Ekadashi 2023: Significance, rituals and dates

Ekadashi holds great significance in the Hindu religion. The fast is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu on this auspicious day. Ekadashi falls twice in a month, which means total of 24 Ekadashi falls in a year. People who follow Iskcon or are Vaishnavas consider the day very auspicious. Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, according to Hindu panchang.

Anyone who is a devotee of Lord Vishnu can observe fast irrespective of age, gender and cast. It is believed that one who observes fast with complete devotion gets blessed with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. At last, they get salvation and go to Vaikunth dham or Vishnu dham, an adobe of Lord Vishnu.

Rituals one can follow on Ekadashi

• Wake up early in the morning, and take a bath before going ahead with rituals.
• It is also said that devotees should not use soap or body wash especially on Ekadashi.
• Clean the temple in the house and idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi.
• Lighten up diya, offer sweets, panchamarit and tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu. It is prohibited to pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi, so devotees can pluck them a day before.
• One can chant ‘Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya’
• Eating rice on this is prohibited, according to Hindu mythology.
• Break your fast after bhog and prayer in the evening with satvik food, fruits and milk.

Dates of Ekadashi that will fall in the second half of 2023:

• July 13, 2023, Thursday: Kamika Ekadashi
• July 29, 2023, Saturday: Padmini Ekadashi
• August 12, 2023, Saturday: Parama Ekadashi
• August 27, 2023, Sunday: Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
• September 10, 2023, Sunday: Aja Ekadashi
• September 25, 2023, Monday: Parsva Ekadashi
• October 10, 2023, Tuesday: Indira Ekadashi
• October 25, 2023, Wednesday: Papankusha Ekadashi
• November 9, 2023, Thursday: Rama Ekadashi
• November 23, 2023, Thursday: Devutthana Ekadashi
• December 8, 2023, Friday: Utpanna Ekadashi
• December 22, 2023, Friday: Mokshada Ekadashi