Ekadashi Vrat Pooja
Fasting and worship of Lord Vishnu on the sacred eleventh day
Materials Required
- Idol or Picture of Lord Vishnu
- Tulsi Leaves (Holy Basil)
- Yellow Flowers & Fruits
- Panchamrit (Milk, Curd, Ghee, Honey, Sugar)
- Incense Sticks & Ghee Lamp
- Sandalwood Paste (Chandan)
- Gangajal or Clean Water
- Yellow Cloth for Altar
- Vishnu Sahasranama Book
Step-by-Step Procedure
Sankalpa (Vow)
Take a vow early in the morning to observe the fast with purity and devotion. Avoid grains and beans.
Altar Preparation
Clean the altar, spread a yellow cloth, and place the idol of Lord Vishnu. Light the lamp and incense.
Abhishekam & Decoration
Bathe the idol with Panchamrit and water. Apply sandalwood paste and offer yellow flowers and Tulsi leaves.
Offerings (Naivedyam)
Offer fruits, sweets, and water. Tulsi is the most beloved offering to Lord Vishnu.
Prayers & Chanting
Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". Read the Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
Aarti
Perform the Vishnu Aarti. Stay awake at night (Jagran) singing bhajans if possible.
Vishnu Mantra
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
Meaning: I bow to the Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu).
"Shanta Karam Bhujaga Shayanam Padmanabham Suresham
Vishvadharam Gagana Sadrisham Megha Varnam Shubhangam"
Meaning: I salute Vishnu, who is peaceful, rests on a serpent, has a lotus in his navel, is the Lord of gods, supports the universe, resembles the sky, has the color of clouds, and has a beautiful body.