Ekadashi is considered to be an auspicious day in Hindu and Jain culture. It takes place on the eleventh day of the two lunar cycles of the month, Krishna & Shukla Paksha. Spiritually, Ekadashi symbolises eleven senses constituting five sense organs, five action organs and one mind. People observe a fast to mark the day by controlling the eleven senses and consuming only permitted foods and refraining from others.There are 24 types of Ekadashi in a year, all associated with various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Each accompanies certain food rules during fast, which must be followed to direct the mental energy in the right direction and refrain from bad deeds.The Ekadashi Tithi is of great significance for a Shri Vishnu devotee, and therefore, the tradition of observing a vrat has been in practice for centuries. And interestingly, it is deemed one of the most auspicious days in the Lunar fortnight. Moreover, each Ekadashi Tithi (eleventh day) has a specific name and significance. For example, the Ekadashi Vrat of Jyestha, Krishna Paksha (according to the Purnimant calendar) or Vaishakha, Krishna Paksha (per the Amavasyant calendar) is Apara Ekadashi. It is also known as Achala Ekadashi.Apara Ekadashi Puja Vidhi Wake up early. Preferably during Brahma Muhurat (precisely two hours before sunrise).
Add a few drops of Ganga Jal to a bucket of water that you would use for bathing. Wear clean clothes after taking a bath.
Light a lamp (with sesame or mustard oil or ghee) and place it on the altar.
Invoke Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings while chanting 'OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' as you offer Jal (water), Pushpam (flowers), Gandham (natural perfume), Deep (oil lamp), Dhoop (incense) and Naivedhya (any fruit or cooked food) to Lord Vishnu.
Prepare kheer or halwa or any other vegetarian dessert. If you are pressed for time, you can even offer bananas or any oter fruit.
Offer Paan, Supari, a brown coconut broken into two, bananas and/or other fruits, Chandan, Kumkum, Haldi, Akshat and Dakshina.
Read the Apara Ekadashi Vrat Katha. Recite the Shri Vishnu Sahasranam and/or do the Naam Jaapa.
Donate food, money or essentials.
In the evening (during or after sunset), light an oil lamp and incense sticks and pray to Lord Vishnu. Offer flowers (optional), water, bhog (any sweet preparation) or fruits/dry fruits.
Conclude the puja by performing the aarti.