Ekadashi (Sanskrit: एकादशी, ekādaśī, "eleven"), also spelled as Ekadasi, is the eleventh (11th) lunar day (Tithi) of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In Hinduism and Jainism it is considered a spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day prior to Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.[citation needed]
Two Ekadashis occur in one month according to different positions of moon. One Ekadashi also coincides with the times when the Moon is the closest to Earth (perigee) and the times when it is farthest from the Earth (apogee) . These are also the times of high tide and low tide respectively. During Ekadashis in the Krishna paksha, the Moon is at its closest to the Earth and during Ekadashis in the Shukla paksha at its farthest from the Earth.
Bhagavata Purana (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu.
[edit] List of Ekadashis
The table below describes the various Ekadashis and when they fall in the year.
| Vedic (Lunar) and Vaishnava Month |
Krishna paksha Ekadashi name |
Shukla paksha Ekadashi name |
| Chaitra (चैत्र), Vishnu (March - April) |
Papamochani Ekadashi |
Kamada Ekadashi |
| Vaisakha (वैशाख), Madhusudana (April - May) |
Varuthini Ekadashi |
Mohini Ekadashi |
| Jyeshta (ज्येष्ठ), Trivikrama (May - June) |
Apara Ekadashi |
Pandava Ekadashi |
| Ashaad (आषाढ), Vaamana (June - July) |
Yogini Ekadashi |
Shayani Ekadashi |
| Shraavana (श्रावण), Sridhar (July - August) |
Kamika Ekadashi |
Pavitropana Ekadashi |
| Bhadrapada (भाद्रपद), Hrisikesha (August - September) |
Ananda Ekadashi |
Parsva Ekadashi |
| Ashvin (अश्विन्), Padmanabha (September - October) |
Indira Ekadashi |
PApankushA Paashunkushaa Ekadashi |
| Adika month (once in 2–3 years) |
Parama Ekadashi |
Padmini Visuddha EkAdasii |
| Kartik (कार्तिक), Damodara (October - November) |
Rama Ekadashi |
Prabodhini Ekadashi |
| Margashirsha (Agrahayana) (मार्गशीर्ष), Keshava (November - December) |
Utpanna Ekadashi |
Mokshada Ekadasi (Vaikuntha ekadasi Sri Rangam) |
| Pausha (पौष), Naaraayana (December - January) |
Saphala Ekadashi |
Putrada Ekadashi |
| Maagha (माघ), Maadhava (January - February) |
Sat TilA Ekadashi |
Bhaimi Ekadashi |
| Phalguna (फाल्गुन), Govinda (February - March) |
Vaikunta Ekadasi |
Amalaki Ekadashi |
[edit] Ekadashi Calculation
Ekadashi is different for Vaishnavites and Shankarites(Advaitis). Whether Ekadashi is today, yesterday or tomorrow is to be determined. (Rules need to be included here by a Panchang Karta from Dharma Sindhu and Nirnaya Sindhu).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
