Ekadashi
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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) 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 |
| Ashwin (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 |
See also
External links
 | This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (July 2010) |
- Why to fast on Ekadashi - its significance. Short audio clip in Kannada
- Ekadashi Dates & its Importance Stories(Mahaatmya)
- Ekadashi Vrat Kathas in Hindi at Indif.Com
- Ekadasi - background, references, etc. (Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition)
- Vedic Calendar Program (freeware) Calculates Ekadasis (and other dates) for any location in the world.
- Pushtimarg Ekadashi Calendar
- Ekadasi Calendar by Sri Narasingha Chaitanya Matha
- Panchanga / panchangam for your city
- Ekadashi Dates & Mahatmya
- Ekadashi dates for the year
- Ekadashi Stories
- Panchang for the world to find out ekadashi dates for your city
- Why Can't I use Indian Panchangam abroad (Ekadashi dates in Indian panchangam will differ in abroad )
- The Inner Meaning of Ekadasi by Swami Tripurari
