Papankusha Ekadashi is the Hindu fasting day that is dedicated to Lord Padmanabha personify Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha during the lunar Ashwani month. On the auspicious day of the Papankusha Ekadashi devotees keep fast for a day. And they do Parana after Ekadashi got over, Parana is the word given by Hindu mythology which means to break the fast. Ekadashi Parana is performed after sunrise on the next day of Ekadashi fast. On this day devotees worship Lord Padmanabha. The significance of this Ekadashi was explained by Lord Shiva to Dharmaraj Yudhishtir. It is called as Papankusha Ekadashi because the punyupi elephant was punished with a punyu by being silent on this day.
The Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days at times. Ekadashi is considered as one of the biggest fast and the prominent vows of the Ashwani month. Ekadashi is the two days festival that suggests fasting for two consecutive days. As per the Hindu myth, the Smartha with Family should observe fasting on the first day only. While the second day is advised for the Sanyasis, widows and for the person who wants Moksha. Papankusha Ekadashi marks by the devotees who want to show their love and affection towards Lord Vishnu. Also the fast and Puja on this day performed by the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Puja Vidhi
It is believed that the fasting on Papankusha Ekadashi makes the mind pure. And to perform fast and prayer on this day one should have to take bath early in the morning and worship Padmanabh Swaroop of Shri Hari today or tomorrow evening. For prayer pour the white sandal or gopi sandalwood on the head. Then offer flower, Panchamrit and Seasonal fruits to them. Also keep fast on this day and do Aarti before worshipping in the evening
