In the auspicious month of Sawan, a special day arrives for the worship of Lord Vishnu's Kalki avatar, known as Kalki Jayanti. This festival is celebrated every year on the Shashthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. It is religiously believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu resolved to manifest as Kalki. This year, in 2025, Kalki Jayanti falls on Wednesday, July 30th.
Date and Auspicious Timing Information
According to the Hindu calendar, the Shashthi Tithi of Kalki Jayanti begins on July 30th at 12:46 AM and lasts until 2:41 AM on July 31st. The auspicious time for worship during this period is from 4:31 PM to 7:13 PM. It is during this time that special prayers are offered to the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Who is Lord Kalki?
According to religious beliefs, Lord Vishnu has taken nine avatars so far, and his tenth avatar will be Kalki at the end of Kali Yuga. The Kalki avatar is considered extremely powerful and just. It is said that he will destroy the sinners and re-establish righteousness. In the Puranas, Kalki is described as riding a white horse and wielding a sword.
How to Worship: Know the Ritual
On the day of Kalki Jayanti, devotees follow a special worship ritual. Fasting, chanting mantras, and offering bhog to the Lord are considered auspicious on this day. Preparations for the puja begin at Brahma Muhurta.
- Wake up early in the morning and take a bath, and take a pledge to observe the fast.
- Purify the house and the place of worship with Ganga water or clean water.
- Wear yellow or white clothes.
- Establish the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and Kalki on a puja platform.
- Bathe the Lord with Panchamrit.
- Offer sandalwood, turmeric, and Akshat (unbroken rice) after dressing him in clean clothes.
- Offer Tulsi leaves and yellow flowers.
- Light incense and lamps and perform the Lord's aarti.
- In the bhog, offer fruits, sweets, Panchamrit, and Chappan Bhog (56 food items).
- Chant the mantra “ॐ कल्किने नमः” 108 times.
- Recite Vishnu Sahasranama and Kalki Stotra.
Special Preparations in Temples
On the occasion of Kalki Jayanti, special events are organized in Vishnu temples across the country. In many places, recitation of the Kalki Purana, discourses based on the Kalki avatar, Chappan Bhog, Bhandara (community feast), and cultural events are held.
In many temples in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and South India, thousands of devotees gather on this day to worship collectively. In some places, a tableau of Lord Kalki is also taken out.
Devotees Observe Fast and Perform Parana
On Kalki Jayanti, devotees observe a fast and break it the next day with Parana. During the fast, sattvic food is taken, and the day is spent in devotion to the Lord. Women listen to the stories of Kalki avatar and recite the Kalki Stotra at home.
Importance of Kalki Avatar in the Puranas
The Puranas describe that when unrighteousness and injustice reach their peak in Kali Yuga, Lord Vishnu will appear in the form of Kalki. This avatar is different from all other avatars because its arrival has not yet happened but will occur in the future.
The Srimad Bhagavat Mahapurana and Vishnu Purana mention the Kalki avatar in detail. It also states that Kalki will destroy unrighteousness with a sword in his hand and begin a new Satya Yuga.
Where Kalki Jayanti is Celebrated in a Special Way
Kalki Jayanti is celebrated with great fanfare in Ballia, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. In South India, special prayers are offered in Vishnu temples in many parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka on this day.
In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, Katha, Pujan, and Bhajan Sandhya are organized by many religious organizations on this day.
