Why is Ekadashi so important in Vedic culture? Significance, dates-Everything you need to know about it
Ekadashi falls on the 11th lunar day of every shukla paksha and krishna paksha. It majorly follows the worship of Bhagwan Vishnu, the supreme deity of the Universe, by the Vaishnavas. Bhagwan Vishnu endows the person who keeps the Upvas with wealth and prosperity along with other worldly pleasures.
Legend of Ekadashi
Once a Demon called Murdanav tried to attack Vishnu, while he was in a deep meditation. While he was under attack, a beautiful woman named Ekadashi emerged from his mind. When Murdanav saw her, he immediately told her of his desire to marry her. Using her wits, Ekadashi said that she’ll only marry Murdanav if he defeats her on the battlefield. Murdanav lost the war. When Vishnu woke up, he praised Ekadashi for her valour and said that anyone who fasts on that day is destined to attain Moksh.
Significance of Ekadashi
The significance of Ekadashi was told to Yudhisthir by Bhagwan Vishnu himself. The primary focus of vrat is self discipline. The Upvas helps to not only cleanse the body but also the mind and soul. By fasting, we allow our digestive system to rest, detoxifying our bodies and promoting overall health. During a fast, we gain control over the mind and build resilience. This helps to purify the soul, to attain Moksha and leave the cycle of rebirth and death behind.
Ekadashi- Ways to do Puja
Ekadashi Vrat Pujan needs to be done in the following steps:
- Bath without soap
- Sit on an asan
- Perform abhishek of Bhagwan Vishnu with milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar
- Perform abhishek with haldi jal
- Perform Vishnu bhagwan Puja
- Offer tulsidal to Bhagwan Vishnu
- Read Vishnu sahastra path
- Offer yellow things to Bhagwan Vishnu
| Participate in online puja organised by VAMA (Get the puja done with your name and gotra) | |
| Name of Puja | Temple (Place) |
| Rin Mukti Puja | Rin Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple (Ujjain) |
| Mata Kamakhya Mahapuja | Mata Kamakhya Shakti Peeth (Guwahati) |
| Shani Sade Sati | Shani Shingnapur Devsthanam ,Maharashtra |
| Shri Lakshmi Kuber Mahayagya Aur Rudrabhishek | Jageshwar Kuber Mandir,Almora, Uttrakhand |
| Rahu Grah Shanti Puja | Jarkutinatheshwar Mahadev Temple,Prayagraj |
List of Ekadashi 2024
There are generally 24 Ekadashi’s in a year. The table below describes the ekadashis and when they fall in the year.
| Vedic lunar month | Presiding deity | Krishna paksha ekadashi | Shukla paksha ekadashi | 2024 Dates |
| Vaisakha ( April–May ) | Madhusudana (Vishnu) | Varuthini Ekadashi | Mohini Ekadashi | Varuthini Ekadashi:3-4 May Mohini Ekadashi: 18-19 May |
| Shravana ( July–August) | Sridhara | Kamika Ekadashi | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi | Kamika Ekadashi: 30-31 July Shravana Putrada Ekadashi: 15-16 August |
| Phalguna (February–March) | Govinda (Krishna) | Vijaya Ekadashi | Amalaki Ekadashi | Vaishnava Vijaya & Vijaya Ekadashi: 6-7 March (4 -5 March in some traditions) Amalaki Ekadashi: 20-21 March |
| Pausha (पौष, December–January) | Narayana (Vishnu/Krishna) | Saphala Ekadashi | Pausha Putrada Ekadashi/Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Saphala Ekadashi: 7-8 January (11 -12 January in Eastern Traditions) Pausha Putrada Ekadashi: 20-21 January |
| Margashirsha(Agrahayana)( November–December) | Keshava | Utpanna Ekadashi | Mokshada Ekadashi/Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Utpanna Ekadashi: 26-27 November Mokshada & Guruvayur(Vaikuntha) Ekadashi: 11-12 December |
| Magha ( January–February) | Madhava | Shattila Ekadashi | Bhaimi Ekadashi / Jaya Ekadashi | Shattila Ekadashi: 5-6 February Bhaimi/Jaya Ekadashi: 19-20 February |
| Kartik ( October–November) | Damodara | Rama Ekadashi | Prabodhini Ekadashi | Rama Ekadashi: 27-28 October Devutthana Ekadashi: 11-12 November |
| Jyeshtha ( May–June) | Trivikrama (Vishnu) | Apara Ekadashi | Nirjala Ekadashi | Vaishnava Apara & Apara Ekadashi: 2-3 June Nirjala Ekadashi: 17-18 June |
| Chaitra ( March–April) | Rama/Vishnu | Papavimocani Ekadashi | Kamada Ekadashi | Papmochani/Papavimocani Ekadashi: 4-5 April Kamada Ekadashi: 18-19 April (17-18 April in some traditions) |
| Bhadrapada(August–September) | Hrishikesha | Annada Ekadashi | Parsva Ekadashi | Aja (Annada) Ekadashi: 29-30 August Parsva Ekadashi: 13-14 September |
| Ashvina (September–October) | Padmanabha | Indra Ekadashi | Pasankusa Ekadashi | Indira (Indra) Ekadashi: 27-28 September Papankusha Ekadashi: 13-14 October |
| Ashada ( June–July) | Vamana | Yogini Ekadashi | Shayani Ekadashi | Yogini Ekadashi: : 1-2 July Devshayani (Shayani) Ekadashi: 16-17 July (15 -16 July in some traditions) |
| Adhika month( once in 2–3 years) | Purushottama | Padmini Vishuddha Ekadashi | Parama Shuddha Ekadashi |
Ekadashi Special Puja
You can also make use of this day to perform this Ekadashi special Shri Lakshmi Kuber Mahayagya Aur Rudrabhishek in the ancient Jageshwar Kuber Mandir, Almora
