Utpanna Ekadashi: Timings, Vrat Katha, Rituals, Significance

Utpanna Ekadashi or ‘Uttpatti Ekadashi’ as it also known, is observed on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon) during the ‘Margashirsh’ month of the Hindu calendar. However in the Gregorian calendar, it falls between the months of November to December. Hindu devotees who begin the ekadashi fast should start with Utapanna Ekadashi. It is a popular belief that this ekadashi helps devote get rid from all their sins, both of the present and past lives.

Utppana Ekadashi celebrates the victory of lord Vishnu over a demon named ‘Murasura’. Furthermore according to the Hindu legends, the birth of Ekadashi Mata took place on Utpanna Ekadashi. In the northern states of India this ekadashi is celebrated during the month of ‘Margashirsh’, whereas in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Utpanna Ekadashi falls during the month of ‘Kartik’. Also in the Malayalam calendar, the month is ‘Vrischika Masam’ or ‘Thulam’ and in the Tamilian calendar it is observed during the ‘Karthigai Masam’ or ‘Aippasi’. The main deities of Utpanna Ekadashi are Lord Vishnu and Mata Ekadashi.

Utpanna Ekadashi 2024 is on November 26 Tuesday

6 months and 26 days to go for the event

Important Timings On Utpanna Ekadashi 2024

Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Listen to Utpanna Ekadashi Vrat Katha in English

During Satyayuga, a deadly strike on heaven was conducted by a demon named Murasur, the son of Talajangha, who fell under the lineage of Brahma. The Devas were battered by the war, and Murasur threw them out of heaven (Swarga-Lok).

Defeated Devas united under Indra, their King, and sought Lord Shiva's help. They went to him saying, "Oh Shiva Shankar, the horrors of the demon Mur in the mortal realm are causing agony for all of us. Please show us the path out of this pain."

Hearing their cry, Lord Shiva asked them to pray to Lord Vishnu, as he was the one who annihilated numerous demons with his arrows and decapitated the heads of infinite demons with his disc, the Sudarshana Chakra.

Indra, accompanied by other Devas, went to Lord Vishnu praying for assistance; they pleaded, "We always bow down to you, Oh Lord of all Devas, who the Gods revere. Oh, Madhusudana, exterminator of all evil, keep us safe. All the Devas and Asuras come to you for protection whenever they are afraid, oh Jagannath. You are the one who brings peace to the Universe and creates, maintains, and destroys it. In the skies and the netherworlds, you are everywhere. You are Brahma, the sun, moon, fire, and mantras. We have been driven out from heaven by the Asuras. We ask for your protection. Oh Lord, please keep us safe!"

On hearing this, Lord Vishnu asked, "Who is this demon that defeated you? What is his name? Tell me more about him."

Indra replied, "Oh Lord, in ancient times, a demon named Talajanga was born from the Brahma lineage. His son is called Mur. With his might, he overthrew every nation on Earth and drove every deity out of heaven.

Lord Vishnu said, "I vouch to you that I would wipe this demon from this Universe." Saying this, Lord Vishnu led the Devas to the city of Chandravati.

The demon Mur learned about the turn of events and prepared for the upcoming battle with Lord Vishnu. For a thousand years and more, they engaged in an epic battle that defied time itself.

The Devas, already exhausted and recovering from the previous battle, were no match for the formidable Asuras. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu entered the battle. The Asuras, akin to moths drawn to a flame before burning themselves, relentlessly attacked Lord Vishnu, only to meet their inevitable demise.

After the near-complete extermination of the Asuras by Lord Vishnu's divine weapons, including the Kaumodaki mace and the mind-controlled Sudarshana Chakra, among others, Murasura defiantly advanced towards Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu used many of his Astras on Murasura, but all of them were neutralized by the time they reached him. Murasura's strength was so immense that the once-potent weapons, upon reaching him, fell upon his body like gentle petals cascading from flowers.

Seeing that the Astras (Ranged Weapons) were of no use against Murasura, Lord Vishnu charged towards the demon with his Shastras (Melee Weapons). The battle intensified, and the weapons were abandoned; then, the fight changed to a hand-to-hand wrestling combat called Malla-Yuddha.

With neither side willing to yield, the battle continued relentlessly for over a thousand years. Eventually, realizing the seemingly endless nature of the conflict, Lord Vishnu decided to take respite. Seeking a place for repose, he withdrew to a location known as Badrikashram, present-day Badrinath. There, within a cave named Hemavati that stretched approximately 40 kilometres, he entered into a state of Yoga-Nidra or deep meditative sleep.

The demon entered the single-door cave quickly after learning about it and decided to wipe out Lord Vishnu from existence. After seeing Lord Vishnu asleep, Murasur went in for the kill.

As soon as the demon came close, a divine maiden emerged from Lord Vishnu's body. The maiden was exceptionally beautiful and possessed many weapons. She drove the demon away from Lord Vishnu, and after a short skirmish, she swiftly struck his neck, beheading him on the spot and sending him to the realm of Yama.

When Lord Vishnu awoke, disturbed by the tumultuous battle, he was astonished to find the lifeless body of Murasura. Puzzled, he inquired, "Who has vanquished this demon?" The young woman, with folded hands, replied, "O Lord! This malevolent being was poised to end your existence. Born from your own self, I have slain him."

Pleased with her courage, Lord Vishnu said, "Indeed, you have rid us of this threat. As you have brought joy to all three realms, ask for any boon you desire."

The maiden expressed her wish, saying, "O Lord! Please grant me the boon that anyone observing my fast shall be absolved of all sins, enter paradise, and receive half the merits from fasting on the day and the other half from partaking in a single meal with devotion. Bestow prosperity upon those who follow my fast by consuming once during the day and once at night."

Lord Vishnu granted her request, saying, "So be it! Your fast, as the defender of this Universe, shall be most dear to me, more cherished than Tritiya, Ashtami, Navami, and Chaturdashi. The merits of your fast shall surpass those of all other sacred practices." With these words, Lord Vishnu disappeared from the scene.

Rituals during Utpanna Ekadashi:

• The fast on the Utpanna Ekadashi starts from the dawn of the ekadashi until the sunrise of ‘dwadashi’. Some people even start from vrat from the 10th day by eating only one ‘saatvik’ meal before sunset. On Utapanna Ekadashi eating rice, all forms of pulses and grains is prohibited for all.
• The devotees get up before sunrise on the day of Utpanna Ekadashi. Lord Krishna is worshipped on this day during the ‘Brahma Muhurat’. After finishing their morning rituals, devotees offer prayers to Mata Ekadashi and God Vishnu. Special Bhog and offering s are made to please the lord. Chanting Vedic mantra and devotional songs is considered auspicious on Utpanna Ekadashi.
• On the day of Utpanna Ekadashi, one must also offer donations to the Brahmins, poor and needy. The donations can be in the form of food, money, clothes or other essentials in life, according to one’s capacity.

Significance of Utpanna Ekadashi:

The greatness of Utpanna Ekadashi is described in various Hindu scriptures like the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’ in the form of conversation between Sri Krishna and King Yudhisthira. The significance of Utpanna Ekadashi is same as making donations on the auspicious days like ‘Sankranti’ or taking a holy bath in Hindu pilgrimages. It is considered that the observer of Utapanna Ekadashi is liberated from his/her sins and finally attains moksha or salvation. They are taken straight to the abode of Lord Vishnu, ‘Vaikunth’ after death. It is believed that the glory of the Utpanna Ekadashi is even more than donating 1000 cows in charity. The fast kept on Utpanna Ekadashi equals to fasting for the three main deities of Hinduism, namely, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Hence Hindu devotees observe the Utapanna Ekadashi vrat with full dedication and fervour.

Utpanna Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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