans, reading the Bhagavad Gita, or meditating. This is optional but greatly enhances the merit of the vrat. Even staying awake till midnight is meritorious.
On Dwadashi morning, perform morning ablutions and a brief Vishnu puja. Break the fast (parana) ONLY after sunrise and within the parana window (typically before 1/4th of the day has passed). Begin with Tulsi water, then fruits, then a light meal. Offering food to a Brahmin before eating yourself is highly meritorious.