Significance of Ekadashi

This post has been very long due. For all Vishnu bakthas Ekadashi is a very special day. In my early 

days of my life as kid, I will be very exited for Mohini Ekadashi. At those days, I was aware of only 

Mohini Ekadashi, the reason is, it falls in apr - may timeframe of the year which is usally annual holidays of school period. During those vacation period, I will be in my native Kanchipuram and we have a temple near to our house where we usually go around 1 PM in the afternoon to see Mohini Avatara of Lord Perumal after which we get puliyodharai and curd rice as prasadam. 

But there is lots and lots of significance for Ekadashi and its vratas. Some of the regular visitors to my blog will be wondering why I am posting this in a blog which is very specific to Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy. 

Before our Guru's Brindavan Prevesha, Guru spoke few words to the bakthas and during the speech our beloved Baghavan mentioned the following

"Another facet of right living is performing right rituals and observing fasts. Fasting on Ekadashi is compulsory for everyone. Both men and women belonging to all walks of life have to observe this. Those who give up this will always have the doors of the Lord’s home closed. This is what the shastras declare."

Hence I wanted to have this post in my blog.

In a month, we will have 2 Ekadashi's. One is call Sukla Pakshi Ekadashi and other one is called Krishna Pakshi Ekadashi. This is determined by moon's position. When the moon is closest to earth it is called Krishna Paksha Ekadashi and when the moon is far away from the earth, it is called sukla paksha Ekadashi.  During Adikka masa there will be 3 Ekadashi's in a month. ( Adikka masa will come once in 3 years and infact in 2012 we have Adika masa )

In Mantralaya during Ekadashi, the moola brindavan will not be decorated and there will not be any neivedya to our Baghavan. Only on Dwadashi, next day, there will be Neivedya for our Baghavan. 

Usually during Ekadashi, key vrata is not to take any food and water for 24 hrs and finish the Ekadashi vrata on Dwadashi ( next day ).

The priests who are in Mantralaya will not even speak and will be on Mouna Vrata during Ekadashi's

Each and every Ekadashi has its own name and significance. There are different benefits for each Ekadashi and overall fasting on Ekadashi will destroy and free everyone from their sins.

Lord Vishnu granted this boon to Ekadashi and hence this vrata has so significance. 

In my next post, I will include more details on who Ekadashi is and why Lord Vishnu granted this boon ...

For now lets try to fast during Ekadashi's. Mantralayam has developed an panchanga app and maintain a website which lists the Ekadashi Vrata days. You can also follow this link for 2012 Ekadashi vrata dates.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]