Aja Ekadashi Puja: Seek Bhagwan Vishnu's Blessings to Remove Sins and Restore Fortune

What is Aja Ekadashi?

Aja Ekadashi falls on the eleventh lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, usually in August or September. It is also called Annada Ekadashi in many parts of North India. In regions that follow the Amanta calendar, such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, this same Ekadashi falls in the month of Shravana instead of Bhadrapada, though the tithi and the puja remain the same.

The word Aja has more than one meaning in Sanskrit. It can mean "unborn," pointing to Bhagwan Vishnu as the eternal, unborn one, and it is also linked to the idea of freedom from the cycle of birth and death, which this vrat is believed to grant.

Aja Ekadashi 2026 falls on Monday, September 7. The Ekadashi tithi begins on the evening of September 6 and continues till the evening of September 7. Parana, the breaking of the fast, is done on September 8 during the prescribed morning window. Since exact tithi timings shift slightly by location and by year, our purohits calculate the correct sankalp, puja, and parana timings for your city before performing the seva.

The origin of this vrat is described in the Brahmavaivarta Purana, where Bhagwan Krishna narrates the story of King Harishchandra to Yudhishthira. Harishchandra, known for never abandoning truth, was forced to sell his kingdom, his wife, and his son, and worked as a servant at a cremation ground. On the advice of sage Gautam, he observed the Aja Ekadashi vrat with full faith. As a result, his sins were washed away, his son was restored to life, and his kingdom was returned to him. This katha is why Aja Ekadashi is associated with removing sins and restoring what has been lost, whether that is wealth, family, or peace of mind.

Benefits of Aja Ekadashi Puja

• Removal of Sins: Aja Ekadashi is believed to cleanse the sevakartha of sins from this life and past lives, more completely than most other Ekadashis in the year.
• Punya Equal to Ashwamedha Yagya: As stated in the Brahmavaivarta Purana, even listening to or reading the Aja Ekadashi katha is said to give the same merit as performing an Ashwamedha Yagya.
• Restoration of What Is Lost: Inspired by King Harishchandra's story, this vrat is associated with regaining lost wealth, family, and standing, offering hope to sevakarthas going through difficult financial or personal circumstances.
• Protection of Bhagwan Vishnu: Sincere worship on this day is believed to bring the sevakartha under Bhagwan Vishnu's direct protection, keeping away obstacles and negative influences.
• Fulfilment of Desires: Aja Ekadashi is considered one of the Ekadashis most capable of fulfilling genuine wishes, whether related to health, family, career, or peace of mind.
• Path Toward Moksha: Consistent devotion on this day is believed to move the sevakartha closer to Vaikuntha, easing the cycle of birth and rebirth over time.
• Mental Discipline and Clarity: Even for sevakarthas who cannot observe a strict fast, sponsoring the puja and chanting Vishnu Sahasranama is said to bring calm, focus, and freedom from negative thought patterns.

 Who Should Perform This Puja

• Sevakarthas Seeking Relief from Sins: Anyone carrying the weight of past mistakes, whether in this life or believed to be carried over, can benefit from this vrat's power to cleanse.
• Sevakarthas Facing Financial or Family Struggles: Following the example of King Harishchandra, this puja is well suited to those who have lost wealth, property, or family harmony and are seeking restoration.
• Devotees of Bhagwan Vishnu: Those who regularly worship Bhagwan Vishnu and wish to deepen their devotion on one of the most significant Ekadashis of the year.
• Sevakarthas Unable to Observe a Strict Fast: Elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those advised against fasting for health reasons can still receive the puja's benefits by sponsoring the seva instead of fasting themselves.
• NRI Sevakarthas: Those living abroad who wish to have the puja performed correctly at their family temple or on their behalf in India, with the sankalp taken in their name and gotra.
• Sevakarthas Seeking Moksha and Spiritual Growth: Anyone on a path of spiritual discipline who wishes to move closer to Vaikuntha through consistent Ekadashi worship.

Scriptural References

1. Brahmavaivarta Purana: This is the primary source for Aja Ekadashi. Bhagwan Krishna narrates the vrat and its katha to Yudhishthira, describing how King Harishchandra regained his kingdom, wife, and son through this fast, and confirming that its merit equals an Ashwamedha Yagya.
2. Skanda Purana: Several Puranas, including the Skanda Purana, reinforce the broader Ekadashi vrat tradition, describing Ekadashi as a day especially dear to Bhagwan Vishnu, on which fasting and worship carry heightened spiritual significance.
3. Vishnu Sahasranama: Recited as part of this puja, the Vishnu Sahasranama is drawn from the Mahabharata and lists a thousand names of Bhagwan Vishnu, each carrying its own meaning and blessing. Chanting it on Ekadashi is considered especially auspicious.

These texts form the foundation of the Aja Ekadashi Puja Vidhi followed by our purohits, ensuring the seva stays true to tradition while remaining accessible to sevakarthas across the world.

Detailed Seva Description

1. Shriman Narayana Panchamrut Abhisheka Seva

Includes Panchamrut Abhisheka and Dhravya Abhisheka to Bhagwan Vishnu. Best suited for sevakarthas seeking a simple, focused abhisheka for purification and peace of mind.

2. Shriman Narayana Sarva Seva

Includes Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka, Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi, Tulasi Pushpa Archana, Naivedya, and Mangalaarti. Best suited for sevakarthas wanting a complete worship for Bhagwan Vishnu's full blessings.

3. Aja Ekadashi Maha Puja Seva

Includes Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka, Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi, Tulasi Pushpa Archana, Mangalaarti, Vishesha Naivedya with pancha phala and coconut, and grand tulsi haar samarpan. Best suited for sevakarthas seeking family wellbeing, prosperity, and restoration of what has been lost, in line with the Harishchandra katha.

4. Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana/Pathan Seva

Includes chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama, Archana, Naivedya, and Mangalaarti. Best suited for sevakarthas seeking clarity, protection, and inner strength through the power of Bhagwan Vishnu's names.

All sevas are performed by experienced purohits at the correct Ekadashi tithi, with sankalp taken in the sevakartha's name and gotra. NRI sevakarthas can book online and receive a puja video along with prasad delivery details.

 Aja Ekadashi Puja Process (Vidhi)

Aja Ekadashi puja follows a set sequence rooted in tradition. Here is how our purohits perform the seva on your behalf:

1. Sankalp: The puja begins with sankalp, where the purohit states the sevakartha's name, gotra, and intention before Bhagwan Vishnu. This is done early in the morning, before sunrise, as prescribed for Ekadashi rituals.
2. Cleansing and Setup: The puja area is cleaned and a kalash is placed at an auspicious spot. Idols or images of Bhagwan Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi are set up with care.
3. Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka: Bhagwan Vishnu is bathed with panchamrut, followed by dhravya abhisheka using sacred items, as part of the chosen seva.
4. Sarvalankara and Archana: Where included, Bhagwan Vishnu is adorned with lotus flowers and tulasi leaves, and Tulasi Pushpa Archana is performed while chanting His names.
5. Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana: The thousand names of Bhagwan Vishnu are recited, which is considered one of the most powerful parts of Ekadashi worship, believed to bring clarity and protection.
6. Naivedya: Fruits and, in the Maha Puja Seva, pancha phala and coconut are offered as naivedya to Bhagwan Vishnu.
7. Mangalaarti: The puja concludes with mangalaarti, where the purohit performs aarti and prays for the sevakartha's wellbeing.
8. Parana: Since Ekadashi fasting concludes with parana on the following day, sevakarthas who are also observing the vrat can align their parana with the correct Dwadashi timing to receive the full benefit of the fast.

Throughout the puja, our purohits follow the vidhi as described in the Brahmavaivarta Purana, so the sevakartha receives the complete benefit of the ritual, whether they are present in person or booking the seva from abroad.