Rama Ekadasi

• It falls on the ‘Ekadashi’ of the Krishna Paksha during the month of ‘Kartik’.
• It generally falls in the month of October-November.
• While Rama Ekadashi is observed in the month of Kartik according to the North Indian calendar, it falls in the month of ‘Puratassi’ as per the Tamilian calendar.
• Besides in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra it occurs during the ‘Ashwayuj’ month. It is even observed in the month of ‘Ashwin’ in some parts of the country.
• It falls four days before the celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights.
• It is a popular conviction that Hindu devotees can wash away their sins by keeping a sacred fast on this day.
• It is also mentioned in ‘Brahma-Vaivarta Purana’.
• It is believed that one who observes the sacred vrat will be freed from all his/her sins, even those that are the same as killing a Brahmin.
• A person who hears the glories of Rama Ekadashi will attain salvation and reach the supreme abode of Sri Hari Vishnu.
• It is also believed that the merits of observing Rama Ekadashi are more than performing 100 Rajasuya Yagyas or 1000 Ashvamedha Yagyas.
• By worshipping God Vishnu with devotion on the day of Rama Ekadashi, the person can overcome all the obstacles in his/her life and achieve immense success.
• On this along with Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped.

Things to do :

• On this day devotees get up early and take a holy bath
• Fasting is an important ritual on this day or one should eat satwik food.
• Even for those not fasting, consuming rice and grains on any Ekadashi is strictly prohibited.
• The observer of this vrat will do Jagaran on this day.
• They contribute to the bhajans or kirtans organized on this day.
• Reading ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on this day is believed to be auspicious.

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2024 date: October 28.