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Padmini Ekadashi 2018: Vrat Katha, Timing and its importance

Padmini Ekadashi 2018: Vrat Katha, Timing and its importance

Padmini Ekadashi is a hindu fasting vrat which falls on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) during the Aadhik Masa or Mal Masa (extra month) of the Hindu calendar. This extra month which is a lunar month comes after every three years, according to the Vaisistha Sidhanta. And this year the Padmini Ekadashi falls on 25th May 2018. On this auspicious day Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped along with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Keeping fast is an important ritual of this day, where one must not eat any food or drink water. But if a person is unable to keep fast for the duration of the vrat they can eat fruits. The devotees who celebrate the vrat on this day worship Lord Vishnu to seek his divine blessings and ask for forgiveness for their sins. On Padmini Ekadashi reading Hindu religious books like ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ is considered very auspicious, the worshippers praise Lord Vishnu, perform bhajans and aartis. And they also visit temples of Lord Vishnu to perform and participate in the events held there.

Charity of food, money, clothes, fruits, sweets to the poor is another important ritual of the day, one must also donate food and clothes to Brahmins.

Important Timings On Padmini Ekadashi 2018:

Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 24-May-2018 18:18 PM

Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 25-May-2018 17:47 PM

Parana Time: 05:45 AM – 08:25 AM

Dwadashi Ends: 26-May-2018 17:40 PM

 

According to the ancient texts there is a story related to Padmini Ekadashi, the texts tells the story of King Kartaveerya who was a great king but he was childless despite having many wives. He consulted many astrologers, sages and saints, but none proved to be of help. Then he decided to retire to the forest followed by one of his wives Padmini and engage in severe penance seeking a son. In the forest they met Atri Maharshi and her wife Anusuya. Stating their problem to them Maharshi’s wife told them to praise Lord Vishnu. Padmini then sat out to observe the Padmini Ekadashi Vrat. On the tenth day she set up a decorated altar and installed an image of Lord Vishnu. On the Ekadashi day of the Mal Masa(extra month), she rose up early in the morning, took a holy bath, engaged in pujas of Lord Vishnu and began the fasting. Throughout the night she did bhajans and kept listening to the glories of Lord Vishnu. And on Dwadashi day (Twelfth) she once again performed an elaborate puja, invited a Brahmin to her hut and fed him with delicious meal. Once the charity and pujas were done she sat out to break the fast and distribute the Prasad (food offered to God and sanctified for the devotees’ consumption).

Happy with her devotion Lord Vishnu appeared in front of the couple and blessed them with a child who was named Karthaveeryarjuna, who could only be killed by Vishnu.

Since then the vrat is celebrated just as Padmini performed and it has become a popular vrat among the hindu community and they celebrate it with joy and devotion.

 

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Aman Kumar Singh

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