Varuthini Ekadashi 2025 | Date, Puja Vidhi, Importance, Donation & much more!

Introduction

Varuthini Ekadasi is observed as one of the holiest spiritual observances which honors lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th day of waning moon (Krishna Paksha) of the Vaishakha Month which exists around April-May. It brings divine protection which secures people from all negative influences and karmic bindings. 
Devotees observe this holy day by devoting themselves to Lord Vishnu through religious worship accompanied by recitations of His sacred names while working to clean their mental state. The Bhavishya Purana mentions that performing Varuthini Ekadashi helps devotees escape terrible sins so they can achieve divine protection with spiritual advancement leading to complete liberation.

When is Varuthini Ekadashi 2025?

In the year 2025 Varuthini Ekadashi will be observed on 24th April:

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 04:43 PM on Apr 23, 2025
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 02:32 PM on Apr 24, 2025
• Parana Time - 05:46 AM to 10:08 AM

Observance Across Different Regions 

Across different regions of India people observe Varuthini Ekadashi by fasting while praying to the Lord:

• The people of North India visit Vishnu and Krishna temples while they recite Bhagavad-gītā alongside Vishnu Sahasranama and attend Kirtans.
• Throughout South India people show their deep devotion to Lord Venkateshwara or Srinivasa by worshipping Him while doing charitable deeds.
• ISKCON Temples worldwide conduct nama-sankirtan ceremonies and emphasize increased chantings along with scriptural study through which the divine mercy of Lord Krishna.

Practices for Varuthini Ekadashi 2025:

People who observe Varuthini Ekadashi practice spiritual purity along with devotion and serving others while fasting.

1. Fasting: Devotees refrain themselves from grains, pulses, and beans. The fasting practice can be nirjala with no water restriction or phalahar which mean fruits and water consumption.

2. Worship and Japa: Devotees present their prayers to Lord Krishna.The Vedic recommended prayer practice includes chanting both the Mahamantra of Hare Krishna and the Vishnu Sahasranama.

3.Staying Awake (Jagaran): Devotees consider it a sacred tradition to spend their nights in worship alongside Kirtan, Bhagavad-gītā, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Bhagavata Purana scripture study.

4. Charity: Acts of charity during Varuthini Ekadashi are considered as highly meritorious and stand as the main focus during the observance of Varuthini Ekadashi.

A Full Manual for Varuthini Ekadashi 2025:

• Begin the day by chanting of Harinaam
• Avoid all kinds of grains,pulses and tamsaic food
• Visit a temple or Immerse yourself in Kritans,Krishna Kathas and soulful Japa sessions at home.
• Break your fast the next day (Dwadashi) at appropriate time with Vaishnav Prasadam.

The Scriptural Promise:

The spiritual journey of human living beings finds Varuthini Ekadashi to be of great importance. Lord Krishna revealed to Yudhishthira Maharaj through the Bhavishya Purana the holy virtues of Varuthini Ekadashi and its divine advantages. Observing Varuthini Ekadashi gives key benefits to practitioners through the cancellation of sins while also providing protection against bad fortune and leading to moksha liberation. Devotees attaining the divine benefits of Varuthini Ekadashi receive equivalent merits to those achieved through sacred river bathing along with performing hundreds of horse sacrifices known as (ashvamedha yajnas). The Varuthini Ekadashi gives special benefits for people seeking freedom from their sufferings as well as spiritual elevation with divine rewards from Lord Vishnu
During ancient times kings alongside warriors and sages invoked this vrat in order to sustain peace and protection as well as righteous governance in their territories. The religious texts reference the kings Mandata and Dhundhumara as two rulers who received significant benefits by performing this vrata.

As described by Lord Krishna in the Bhavishya Purana:

• “Whoever observes the Varuthini Ekadashi becomes free from all sinful reactions and returns to the eternal, spiritual abode. One who worships Lord Janardana by staying awake throughout the night also becomes free from all sins and attains the spiritual realm.”
• “He who is frightened of his accumulated sins and the fear of death must observe Varuthini Ekadashi by fasting strictly.”
• “And one who hears or reads the glories of this sacred Ekadashi attains the merit of donating a thousand cows in charity and ultimately returns to the Supreme abode of Vishnu.”

The Story of King Mandata

King Mandata stands as the central character of the Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat Katha because he fulfilled his duties while governing as an honorable king. The illness of leprosy struck him because of past karma actions. King Mandata honored the sacred festival of Varuthini Ekadashi when he learned its glories from a sage and followed the observance of fasting with genuine devotion. Lord Vishnu granted mandata his mercy which healed his illness and restored his physical strength along with spiritual brightness and attaining liberation. 

Conclusion 

Varuthini Ekadashi serves as a sacred possibility to connect with spiritual truth while receiving divine protection from the Lord.

As Srila Prabhupada beautifully emphasized, “The real purpose of observing fasting on Ekadashi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service.” 

Let us make Varuthini Ekadashi not just a day of austerity, but a celebration of divine love, transformation, and surrender!!