Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi

The Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi is one of the sacred fasting day for Vaishnavas that falls on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the dark fortnight of moon) of the ‘Madhusudana’ month in the Vaishnava calendar. In the Hindu lunar calendar, this ekadashi is observed during the month of ‘Vaisakha’ whereas in the English calendar the date falls between the months of April-May. The Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi however falls in the ‘Chaitra’ month according to the Amavasyant calendar followed in the Southern states of India.

The Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi also known as ‘Baruthani Ekadashi’ is considered to be one of the most magnanimous and propitious day that bestows material enjoyment of all forms to its observer. A person observing a vrat on this day will seek forgiveness for all sins and even be rewarded with good fortune and never-ending happiness. Not only this, the ultimate power of Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi is in granting ‘moksha’ that is freedom from the cycle of re-birth and death.

There is no Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi in 2024

Lord Vishnu

Rituals during Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi:

• Fasting on Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi is believed to be highly rewarding for Hare Krishna followers. The rituals start right from the previous day ‘dashami’ and the observer of this vrat eat selective meal once before sunset. Eating on bell metal plates is also not allowed on this day. This is done to make sure no traces of food are left in the stomach on the ekadashi day.
• On ekadashi, devotees do not eat anything or even take a sip of water all day. However if someone cannot keep a strict vrat, partial fasting or even fasting from morning till sunset is also allowed. While keeping the fast, the person should not sleep during the daytime and stay away from sinful thoughts and actions. It is popular belief that one who stays awake all night chanting religious hymns on ekadashi will gain freedom from all their sins.
• Ekadashi is meant for spiritual attainment and therefore the day is spent chanting mantras or singing bhajans in praise of Lord Vishnu. Devotees worship Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu, on this day and make several offerings to their beloved deity. It is also important to visit temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening and witness the celebrations of the day.
• Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi vrat is broken next day on ‘dwadashi’ (12th day) after praying to Lord Vishnu and offering food and money to some respectful Brahmins.

Significance of Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi:

The greatness and glories of Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi finds mention in several religious scriptures like ‘Bhavishya Purana’ in the form of conversation between Sri Krishna and King Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas. Various Maharajas observed this sacred fast and obtained uncountable benefits. The merits of the Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi outpowers all kinds of charities including ‘Kanyadaan’ that is believed to be most pious of all the ‘daans’. The word ‘Varuthini’ in Hindi signifies ‘protected or armoured’ and hence by observing a religious vrat on Vaishnava Varuthini Ekadashi a person will be shielded from all the evils and misfortunes and in the end gain good fortune.