Ekadasi fasting is greater in merit than staying and visiting places of pilgrimage, performing fire sacrifices or even aswamedha sacrifice. Single ekadasi fast earns the same merit as the one who feeds 1000 devotees every day for 60,000 years.
Prayers are offered before an idol of Lord Vishnu. An offering of sandalwood paste, sesame seeds, and fruits is made after lighting the lamp before the idol. Chanting of  Vishnu Sahastranaam and Narayan Stotra.