Ekadashi Vrat: Significance, Fasting Rituals, Dates, FAQs

In Hinduism, the Ekadashi Vrat, one of the most sacred observance, is marked with great reverence and adherence. All the major Puranas, like the Padma Puran, Narad Puran, Bhagavata Puran, etc., glorify the laurels of the Ekadashi Vrat. According to these ancient scriptures, this sacred vow is observed twice in a lunar month, falling on the eleventh day of both the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. As the moon waxes or wanes, devout souls immerse themselves in austere practices, fasting and engaging in spiritual disciplines. Believers forge a cosmic connection by honoring the prescribed Ekadashi Vrat rituals, inviting heavenly blessings and transcendent growth upon their sacred journey toward attaining Moksha (Release from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Important Timings On Ekadashi 2024

Significance

Within the annals of revered Hindu traditions, the Ekadashi Vrat stands as a pinnacle of spiritual observance, celebrated with fervor and devotion. Legends whisper of its profound significance, as on this sacred day, the celestial energies align in a harmonious symphony, offering a gateway to spiritual elevation. By embarking upon this austere fast, listening to and narrating the Vrat Katha, disciples seek to cleanse their beings, purging sins and embracing divine grace. This penance, undertaken with unwavering resolve, is believed to appease the celestial deity, Lord Vishnu, bestowing blessings, protection, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Ekadashi Vrat, an ancient path to enlightenment, beckons the devout to embark upon a transformative journey toward ultimate liberation.

Rituals

During the auspicious Ekadashi Vrat, the devout engage in a variety of sacred rituals as prescribed in the Puranas. Here are the rituals observed during this revered observance:

• Fasting: Disciples undertake a rigorous fast, abstaining from food and sometimes even water, from sunrise on Ekadashi day until morning on the following day of Dwadashi. The Ekadashi fasting begins with a single meal on the day of Dashami Tithi. This fasting lets the stomach be empty and clean for the Ekadashi Vrat. And the fasting ends with Parana on Dwadashi, making the Ekadashi vrat a three-day observance.
• Prayer and Chanting: Seekers immerse themselves in prayer, reciting hymns and mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Chanting the holy names is believed to invoke divine blessings.
• Vrat Katha: Adherents listen to and narrate sacred stories from the ancient Hindu Scriptures. The stories are primarily from the Padma Puran, which has the records of Lord Krishna describing the chronicles and the importance of all the Ekadashi fasts to King Yudhishthir.
• Meditation: The devotees practice deep meditation, seeking union with the divine. They strive to silence the mind, awaken the soul, and experience profound spiritual revelations.
• Charity and Acts of Compassion: Ekadashi is a time to extend kindness to others. Devotees engage in acts of charity, offering food, clothing, or shelter to the needy, thus embracing the spirit of selflessness.
• Sacred Baths and Pilgrimages: Some followers take holy baths in sacred rivers or visit revered pilgrimage sites associated with Lord Vishnu to seek blessings and purification.

The devout traverse a mystical path through these sacred rituals, unlocking celestial blessings and transcendent wisdom. Ekadashi Vrat stands as a beacon, guiding souls toward spiritual upliftment and divine communion.

FAQs

What is Parana Time?

When the sacred Ekadashi Vrat reaches its culmination, the mystical Parana Time descends upon the devout. Parana signifies the breaking of the fast observed during any Vrat. The Parana time for different Vrat has different rules. The conditions for the Parana time of Ekadashi Vrat are as follows:
1: The Parana must never be done while the Hari Vasara is ongoing.
2: The Pratahkaal (The first part of the total five parts of the time from Sunrise to Sunset) is the most preferred time for the Parana of Ekadashi Vrat.
3: If the Hari Vasara period is prevalent during the Pratah Kaal, or under any other circumstances, the devotees are unable to break the fast during the Pratah Kaal, then the Parana must be done only after the Madhyahna Kaal. It is inauspicious to break the fast in Madhyahna Kaal.

What is Hari Vasara?

In the ancient tongue of Sanskrit, Hari Vasara resonates as the divine time belonging to Vishnu (Hari: an epithet of Vishnu; Vasara: the cosmic hour). During the Ekadashi tithi, the sacred Hari Vasara unfolds, dedicated to the worshiping of Lord Vishnu. This holy time lasts until the first quarter of the Dwadashi tithi, then the Parana takes place, and the Ekadashi Vrat concludes.

What are Vaishnava Ekadashi and Smartha Ekadashi?

In ancient Hindu religion, Vaishnavas, or Bhagavatas, the esteemed order of devotees, hails Vishnu as the supreme Parmatma, the prime mover of existence. Conversely, the Smarthas venerate the five deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha. As Ekadashi is an exclusive homage to Lord Vishnu, it holds profound significance for the Vaishnava sect. Thus, they uphold the sanctity of Ekadashi by ensuring it remains untainted by the Dashami tithi.
Vaishnava Ekadashi: The Ekadashi tithi must start before Arunoday time. The period of Ninety-six minutes (4 Ghatis) before sunrise is called Arunoday.
Smartha Ekadashi: Ekadashi must be prevalent during Sunrise.

What to eat on Ekadashi Vrat?

As dictated by ancient scriptures, consuming food during Ekadashi vrat is forbidden. However, the exceptional Nirjala Ekadashi prohibits even water intake. Nevertheless, the revered text Dharma Sindhu presents guidelines on permissible food options for those unable to adhere to strict fasting. These options, ranked from most to least preferred, include Air (complete fast), Panchagavya (a blend of cow's milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung), Ghee (clarified butter), Water, Cow Milk, Sesame seeds, Fruits, Wheat Roti, and Plain Rice. According to the sacred scripture, the practitioner should partake in a single meal during fasting. These regulations guide devotees in observing Ekadashi, fostering spiritual purity and discipline.

What are the prohibitions of Ekadashi Vrat?

Ekadashi Vrat holds a position of utmost sanctity within Hindu customs as a profound fasting ritual. Devotees undertaking the three-day fast must adhere to specific guidelines and restrictions. Prohibitions include refraining from consuming food or beverages from Copper/Bronze utensils, abstaining from meat and lentils, avoiding daytime sleep, preventing overindulgence and excessive water intake, abstaining from eating twice, refraining from the company of the opposite gender, avoiding actions driven by personal gain, rejecting falsehoods and dishonesty, abstaining from split lentils and food from others, shunning gambling, oil usage, and the consumption of sesame seeds and betel leaf. These meticulously followed regulations ensure the purity and devoutness of Ekadashi Vrat, leading practitioners on a path of spiritual enlightenment and divine grace.

All Ekadashi dates in 2024

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