Devotees of Lord Vishnu across the globe are gearing up to observe Parsva Ekadashi, also known as Parivartini Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi, Vamana Ekadashi, and Jhal Jhulni Ekadashi.This significant religious event falls on September 25, 2023, in accordance with the Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Ekadashi Tithi of the Hindu Calendar. This auspicious day is marked by fasting, prayers, and profound spiritual contemplation as Hindus express their reverence for the divine.
What makes the upcoming Parsva Ekadashi on September 25, 2023, particularly noteworthy is that the Ekadashi Tithi will commence after the conclusion of the Arunoday period. Arunoday time, which spans 96 minutes or precisely 4 Ghatis before sunrise, is a significant interval for Ekadashi Vrat. Within Hinduism, the Vaishnavas, a sect venerating Lord Vishnu/Lord Krishna as the supreme personality of Godhead, are dedicated to preserving the sanctity of Ekadashi, ensuring it remains uncontaminated by the Dashami Tithi, the tenth day of the lunar fortnight.
However, this year presents a unique scenario where a portion of Dashami Tithi will overlap with the day of Ekadashi. As a result, Vaishnavas will observe the Parsva Ekadashi fast on the subsequent day, September 26, 2023, to maintain purity and adherence to the Ekadashi observance. This Ekadashi Vrat is known as Vaishnava Parsva Ekadashi or Bhagavata Parsva Ekadashi.
Parsva Ekadashi, also known as Vamana Ekadashi, holds a special place in the hearts of the devout Hindus, especially the Vaishnav sect of Hinduism. It is mentioned in the Puranas to be the day when Lord Vishnu, in his Hrishikesh form, is particularly propitiated. On this day, devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise (6:20 AM) to the next day's sunrise (6:20 AM), which spans the Ekadashi Tithi from 7:56 AM on September 25 to 5:01 AM on September 26.
Hari Vasara, the period dedicated to the reverence of Lord Vishnu during Ekadashi, will end on September 26 at 10:12 AM. This moment marks the culmination of 24 hours of fasting. It is accompanied by fervent devotional activities like chanting Vishnu mantras and listening to and reciting Parsva Ekadashi Vrat Kathas mentioned in the Puranas like the Padma Purana and Brahma Vaivarta Purana.
The Parana time, or the time to consume the ceremonial meal to break the fast, will be from 1:29 PM to 3:53 PM on September 26. This meal is an essential part of the Ekadashi observance, symbolizing the conclusion of the fast.
The significance of Parsva Ekadashi extends beyond fasting and rituals. It also coincides with Vaman Jayanti, the celebration of Lord Vishnu's Vamana Avatar, which falls on September 26, 2023. Devotees commemorate the birth of Lord Vamana, who embodies humility and righteousness.
Parsva Ekadashi is a day of unwavering devotion, self-purification, and spiritual awakening for Hindus worldwide. It serves as a reminder of the profound teachings and divine grace of Lord Vishnu, inspiring countless individuals to deepen their connection with the divine. (The mentioned timings are in IST, for Ujjain. Click here to change the location.)