Jaya Ekadashi 2026: Date, Parana Time, Story, Puja Rituals and Significance

Jaya Ekadashi is one of the most significant Ekadashi's, which is observed on 11th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Magha Month. The day holds an immense religious and spiritual significance among Hindus. Every year, there are 24 Ekadashi observances in the year and Ekadashi falls twice a month during Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. This year, Jaya Ekadashi is going to be celebrated on January 29, 2026. For Hindus, Jaya Ekadashi has special religious and spiritual meaning. The sole purpose of this day is to worship Lord Vishnu. On this day, Lord Vishnu's devotees, known as Vaishnavas, keep a severe fast and pray to the Lord. For devotees who fast and carry out all of the Lord Vishnu-related puja rites, Jaya Ekadashi is said to be extremely auspicious and meritorious.Devotees who observe the Jaya Ekadashi fast with the highest dedication and sincerity are said to be able to achieve spiritual purification, salvation, and Lord Vishnu's forgiveness of previous misdeeds, whether conscious or unconscious, as well as the bestowal of prosperity, happiness, and all earthly pleasures. Once, Indra or the king of deities went to a forest in the heavens called as Nandana. This forest was occupied by some gods, who were enjoying their lives there and the forest had the most beautiful ambience of the lush green woods and flowers. Malyavan was a highly handsome and knowledgeable among the inhabitants of the forest Nandan. He had fallen in love with a young girl called Pushpavati, who loved him equally.Both of them would often forgot their duties and indulged in mutual admiration of each other’s beauties. Seeing them like this, the other gods felt jealous and uncomfortable. During the visit of Indra, the gods organized for a dance concert and Malyavan and Pushpavati participated in it. As they were dancing, they totally forgot about the crowds and started getting engrossed in loving each other, which made Indra upset. Angered by their behavior, Indra cursed them that they both shall be born on the earth as poor couple and suffer poverty.Due to that curse, both of them took birth as poor couple in the Himalayas. They neither had food to survive nor clothing to cover themselves from the severe cold adequately. On the day of Jaya Ekadashi, they unknowingly entered into penance and worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Vishnu gave them back their lost glories and the heavenly life.1. Take a holy bath as soon as you wake up.2. Clean the house and especially puja room.3. Place an idol of Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Laddoo Gopal Ji, and Shree Yantra (a manifestation of Goddess Laxmi) on a wooden plank.4. Light a doya with desi ghee in front of the idols and offer flowers or garlands, tulsi patra, and sweets.5. Tulsi leaves can be picked the day before Ekadashi as this is not considered auspicious to pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi and even on Dwadashi.6. Devotees recite "Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaye" and Shri Krishna Maha Mantra 108 times.7. Recite the Ekadashi Katha for that particular Ekadashi.8. Finish the Puja with an aarti.9. Give bhog prasad to every member of the family.10. The final fast will be broken on the next day (Dwadashi Tithi) during parana time.