Annada/Aja Ekadashi Vrat

The fast observed during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapad is known as Annada Ekadashi. It falls in the month of August or September in the Gregorian calendar. While in North India, it is observed during the Krishna Paksha in Bhadra month, in other Indian regions, it is observed in the month of Shravan.

Hindu devotees believe the observance of this vrat eradicates all their sinful and evil activities. Also known as Aja Ekadashi or Ananda Ekadashi, this vrat is dedicated towards Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi.

The legend behind the observance of Annada Ekadashi can be taken back to the famous king Harischandra. He was known for his truthfulness and honesty. One day, Sage Vashista and Sage Vishwamitra betted on the truthfulness of the king. While sage Vashista was in favor of the king, sage Vishwamitra objected that the king also lies. As a result, king Harischandra had to give up his kingdom and leave for Kashi. Though he became an undertaker in Kashi, he never lied. He always stood by his word and followed a proper code of conduct. One fine day, the king happened to meet the great sage Gautama. The king recounted his entire sad story to the sage.

Thereafter, the sage suggested the king to observe the Annada Ekadashi since it had the power to wash away all the sins. Agreed, the king observed the fast and continued with his firm belief in honesty and truthfulness. Hence, as expected, sage Vishwamitra accepted his defeat and returned the kingdom to the king. Moreover, the king was even able to get back his wife and his dead son became alive. Eventually, the king ruled his kingdom happily for many years and finally, attained Moksha (salvation) and reached the Vaikunta. There are no specific rules for observing the fast on Annada Ekadashi. All general rules for the Ekadashi are followed on this day as well. Rice, grains and beans are avoided.

201 Date : 28^th August, Sunday.

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

Putrada Ekadashi, also known as Pavitropana Ekadashi and Pavitra Ekadashi, is a Hindu holy day, which falls on the 11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Shravana (July-August). All the normal rules associated with Ekadasi fasting is observed during Putrada.

The popular belief is that by observing Putrada Ekadasi Vrat one will be able to get a son. As per  Bhavishya purana, this vrat is mentioned by Lord Sri Krishna to Yudhishtira. It is also considered highly auspicious to feed poor children and old people on this day. Also a person who observe this vrata achieves moksha after his death.

Legend has it that King Mahijit was extremely successful and victorious. However, what bothered him was the absence of children which became a constant worry since he would not have anyone to perform his last rituals and honor the forefathers. He performed several charities, good deeds and also observed countless homas, yagnas and yagas (sacrifices) but in vain. Thus, he set out in the search of Sage Lomasa to seek help and advice. Born from the hair of Lord Brahma, Sage Lomasa had the capability to vision the past, present and future. The kind retold his entire story.

On hearing the story, the sage began meditating and realized that the king was a vysya (merchant) in his previous birth who traveled selling goods. On one journey, the king was very thirsty and reached a lake in the search of water. There, he saw a thirsty cow and a newborn calf drinking water. He then drove away the cow and his calf for drinking water himself. Therefore, he had committed the sin of obstructing the cow from drinking water. It was due to this reason that he was still childless in his present birth. To erase the sin committed, the sage advised the king to observe the Pavitra Ekadashi vrat.

The king, along with his wife, observe this fast and in due time, got a handsome and healthy son. Also, the son grew up to become a successful ruler. Therefore, pavitra Ekadashi is regarded as the most important fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed with great fervor and devotion. In addition, this vrat is known to be one of the greatest Ekadashi vrats among all 24 Ekadashi vrats in Hinduism as it is associated with engendering children. Foods containing rice and grains are avoided on this day. Some firm devotees even keep vigil (stay awake during the whole night) on this day.

2016 Date : 14^th August,Sunday.

2017 Date : 3rd August

Kamika Ekadashi

This Ekadashi is observed during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) in the Shravan month in the traditional North Indian Hindu calendar, Kamika Ekadashi falls in the month of July or August. However, in the Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada and Telugu calendar, Kamika Ekadashi falls in the Ashada month. This vrat is considered highly significant and auspicious for performing good deeds and seeking blessings of the Lord. Holy baths take place in sacred rivers, such as Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Cauvery, Godavari, Krishna, and so on. 

According to Hindu beliefs, a devotee observing a vrat on Kamika Ekadashi is believed to have being blessed more than a person performing ritual baths in all the sacred rivers in India on auspicious days. Also, a devotee completing the Kamika Ekadashi vrat is likely to receive more punya, or blessings, from the Lord than one who has visited all Hindu holy places, such as Kasi, Haridwar, Kedarnath, etc. In this day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped using Tulsi leaves since due to the belief that this will wash away all the sins and evil deeds performed during the entire life.

Also lamps are filled with ghee or sesame oil and lit at Sri Krishna temples as part of the offerings. Another major belief for observing this fast is that Kamika Ekadashi is equivalent to reciting all the scriptures dedicated to Lord Vishnu. However, the greatest merit of observing Kamika Ekadashi vrat is achieving Vaikunta Prapthi, that is, attaining salvation in Vishnu Lokam. This indicates that the devotee�s devotion would not be disturbed by Yamadharmaraj, the lord of death, in heaven.

2016  Date : 30th July, Saturday. 

2017 Date : 19th July.

Devshayani Ekadasi

The waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) of Ashada month is celebrated as Devshayani Ekadashi or Ashadi Ekadashi. The date of this ritual corresponds to the month of June or July.  In Maharashtra, the famous Pandarpur Yatra concludes on this day. The major celebrations take place in Lord Vithal Temple in Pandarpur.The Chatur Maas vrat begins from this day, as it is believed that Lord Vishnu went into a deep sleep for the next four months beginning from this day.

Story :

According to legends, there was a noble king named Mandata in Surya Vamsha who ruled a highly prosperous kingdom. He as immensely truthful and was engaged with numerous auspicious deeds. Nonetheless, the prosperity was highly affected as the kingdom received no rains for over three years. Eventually, no farming activities could take place and hence, numerous people and animals died while others were severely affected. Though the king performed several vrats, pujas, homas, but to no avail.

Thus, he set out on a journey and met many holy men with whom he discussed his problem. But, none of them could come out with a solution. At last, he met Sage Angira who instructed him to observe the Devshayani Ekadashi falling during the Shukla Paksha of the Ashada month. As advised, the king went back to his palace and observed the vrat along with family members and courtiers. As expected, the kingdom received rains thereby ending the three years of severe drought. Thus, the lost glory and merit of the kingdom was regained.

Thousands of devotees gather on the banks of River Godavari at Kala Ram Temple and take a holy dip in the waters while paying obeisance to Lord Rama. Devotees observing the Devshayani Ekadashi vrat follow the same rules associated with other Ekadashi fasts.

 2017 Date : 4th July.

Ekadasi Dates 2017

Ekadasi Vrat is the most auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu.Ekadasi is regarded as one of the most significant vrats observed by the Hindu community. The word Ekadasi has been derived from the Sanskrit term �Ekadasi� which means eleven.

Thus, Ekadasi occurs on the 11th day of every fortnight in a traditional Hindu lunar calendar. As such, there occurs two Ekadasis in every Hindu month, once during the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) and the other during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha). As per the Hindu scriptures, a strict vrat is observed from sunset on the day prior to the Ekadashi until sunrise on the day after Ekadashi, lasting the fasting duration to 48 hours in total. 

Rules for keeping Ekadashi Upvaas:

�         One should not eat any cereals ("Ann" in hindi) like rice, pulses, wheat etc. & salt.

�         If possible, one should stay on water-Drinking luke warm water or lemon-mishri (crystalized sugar) water is very good as it cleanses the hidden undigested food in the body.

�         If one feels hungry, then one can take milk or fruit.

�         Fruit should not be eaten with milk (therefore no strawberry shake, mango shake, chickoo shake etc.).

�         One should not eat food like "sabudana", potato chips, fried food, etc. Also Banana is not recommended on this day since it is heavy to digest.

�         One should think that he/she is keeping this vrat to please God & to progress further in "sadhana".

�         One should observe self-control.

�         One should do more of maun-japa (repeating the name of God in mind) in the day time.

�         One should do more of Dhyan & Bhajan by keeping awake for a longer time in the night.

Ekadasi Dates 2017 :

Date	Day	Ekadashi
08 January	Sunday	Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
09 January	Monday	Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
23 January	Monday	Shattila Ekadashi
07 February	Tuesday	Jaya Ekadashi
22 February	Wednesday	Vijaya Ekadashi
08 March	Wednesday	Amalaki Ekadashi
24 March	Friday	Papmochani Ekadashi
07 April	Friday	Kamada Ekadashi
22 April	Saturday	Varuthini Ekadashi
06 May	Saturday	Mohini Ekadashi
22 May	Monday	Apara Ekadashi
05 June	Monday	Nirjala Ekadashi
20 June	Tuesday	Yogini Ekadashi
04 July	Tuesday	Devshayani Ekadashi
19 July	Wednesday	Kamika Ekadashi
20 July	Thursday	Kamika Ekadashi
03 August	Thursday	Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
18 August	Friday	Aja Ekadashi
02 September	Saturday	Parsva Ekadashi
16 September	Saturday	Indira Ekadashi
01 October	Sunday	Papankusha Ekadashi
15 October	Sunday	Rama Ekadashi
31 October	Tuesday	Devutthana Ekadashi
14 November	Tuesday	Utpanna Ekadashi
30 November	Thursday	Mokshada Ekadashi
13 December	Wednesday	Saphala Ekadashi
29 December	Friday	Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Yogini Ekadasi

Yogini Ekadashi falls in the month of Ashadha during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) as per the North Indian Hindu calendar. This usually occurs in the month of June or July. Yogini Ekadashi is regarded as the most significant Ekadashi fast in order to get rid of various ailments and diseases. The Hindus believe that by observing this vrat, they would be blessed with good health and well being. Also, observance of this vrat is known to redeem a person from sins and ill deeds and assist in attaining salvation.

How To Observe Yogini Ekadashi Vrat :

Legends narrate the story of a gardener named Hema Mali, a Yaksha and his extremely beautiful wife, Swarupavati. Hema Mali worked under Kuvera, King of Alakapuri, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva. Hema Mali�s job was to collect flowers from Manasarovar Lake and provide them to the king for the daily Shiva puja. Nonetheless, he was highly attracted towards his wife and hence, one day, he stayed back with wife neglecting his duties. Thus, he could not deliver flowers for the puja to the king. The king sent one of his messengers to find out the reason for Hema Mali�s absence and negligence. The messenger found that Hema Mali was spending time with his wife instead of fulfilling his duty of collecting flowers.

He returned back and informed the king that the reason for his carelessness is his gorgeous wife. Hema Mali was summoned to the court. Though he begged for forgiveness, the king cursed him with suffering from white leprosy and be separated from his wife. He was thrown out of the palace and Hem Mali immediately got afflicted with white leprosy. He wandered through the forests for years and finally reached the ashram of Sage Markandeya. The whole tale was retold to the sage. The sage asked Hema Mali to observe Yogini Ekadashi vrat in order to get liberated from the dangerous infection and relieved from the curse.

As directed, Hema Mali observed the fast and returned back to his divine form as a Yaksha. Therefore, he was able to reunite with his wife and live the rest of his life happily. All devotees observing this fast are freed from their sins and are provided with great liberation. The rituals and customs for following Yogini Ekadashi are same as that of other Ekadashi fasts. The fast begins from sunrise and lasts until the next day�s sunrise. People observing a partial fast on this day resist from consuming food made from rice or grains. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, devotees are advised to chant and recite Vishnu Stotras during the day of the fast.

2017 Date : 20th June.

Nirjala Ekadasi

Nirjala Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Jyeshtha as per the traditional Hindu lunar calendar.It is also known as Pandav Bhim Ekadashi. While in all Ekadashi fasts, devotees are allowed to drink water, however while observing a Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, they do not drink water throughout the day.

Legends take one back to the mythological story of Mahabharata as the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat has been mentioned therein. Kunit, mother of the Pandavas, Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, and all the four Pandava brothers - Yudhisthira, Arjun, Nakula and Sahadeva used to observe Ekadashi vrats without fail. However, the second Pandava brother, Bhima resisted from fasting as he was a voracious eater and wasn�t able to control his hunger. On one occasion, Bhima chose to observe the vrat but he also wanted to eat. Hence, he went out to Ved Vyasa, the grandfather of the Pandavas, to seek help in observing the fast. 

While eating and fasting were not possible simultaneously, sage Vyasa suggested that he observe the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat, which includes the benefits of observing 24 Ekadashi vrats. Nirjala Ekadashi is regarded as the strictest fast among all the Ekadashis in the Hindu religion as one cannot even drink water while observing it. The literal meaning of Nirjala is �without water�. Thus, all Vishnu devotees who take up this fast do not drink water nor eat any food during the entire day of fasting. Observing a Nirjala Ekadashi is highly beneficial as it is considered equivalent to going on a pilgrimage. The vrat begins at sunrise on the Ekadahsi and ends on the next day�s sunrise. 

The entire day of the Nirjala Ekadashi vrat is spent at Vishnu temples. Devotees also prefer spending the day at home by listening to stories from Bhagavad Purana or chanting bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu. People who are under medications, having a poor health condition or disease, pregnant women and those who have just delivered a baby are relieved from observing this vrat. Therefore, it is advised not to keep this fast as one should not torture their body in the act of following customs and religious traditions. Instead, they can compensate for the fast by donating food and clothes to the poor and needy.

2017 Date : 5^th June.

Apara Ekadasi

Apara Ekadashi is observed in the month of Jyeshtha during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha). It is also celebrated as Achala Ekadashi, Bhadrakali Ekadashi, Viashakha Vadi Ekadashi and Jalakrida Ekadashi in various parts of India.By observing this vrat  would help in eliminating their sins and henceforth, would finally assist them in attaining Moksha, or salvation.

  

A devotee practicing Apara Ekadashi is likely to receive merits equal to performing various religious and spiritual acts. To name a few, these include performing three ritual baths in Pushkar Kshetra in Kartika masam, performing ritual bath in Prayag in the month of Magha masam at Mesha Sankraman, worshipping Lord Shiva in Varanasi, offering tharpan to forefathers at Gaya, performing ritual bath in Gautami River at Simha Sankraman, and so on. People also believe that one can become famous and popular through various commendable actions.

In northern regions, like Punjab, Haryana and places of Jammu and Kashmir, the ritual is known as Bhadrakali Ekadashi and is considered one of the most propitious days for worshipping Goddess Bhadra Kali. This is an important festival for the Aryan Saraswat Brahmin sect. On the other hand in Orissa, this vrat is referred to as Jalakrida Ekadashi, which is dedicated to Lord Jagannath in Puri. The Apara Ekadashi vrat is observed from sunrise till the sunrise on the next day. While Apara Ekadashi vrat calls for a strict fasting, people also opt for observing a partial fast. In such a case, they are allowed to consume fruits and milk only. Most importantly, food containing rice and grains should be avoided.

2017 Date : 22nd May.

Mohini Ekadashi

Mohini Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day of waxing phase of moon in the month of Vaisakha (April � May).Mohini Ekadashi fast helps in removing the burden of sins and enjoy a peaceful life. Devotees believe that the fasting on Mohini Ekadasi provide more punaya than bathing in holy in river.

 Story :

Dhanapala was a well-known and religious merchant residing in the city of Bhadravati on the banks of River Saraswati. He was a loyal follower of Lord Vishnu and hence, was popular for his charity and spiritual activities. However, his son, Dhrstabuddhi was exactly the reverse of his father. Thus, he was thrown out of the house due to bad influences and associations. After expending the last amount of wealth remaining with him, Dhrstabuddhi indulged in robbery in order to quench himself. Unfortunately, he was caught by the guards but was asked to instantly leave the kingdom bearing the reputation of his father.

With no hopes, he left for the forests. Here, he took up to killing animals to satiate his starvation. He continues to live with this lifestyle for years but was often reminded about his childhood and past ill deeds. One day, he arrives at the ashram of Sage Kaundinya where the holy atmosphere touched his heart. On his way from the bath, a few drops of water fell from the Sage on Dhrstabuddhi and hence, he instantly broke down into tears. He recited the whole story and enquired about annulling his sins and guilt. The sage advised him to observe the Mohini Ekadashi vrat that occurs in the month of Vaishakha. 

As directed, Dhrstabuddhi observed the fast and thus, was able to wash away all his sins. Thereafter, he turned into a true and loyal Vishnu devotee. Eventually, he started serving poor and ill people and finally, he was successful in attaining Moksha, or salvation.

2017 Date : 6th May.