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{{Unreferenced|date=July 2010}}
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2010}}
'''Ekadashi''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] for eleven; also spelled as '''Ekadasi''') or '''Agyaars''' is the eleventh 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) [[fasting|fast]] from sunset on the day prior to Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}
'''Ekadashi''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] for eleven; also spelled as '''Ekadasi''') or '''Agyaars''' '''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) [[fasting|fast]] from sunset on the day prior to Ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following Ekadashi.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}


Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by [[Vaishnavas]], although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day strict fasting is observed, with abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices.
Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by [[Vaishnavas]], although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day strict fasting is observed, with abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices.


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.
Two Ekadashis occur in one month according to different positions of moon (when moon is growing and when it is descending). 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]].
[[Bhagavata Purana]] (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by [[Ambarisha]], a devotee of [[Vishnu]].

Revision as of 14:38, 20 August 2010

Ekadashi (Sanskrit for eleven; also spelled as Ekadasi) or Agyaars 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]

Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by Vaishnavas, although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day strict fasting is observed, with abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices.

Two Ekadashis occur in one month according to different positions of moon (when moon is growing and when it is descending). 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.

List of Ekadashis

The table below describes the various Ekadashis and when they fall in the year.

Ekadashi Month Vedic Month Julian
Saphala Ekadashi Pausha Krishna Paksh Dec - Jan
Putrada Ekadashi Pausha Shukla Paksh Dec - Jan
Sat TilA Ekadashi Magha Krishna Paksh Jan - Feb
Bhaimi Ekadashi Magha Shukla Paksh Jan - Feb
Vaikunta Ekadasi Phalgun Krishna Paksh Feb - Mar
Amalaki Ekadashi Phalgun Shukla Paksh Feb - Mar
Papamochani Ekadashi Chaitra Krishna Paksh Mar - Apr
Kamada Ekadashi Chaitra Shukla Paksh Mar - Apr
Varuthini Ekadashi Vaisakh Krishna Paksh Apr - May
Mohini Ekadashi Vaisakh Shukla Paksh Apr - May
Apara Ekadashi Jyeshtha Krishna Paksh May - Jun
Pandava Ekadashi Jyeshtha Shukla Paksh May - Jun
Yogini Ekadashi Ashaad Krishna Paksh Jun - Jul
Shayani Ekadashi Ashaad Shukla Paksh Jun - Jul
Kamika Ekadashi Shravan Krishna Paksh Jul - Aug
Pavitropana Ekadashi Shravan Shukla Paksh Jul - Aug
Ananda Ekadashi Bhadrapad Krishna Paksh Aug - Sep
Parsva Ekadashi Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh Aug - Sep
Indira Ekadashi Ashwin Krishna Paksh Sep - Oct
Padmini Visuddha EkAdasii Purushottam Shukla Paksh Adikamas
Parama Ekadashi Purushottam Krishna Paksh Adikamas
PApankushA Paashunkushaa Ekadashi Ashwin Shukla Paksh Sep - Oct
Rama Ekadashi Kartik Krishna Paksh Oct - Nov
Prabodhini Ekadashi Kartik Shukla Paksh Oct - Nov
Utpanna Ekadashi Margasirsha Krishna Paksh Nov - Dec
Mokshada Ekadasi (Vaikuntha ekadasi Sri Rangam) Margasirsha Shukla Paksh Nov - Dec

See also

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