Utthana Ekadasi November 6 2011

Utthana Ekadasi, or Prabodhini Ekadashi, is observed during the waxing phase of moon in the month of Kartik (October – November). In 2011, the date of Utthana Ekadasi or Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi is November 6. The importance of Dev Prabodhini Ekadasi narrated to Sage Narada by Brahma. The divine conversation is found in the Skanda Purana. Observing this Ekadasi is believed to help in getting rid of the guilt associated with sins committed and is also a path to liberation (Moksha). Ekadasi is an important fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The famous Tulsi Vivah festival is performed on the day by some communities and also on the day after Ekadasi in some regions. The Chatur Mas period also ends with Prabodhini Ekadashi. The famous Kartik Month Pandarpur Yatra also concludes on the day.

All the normal rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day.

Utthana Ekadasi, which falls in the Kartik month, is considered highly auspicious by Lord Vishnu devotees. Staunch Vishnu devotees observe a rigid fast on the day by skipping food and staying awake during night. Majority of the people take one meal mostly in the evening and visit shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

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Rama Ekadasi Vrat Katha – The story associated with Rama Ekadashi Fasting

Rama Ekadasi is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of September/October. The importance of the fast and the story associated it with was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna. People observing the fast read or listen to the Rama Ekadasi Vrat Katha. It is said that this Ekadasi is a wish fulfilling one.

Legend has it that there lived a powerful and famous king named Muchukunda. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and his kingdom was famous through out the world.

King Muchukunda had a daughter named Chandrabhaga, she was married to Prince Shobhana. Once, the newly married prince and princess visited Muchukunda. It was during the Ekadasi period and Princess Chandrabhaga was worried as Prince Shobhana was weak and could not bear hunger so he will not be able to observe Ekadasi fasting. King Muchukunda was strict about observing Ekadasi fasting.

So Princess Chandrabhaga asked the prince to return back to his kingdom. But Prince Shobhana wanted to observe the Ekadasi fasting.

All the people in the kingdom including the Prince started observing the fast. At night all the people kept vigil. Prince Shobhana could not bear the hunger and thirst and died during the course of the night.

Due to the influence of observing Rama Ekadasi, Prince Shobhana became the king of Devapura – kingdom of celestial beings – and the city was located atop the Mandara Mountain. But the kingdom was a temporary one as the Prince had only observed the Ekadasi fasting once.

Once a learned saint from the land of King Muchukunda visited Shobhana. The Prince was happy to receive the saint and to hear about his wife. Then Shobhana told the saint that he needed the help of his wife to make his temporary kingdom permanent as she was always observing Ekadasi fasting and she has the power to do it.

The saint went to the Princess and told about her husband, Shobhana, and his new Kingdom. Princess Chandrabhaga wanted to meet her husband and for this she took the help of Sage Vamadeva who was residing in theMandara Mountain. Soon she was transported to the temporary celestial kingdom of her husband. Due to the power of observing Rama Ekadasi the kingdom became permanent and royal couple became celestial beings.

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Rama Ekadasi 2011 October 23

Rama Ekadasi is observed on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha or waning phase of moon in September/October. Rama Ekadasi 2011 date is October 23. The corresponding moon in traditional North Indian calendar is Kartik month. In other regions it is Ashwin month and in Tamil culture it is the Puratassi month. It is believed that by observing Rama Ekadashi one can wash away all sins committed.

The popular story associated with Rama Ekadashi is that of a prince who in spite of his physical weakness performed the Ekadasi ritual and got benefits of it during his next life.

Ekadashi is an important day dedicated to Lord Vishnu in a Hindu lunar month and it occurs twice in a month. The significance of Rama Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is recorded in the Brahmavaivarta Purana.

All the usual rules associated with Ekadasi fasting is observed during Rama Ekadashi. Grains and rice are avoided on the day by devotees observing fast.

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