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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 (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''' ([[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.

Revision as of 15:02, 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.

Vedic (Lunar) Month Krishna paksha Ekadashi name Shukla paksha Ekadashi name Julian calendar
Chaitra (चैत्र) Papamochani Ekadashi Kamada Ekadashi March - April
Vaisakha (वैशाख) Varuthini Ekadashi Mohini Ekadashi April - May
Jyeshta (ज्येष्ठ) Apara Ekadashi Pandava Ekadashi May - June
Ashaad (आषाढ) Yogini Ekadashi Shayani Ekadashi June - July
Shraavana (श्रावण) Kamika Ekadashi Pavitropana Ekadashi July - August
Bhadrapada (भाद्रपद) Ananda Ekadashi Parsva Ekadashi August - September
Ashwin (अश्विन्) Indira Ekadashi PApankushA Paashunkushaa Ekadashi September - October
Adika month (once in 2-3 years) Parama Ekadashi Padmini Visuddha EkAdasii -
Kartik (कार्तिक) Rama Ekadashi Prabodhini Ekadashi October - November
Margashirsha (Agrahayana) (मार्गशीर्ष) Utpanna Ekadashi Mokshada Ekadasi (Vaikuntha ekadasi Sri Rangam) November - December
Pausha (पौष) Saphala Ekadashi Putrada Ekadashi December - January
Maagha (माघ) Sat TilA Ekadashi Bhaimi Ekadashi January - February
Phalguna (फाल्गुन) Vaikunta Ekadasi Amalaki Ekadashi February - March

See also