Safala Ekadashi 2025

Safala Ekadashi is an important Ekadashi that falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Paush month, usually observed in December or January. As the name itself suggests, observing the fast of this Ekadashi brings success in all endeavors. This fast is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and its observance destroys sins, removes poverty, and grants happiness, prosperity, and liberation. In the year 2025, Safala Ekadashi will be observed on Monday, 15th December.

What is Safala Ekadashi?

Safala Ekadashi is one of the major Ekadashis in Sanatan Dharma, observed on the Ekadashi date of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Paush. This fast is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and its meaning is- “The Ekadashi that brings success." On this day, devotees observe fasting, meditation, and worship to seek liberation from sins and to attain happiness and prosperity in life.

Safala Ekadashi 2025: Date and Time

Safala Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Paush month. In the year 2025, this Ekadashi will be observed on Monday, 15th December 2025.

Safala Ekadashi Date: 15 December 2025

Tithi Begins: Sunday, 14 December 2025 at 06:52 P.M

Tithi Ends: Monday, 15 December 2025 at 09:22 P.M

Parana Time (Breaking the Fast): After sunrise on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.

Story of Safala Ekadashi

There was once a city known as Champavati, which was the capital of King Mahishmat. The king had five sons, the eldest of whom was deeply immersed in sinful activities. He was addicted to immoral conduct and illicit relations. He squandered his father’s wealth in sinful deeds and was always engaged in wrongdoings. He disrespected Brahmins, constantly insulted Vaishnavas and even the gods. Seeing his son indulge in such unrighteous behavior, King Mahishmat named him Lumbhak and, with the support of his other sons, banished him from the kingdom.

Lumbhak left the city and went into a dense forest. From there, he often plundered the wealth of the city. One night, while stealing, he was caught by guards, but when he revealed that he was the son of King Mahishmat, they let him go. He returned to the forest and began surviving on meat and forest fruits. His resting place was near a Peepal tree, which was considered a sacred tree and worshipped as a great deity in the forest. The sinner Lumbhak resided there.

After many years, due to some stored merits of his past life, Lumbhak unknowingly observed the fast of Ekadashi. On the Dashami (the day before Ekadashi) of the Krishna Paksha of the Paush month, he ate fruits from the trees and, being without clothes, suffered through the cold night without sleep or comfort. He was nearly unconscious. Even after sunrise on Safala Ekadashi, he remained fainted. By midday, he regained some consciousness. Looking around, he somehow got up and, limping from weakness and hunger, entered deeper into the forest. There he gathered many fruits and returned to his resting place just as the sun was setting. He humbly offered those fruits at the root of the Peepal tree and prayed, “May Lord Vishnu, the consort of Goddess Lakshmi, be pleased with these offerings.” Saying this, he stayed awake the entire night. In this way, unknowingly, he observed the fast of Safala Ekadashi. At that moment, a divine voice echoed from the sky, “Prince! By the grace of Safala Ekadashi, you will regain your kingdom and be blessed with a son.” Lumbhak accepted this boon with joy. Soon after, his appearance became divine, and his mind turned toward devotion to Lord Vishnu. Adorned with celestial ornaments, he regained an unchallenged kingdom and ruled for fifteen years. By the grace of Lord Shri Krishna, he was blessed with a son named Manojnya. When the boy grew up, Lumbhak handed over the kingdom to him and renounced worldly attachments. He departed to reside near Lord Shri Krishna, where no sorrow exists.

O King! One who observes the sacred fast of Safala Ekadashi enjoys happiness in this world and attains salvation after death. Blessed are those who remain engaged in this Ekadashi’s observance — their lives are truly successful. O King! Merely reading, hearing, and following the greatness of this Ekadashi grants the fruits equal to performing the Rajasuya Yagya.

Safala Ekadashi Puja 2025: Anushthan

On the auspicious Dashami day of the Shukla Paksha of the Paush month, take a bath in the morning with a devoted and focused mind. Then, bathe again at midday, eat only once with a concentrated mind, and sleep on the floor at night. At the break of dawn, on the day of Ekadashi, perform your daily rituals and take a bath. After this, with devotion, take the vow of fasting while reciting the following mantra:

Adya sthitva niraharah sarvabhogavivarjitah.

Shvo Bhokshaye Bhavachyut in Pundarikaksha Sharanam.

O lotus-eyed Lord Narayan! Today, I shall abstain from all pleasures and remain without food, and I shall eat only tomorrow. O Achyuta! Please grant me refuge.

Then, worship Lord Harikesh with incense, fragrance, and other offerings, and spend the night in vigil near the deity. The next morning, on Dwadashi, again worship Lord Shri Hari with devotion. After that, feed Brahmins, and finally, eat silently along with your brothers, relatives, grandsons, and sons.