Rama Ekadashi: Parana Timing, Muhurats, Vrat Katha, Significance

Rama Ekadashi is one of the important ekadashi fasts observed in the Hindu culture. It falls on the ‘Ekadashi’ of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the Hindu month of ‘Kartik’. This date falls between the months of September to October in the English calendar.

While Rama Ekadashi is observed in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu lunar calendar, it falls in the month of ‘Puratassi’ on Tamil calendar. Besides in states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra it occurs during the Ashwayuj or Ashwin month.

Rama Ekadashi 2024 is on October 28, Monday

Ekadashi tithi timing: October 27, 5:24 am - October 28, 7:51 am

5 months and 28 days to go for the event

Rama Ekadashi comes after Papankusha ekadashi and is followed by Prabodhani ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi falls four days before the celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights. This ekadashi is also referred as ‘Rambha Ekadashi’ or ‘Kartik Krishna Ekadashi’. It is a popular conviction that Hindu devotees can wash away their sins by keeping a sacred fast on this day.

Important Timings On Rama Ekadashi 2024

Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Rama Ekadashi Vrat Katha Hindi

Yudhishthira inquired, "Oh Janardana, please tell me the name of the Ekadashi that falls in the dark half of Kartika, out of your favor and love for me."

Srikrsna responded, "O king of kings, I shall explain it to you. In the dark half of Kartika, there is a highly auspicious Ekadashi known as Rama Ekadashi. It holds great significance and can absolve great sins. Allow me to narrate its importance to you.

In the past, there was a king named Muchukunda. He had strong friendships with deities like Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, and Vibhishana. He was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu and a man of his word. His rule was characterized by the absence of troublemakers. In his royal household, a daughter named Chandrabhaga was born, resembling the excellent river Chandrabhaga. She was married to Shobhan, the son of Chandrasena.

Once, Shobhan visited his father-in-law's palace, and it happened to coincide with the auspicious Ekadashi day. As the day approached, Chandrabhaga faced a dilemma. She thought, 'O divine lord, what should I do? My husband is very frail and cannot endure hunger, and my father's rules are strict. On the tenth day, the guards in the kingdom beat drums and announce, 'Do not eat, do not eat on this sacred day dedicated to Lord Vishnu.' Upon hearing the drumbeats, Shobhan turned to his wife and said, 'My dear, what should I do? Please advise me, my beautiful one.'"

Candrabhaga responded, "My lord, today, no one in my father's house will consume any food. On Vishnu's sacred day, even elephants, horses, their offspring, and all other creatures are refrained from eating grass or drinking water. So, my dear one, how can human beings eat on this sacred day of Vishnu? My love, if you wish to have food, you will have to go someplace other than here, but if you stay here and eat anything, you will face criticism and will undoubtedly have to fast. Therefore, strengthen your resolve and keep this in mind."

Shobhan replied, "Dear one, your words are true. I shall indeed observe the fast today. Whatever is destined to happen will happen as it is."

With this determination, he began his fast. As hunger gnawed at his body, he grew increasingly distressed. The sun set in the western mountains, bringing joy to the devotees of Lord Vishnu who engaged in worship and vigil during the night. However, for Shobhan, the night was excruciating. As the sun rose, Shobhan passed away. King Muchukunda arranged for his royal cremation, and Chandrabhaga, as instructed by Shobhan earlier, did not give up her life by her husband's side. After performing the funeral rites, she stayed in her father's house.

O esteemed king, due to the potency of the Rama Ekadashi fast, Shobhan reached the enchanting divine city on the peak of Mount Mandara, a city adorned with countless virtues. It was graced with large houses featuring golden pillars, as well as precious gems, lapis lazuli, and various beautifully cut crystals.

Being praised by celestial musicians and attended to by celestial nymphs, Shobhan ascended the throne. He had a radiant white umbrella over his head, and chowries waved to cool him. He wore a crown, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. In that city, Shobhan shone as a great king among kings.

In the city of Muchukunda, there was a Brahmana named Somasarman, who happened to be wandering for a pilgrimage. Upon recognizing Shobhan as the king's son-in-law, he approached him. Shobhan, realizing that Somasarman had come, promptly rose from his seat and respectfully greeted the revered Brahmana. He inquired about the well-being of his father-in-law, the king, as well as his wife Chandrabhaga and the state of the city.

Somasarman replied, "O king, your father's house is in good health, Chandrabhaga is well, and there is prosperity throughout the city. But, please share your own story with me. This city is truly a marvel, unparalleled in its wonder and beauty. No one has ever seen such a remarkable place. O king, please explain to me: How did you come to possess it?"

Shobhan answered, "In the dark half of Kartika, there is the Ekadashi known as Rama Ekadashi. By observing a fast on that day, I gained control of this city. But the city is not stable and will crumble over time. O respected Brahmana, please do what is necessary to make it stable."

The Brahmana inquired, "O king of kings, why is the city unstable, and how can it be made stable? Tell me the facts, and I shall act accordingly."

Shobhan clarified, "O Brahmana, I observed this sacred vow without genuine faith. Therefore, I believe it to be unstable. Listen to what will make it stable. The beautiful Chandrabhaga is the daughter of King Muchukunda, both great devotees of Lord Vishnu. Share this account with her, and she will help the city regain its stability."

Krishna continued, "Upon hearing his words, the Brahmana travelled to Muchukunda's city and narrated the entire account to Chandrabhaga."

Somasarman added, "O auspicious one, I indeed saw your beloved husband. I also saw his invincible city, which resembled that of Lord Indra. He described it as unstable. Please take the necessary steps to make it stable."

Chandrabhaga replied, "O Brahmana-sage, take me with you to this city. I desire to see my husband. Through the merit of my vow, I will ensure the city's stability. Please guide us to reunite, for bringing together those who are separated yields great religious merit."

Upon hearing this, Somasarman accompanied Chandrabhaga to Vamadeva's hermitage near the Mandara mountain. Vamadeva attentively listened to the entire account they shared. He sanctified the radiant Chandrabhaga with Vedic hymns, sprinkling water over her. By the power of the sage's recitation and her observance of the Ekadashi vow on the sacred day of Lord Vishnu over the years, her body transformed into a divine state, filling her with great joy. With her eyes wide in delight, she approached her husband. Upon seeing his wife's arrival, Shobhan was overjoyed and invited her to sit beside him on his left.

Chandrabhaga then spoke these loving words to her husband, "Dear one, listen to these auspicious words: I have accrued religious merit ever since I completed my eighth year while living in my father's house. Since then, I have faithfully observed the Ekadashi vow as instructed in the Puranas. Through the power of this religious merit, the city will remain stable and rich with all desired blessings until the final deluge."

In this manner, they both enjoyed heavenly pleasures, possessing divine forms and adorned with celestial ornaments, finding happiness on the peak of Mount Mandara, all thanks to the power of the Rama Ekadashi vow.

This vow is comparable to a wish-fulfilling gem known as Chintamani or a wish-fulfilling cow, the Kamadhenu. O king, I have now described the Ekadashi known as Rama. You, the sinless one, have heard its complete significance. No distinction should be made between the significance of the two Ekadashi vows, one in the dark fortnight and one in the bright fortnight, as each is equally important for cleansing sins. Ekadashi, when observed, bestows joy and salvation upon individuals. Just as a white cow is like a black one in that their milk is similar, similarly, the two Ekadashis are said to yield similar rewards. A person who listens to the importance of Ekadashi vows is liberated from all sins and is honoured in the realm of Lord Vishnu.

Rituals of Rama Ekadashi:

Fasting is an important ritual on the day of Rama Ekadashi. This ritual starts from ‘dashami’, a day before the actual ekadashi. On this day too devotees refrain from certain foods and consume only ‘saatvik’ meal once, before sunset. On ekadashi, they do not eat at all. The end of the fasting ritual called as ‘Parana’ occurs on the ‘dwadashi’ tithi. Even for those not fasting, consuming rice and grains on any ekadashi is strictly prohibited.

On the day of Rama Ekadashi devotees get up early and take a holy bath in any water bodies. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with devotion on this day. Fruits, flowers, incense sticks and dhoop to Lord Vishnu. Devotees prepare a special ‘Bhog’ and offer it to their deity. An aarti is performed and then the ‘Prasad’ is distributed among the family members.

‘Rama’ is another name for Goddess Lakshmi. Therefore on this auspicious day, devotees also offer prayers to Devi Lakshmi along with Lord Vishnu to seek the blessings of prosperity, health and happiness.

The observer of the Rama Ekadashi fast maintains vigil all through the night. They contribute in the bhajans or kirtans organised on this day. Reading ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on this day is believed to be auspicious.

Significance of Rama Ekadashi:

According to the Hindu religious scriptures like ‘Brahma-Vaivarta Purana’, it is believed that one who observes the sacred Rama Ekadashi fast will be freed from all his/her sons, even those that are the same to killing a Brahmin. A person who hears the glories of Rama Ekadashi will attain salvation and reach the supreme abode of Sri Hari Vishnu. It is also believed that the merits of observing Rama Ekadashi are even more than performing 100 Rajasuya Yagyas or 1000 Ashvamedha Yagyas. By worshipping God Vishnu with devotion on the day of Rama Ekadashi, the person will be able to overcome all the obstacles in his/her life and achieve immense success.

Rama Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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