Utpanna Ekadashi 2025 | Day | Date | Time | Legend | Significance, and Rituals

🌺 When is Utpanna Ekadashi in 2025, and Why Is it celebrated? 

By Intimate Viewpoint

Introduction

Utpanna Ekadashi marks the beginning of all Ekadashi fasts according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It holds deep spiritual significance as it commemorates the divine birth of Goddess Ekadashi, who emerged from Lord Vishnu’s energy to destroy the demon Murasura. The day represents the victory of righteousness and self-discipline over evil and ignorance.

Date, Day and Time

According to the Hindu Panchang, Utpanna Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) of the Margashirsha month. It is one of the most spiritually powerful Ekadashis observed by devotees of Lord Vishnu.

Ekadashi Date Begins: Saturday, 15 November 2025 at 12:49 AM

Ekadashi Date Ends: Sunday, 16 November 2025 at 2:37 AM

Parana (breaking of the fast): 16 November 2025 between 1:09 PM – 3:18 PM (timings may slightly vary by location)

As sunrise times differ by city, devotees are advised to confirm the Parana Muhurat using their local Panchang.

🌿 Meaning of “Utpanna Ekadashi”

The Sanskrit word Utpanna means “born” or “originated.” The day is called Utpanna Ekadashi because it marks the origin or birth of the divine feminine power — Goddess Ekadashi.

According to scriptures, Lord Vishnu himself created this divine energy to annihilate evil forces and establish dharma. Hence, this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Ekadashi Devi, symbolizing the power of spiritual awakening and divine protection.

 The Legend of Utpanna Ekadashi

The story of Utpanna Ekadashi is described in the Bhavishyottara Purana. The legend goes as follows:

The Tyranny of Demon Mura

In the ancient Satyayuga, there lived a fearsome demon named Murasura (Mura). He possessed immense strength and magical powers, through which he defeated the gods and seized control over Amaravati, the celestial city of Lord Indra.

Unable to withstand his cruelty, the gods approached Lord Shiva for help. Shiva advised them to seek refuge in Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe.

Lord Vishnu’s Battle with Mura

Lord Vishnu, moved by the gods’ prayers, engaged Mura in a fierce battle that lasted thousands of years. Despite Lord Vishnu’s divine weapons — the Sudarshana Chakra, Kaumodaki Gada, and others — Mura continued to resist.

Exhausted after a long battle, Lord Vishnu entered a cave named Himavati Guha near Badrikashrama to rest. Sensing this as an opportunity, Mura followed him into the cave, intent on killing the resting Lord.

The Birth of Ekadashi Devi

As Mura prepared to strike, a divine feminine energy emerged from Vishnu’s body — radiant, powerful, and fierce. She was none other than Ekadashi Devi, born from the Lord’s transcendental energy.

She confronted the demon and, after a fierce combat, slew Mura with her divine weapons. When Lord Vishnu awoke and saw the slain demon, he was pleased and blessed the goddess.

Vishnu declared: 

“O noble lady! You are born from my own energy on the eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi Tithi). From this day onward, whoever observes a fast on Ekadashi in your honor will be freed from all sins and will attain my eternal abode, Vaikuntha.”

Thus, the day came to be celebrated as Utpanna Ekadashi, marking the divine origin of the Ekadashi Vrat.

🌺 Spiritual Significance of Utpanna Ekadashi

Utpanna Ekadashi is not just a religious observance but a spiritual practice for self-purification and discipline. The day reminds devotees that divine energy always arises to protect righteousness and destroy evil tendencies.

1. The Beginning of All Ekadashis

It is believed that Utpanna Ekadashi was the first ever Ekadashi fast observed in the universe. Therefore, it holds special significance as the root from which all 24 (sometimes 26) Ekadashis originate.

2. Symbol of Victory of Dharma

Just as Goddess Ekadashi destroyed the demon Mura, the observance of this day helps destroy the inner demons of anger, greed, lust, and ego.

3. Liberation from Sins

According to scriptures, the Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat cleanses one’s sins accumulated over many lifetimes. Those who sincerely observe this fast are believed to attain moksha (liberation) and reach Vaikuntha Dham after death.

4. Comparable to Thousand Pilgrimages

The Padma Purana and Skanda Purana state that observing a single Ekadashi Vrat sincerely gives merit equivalent to performing thousands of pilgrimages and yajnas.

5. Awakening Inner Strength

The legend symbolizes the awakening of divine feminine energy (Shakti) within us — reminding that spiritual strength lies dormant until awakened through devotion, austerity, and self-control.

🪔 Rituals and Observances

1. Preparation (Dashami Evening)

Devotees begin preparations on the Dashami Tithi (the day before Ekadashi).

They avoid consuming grains, onions, garlic, or non-vegetarian food. Light meals made of fruits or milk are preferred.

2. Sankalp and Morning Purification

On Ekadashi morning, devotees wake up before sunrise, take a holy bath, and make a Sankalp (vow) before Lord Vishnu — promising to observe the fast with sincerity and devotion.

They light a lamp, offer flowers, Tulsi leaves, fruits, and recite Vishnu mantras such as:

'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'

3. Fasting Rules

Strict observers maintain Nirjala Vrat — complete fasting without food or water.

Others may follow Phalahar Vrat, consuming only fruits, milk, or water.

Grains, pulses, and beans are strictly avoided as they are believed to harbor negative energies on Ekadashi days.

4. Worship and Reading the Legend

Devotees read or listen to the Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha, describing the slaying of demon Mura.

They chant Vishnu Sahasranama or recite chapters from the Bhagavad Gita.

Many devotees also visit Vishnu temples or perform home puja before a picture or idol of Lord Vishnu reclining on Sheshanaga.

5. Night Vigil (Jagran)

Spending the night awake in devotional singing, bhajans, and prayers is considered highly auspicious. It symbolizes spiritual wakefulness and dedication.

6. Parana – Breaking the Fast

The fast is broken on Dwadashi Tithi (the next morning) after sunrise during the auspicious Parana Muhurat — in 2025, on Sunday, 16 November between 1:09 PM – 3:18 PM (may vary by city).

Breaking the fast before or after the prescribed time is discouraged as it diminishes the fruit of the observance.

7. Charity and Service

After completing the fast, devotees offer food and charity to Brahmins, cows, and the poor. Donation of food, clothes, and money is believed to multiply the benefits of the fast.

🌼 Benefits of Observing Utpanna Ekadashi

1. Spiritual Cleansing:

It purifies the mind, body, and soul, freeing one from negative thoughts and past karmic sins.

2. Health and Mental Peace:

The simple diet and fasting practice help detoxify the body, calm the mind, and improve focus.

3. Divine Protection:

Just as Goddess Ekadashi protected the gods, sincere devotees are believed to receive protection from evil and misfortune.

4. Family and Ancestral Blessings:

Observing Ekadashi brings blessings not only to the individual but also to family members and departed ancestors (pitras).

5. Path to Moksha:

Lord Vishnu himself promised liberation to those who faithfully follow the Ekadashi Vrat, as it leads to surrender, humility, and self-discipline.

💫 Symbolic and Moral Message

The legend of Utpanna Ekadashi is a beautiful metaphor for human life. The demon Mura represents inner negativity — pride, ego, laziness, and greed — while Goddess Ekadashi represents consciousness and divine awareness.

Just as she emerged from Lord Vishnu to destroy evil, our own divine consciousness must awaken to overcome the darkness within us.

Thus, this Ekadashi teaches:

To fight internal battles through faith and self-control.

To rest in the divine (as Lord Vishnu did) and allow spiritual energy to guide us.

To celebrate the awakening of the Shakti within, which brings peace and enlightenment.

🕉️ Do’s and Don’ts on Utpanna Ekadashi

✅ Do’s

Wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath.

Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Ekadashi.

Observe fast according to your health capacity.

Spend the day in bhajans, prayers, or reading scriptures.

Break the fast only during the proper Parana time.

Donate food, clothes, or money to the needy.

❌ Don’ts

Avoid rice, wheat, pulses, or any form of grain.

Refrain from gossip, anger, or negative speech.

Do not sleep during the day.

Avoid indulging in physical pleasures or distractions.

Never break the fast before the prescribed Parana Muhurat.

🌞 Conclusion

Utpanna Ekadashi 2025, observed on Saturday, 15 November, is a spiritually charged occasion that reminds humanity of the eternal triumph of divine energy over evil.

It is not merely a ritualistic fast but a conscious spiritual practice — one that awakens the divine strength (Ekadashi Shakti) within every individual. Observing it with devotion cleanses the heart, purifies the soul, and opens the door to liberation.

As Lord Vishnu declared,

 “Whoever observes the sacred Ekadashi fast with faith shall attain freedom from all sins and dwell eternally in my divine abode.”

Let us therefore celebrate this Utpanna Ekadashi with faith, devotion, and a pure heart — allowing the light of Goddess Ekadashi to dispel the darkness of ignorance and fill our lives with divine wisdom, peace, and bliss. 🌸