The Name & The Importance of Ekadashis in Sanatan Dharma

What is Ekadashi, how many Ekadashi are there and what is their importance?

By Intimate Viewpoint

The term 'Ekadashi' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Ekadash', which means eleven. Ekadashi is the 11th day of a month in the lunar calendar. There are 24 ekadashi observed throughout the year. 

The types of Ekadashi and significance 

*Yogini Ekadashi, by observing this Ekadashi, the sins are destroyed and salvation occurs in the life.

*Mokshada Ekadashi falls on the 11th day in the lunar calendar. The day occurs in the waxing moon in the month of Margashirsha or Agrahayana. It is also known as Vaikuntha Ekadashi. 

*Amalaki Ekadashi, falls in the month of Falguna on the 11th day of the waxing moon. This Ekadashi celebrates the greatness of Lord Vishnu.

*Putrada Ekadashi, falls on the 11th day of the bright half of the lunar calendar. This day is observed to gain children.

*Satilla Ekadashi is also known as Tilda Ekadashi. This day is significant for the sesame seeds. The devotees donate sesame seeds or foods that include sesame seeds. Lord Madhusudhana or Vishnu is worshipped on this day.

*Jaya Ekadashi is observed by keeping fasting all day long. The devotees consume only milk and fruits.

*Vijaya Ekadashi is observed strictly, devotees consume the Niramish Bhojan 'food without containing onion and garlic'. The devotees worshiped Lord Krishna or Govinda on this day. 

*Papmochani Ekadashi falls in the month of Chaitra in the lunar calendar. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and consume milk, fruits, and Satvik bhojan. Kheer, Til-laddu, etc. are offered to Lord Vishnu.

* Kamada Ekadashi occurs at the beginning of the Hindi New Year. On this day, devotees observe a fast and worship Lord Vishnu. This Ekadashi helps to protect the devotees from all curses.

* Varuthini Ekadashi, on this day a devotee observes a fast from dawn to the next day morning. Donating cereals, pulses, and other things to Bramhans are most significant. This Ekadasi falls in the month of May.

*Opara Ekadashi falls in the month of Jyashtha in the lunar calendar or in the month of May-June in the Gregorian calendar. Lord Trivikrama or Vishnu is worshipped on this day.

*Kamika Ekadashi falls in the month of Shravana in the lunar calendar or in the month of July-August in the Gregorian Calendar. Lord Sridhara is worshipped on this day.

*Annda Ekadashi is observed in the month of Bhadrapada or in August-September. Lord Rishikesh is worshipped on this day.

*Indra Ekadashi is observed in the month of Ashwin in the Looner calendar. Lord Padmanabha (lord Vishnu) is worshipped on this day.

*Rama Ekadashi is observed in the month of Kartik in the lunar calendar or in October in the Gregorian Calendar. Lord Damodara (Vishnu) is worshipped on this Ekadashi.

*Utpanna Ekadashi falls in the month of Margashirsha (Agrahayana) in the lunar calendar or in November-December in the Gregorian Calendar. Lord Keshava (lord Krishna, a form of lord Vishnu) is worshipped on this day.

*Saphala Ekadashi falls on the month of Pausha in the lunar calendar or in December. Lord Narayana (Vishnu) is worshipped on this day.

*Padmini Vishuddha Ekadashi falls once in 2-3 years. Lord Purusottam or Rama is worshipped on this day.

*Mohini Ekadashi falls in the Shukla paksha of the month of Vaishak or in April-May. Lord Madhusudana (Vishnu) is worshipped on this day.

*Nirjala Ekadashi falls in the Shukla paksha of the month of Jyeshtha or in May-June. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day.

*Parsva Ekadashi falls in the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada or in September. Lord Rishikesh is worshipped on this day. It is also known as Parivartini Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is believed to be shifted from his left to right side. 

*Pasankusa Ekadashi falls in the Shukla paksha of Ashwin or in September-October in the Gregorian calendar. Lord Padmanabha or Vishnu is worshipped on this day.

*Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi falls in the Shukla Paksha of Kartik or in October-November in the Gregorian calendar. Lord Damodara (Vishnu) is worshipped on this day.