Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi

The Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi or the Padmini Visuddha Ekadashi as it is popularly known is a fasting day for Vaishnavas during the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) in the ‘Adika’ maas of the Vaishnava calendar. Even for Samarth’s this ekadashi is observed during the leap month of the Hindu calendar. ‘Adika’ or ‘Adhika’ maas is an extra month that occurs once in every 2-3 years. The Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi is one of the most powerful ekadashis of the year as it falls during the leap month, which is considered very sacred in the Hindu lunar calendar. The name of this ekadashi is dedicated in the honour of a Hindu king wife, who was known for her devotion towards her husband and who also worshipped Lord Vishnu with dedication and ultimately fulfilled her desire for parenthood. It is a strong belief that a person who fulfils all the requirement of the Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi will win favours from Lord Vishnu and will be welcomed to His kingdom, ‘Vaikunth’ in the afterlife. Vaishnavism followers in all parts of the country, observe Padmini Ekadashi vrat with full fervour and perseverance.

There is no Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi in 2024

Lord Vishnu

Rituals during Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi:

• Fasting for the Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi begins from the 10th day, ‘dashami’ and the observer of this vrat eats a single meal before sunset. The person maintains celibacy and sleeps on the ground. The fast continues all through the ekadashi till the sunrise of the next day. while fasting the person should speak only truth and stay away from sinful activities.
• On the day of Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi devotees worship idol of Lord Vishnu. The idol is first given a bath with ‘Panchamrit’ and beautifully adorned in clothes and jewelry. Several offerings in the form of flowers, dhoop, incense sticks and sweets are made to the lord. An ‘aarti’ is done at the end and the prasad is distributed among friends and families. Devotees chant Lord Vishnu’s mantras all through the day and later visit the temples in the evening.
• Just like other ekadashi, on Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi, eating of rice, grains or pulses is strictly prohibited. Even prasad made using rice is not consumed on the same day. however eating rice on the next day, ‘dwadashi’ is extremely good.
• Charity is an important event on any ekadashi day. on Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi one must give away food grains, clothes, expensive metals, money or other essentials to poor and needy.

Significance of Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi:

The day of Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi holds great implications for Hare Krishna followers. On this day devotees worship Lord Krishna with complete love and affection to seek His divine blessings for a prosperous life. As this ekadashi observance comes once in 36 months it is bestowed with special powers and held more sacred than the other ekadashi observances. It is believed that one who performs the Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi vrat and katha religiously will be granted fulfilment of all his/her wishes and ultimately seek salvation. Also as per the findings of the Vedic astrologers, the day of Vaishnava Padmini Ekadashi is very auspicious for buying gold.