2021 Parsva Ekadashi

Parsva Ekadashi - Rituals and Significance

Parsva Ekadashi is regarded as one of the most auspicious and virtuous festivities which takes place on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of Bhadrapada month in the Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this auspicious festival falls in the month of either August or September.

The celebration of this Hindu festival takes place during ‘Dakshinayana Punyakalam’ which represents the night time of the deities. Parsva Ekadashi when falls at the time of ‘Chaturmas’ period is regarded as highly fortunate and auspicious. As per the Hindu beliefs, it denotes the period of time duration when Lord Vishnu was taking rest and took a right shift in the position from the left side. Thus, it is also called as the ‘Parsva Parivartini Ekadashi’. At some particular places, on this festival, Lord Vamana is worshipped who is regarded as the incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu.

Parsva Ekadashi Fast

The fast of Parsva Ekadashi is observed with great enthusiasm and immense devotion across various parts of the country. It is also popularly celebrated as ‘Parivartini’, ‘Jaljhulini Ekadashi’ and ‘Vamana Ekadashi’ in different regions of India. According to the Hindu mythology, the devotees who observe a Parsva Ekadashi Vrat are granted forgiveness for all their past sins and are blessed with the virtuous and divine blessings of the deity Vishnu who is the preserver of the Universe.

What is the significance of Parsva Ekadashi?

Parsva Ekadashi Vrat is being observed by the devotees since ages. As per the Hindu beliefs, it is regarded that the devotees who observe this fast with dedication are bestowed with good health, wealth and happiness. The most significant aspect of this Vrat is that it relieves the observer from his or her past sins and also liberate the devotees from the cycle of death and birth. By keeping a fast on this auspicious day, the individuals get benefited with high spiritual gains as well as it also supports in strengthening the willpower of the observers.

Parsva Ekadashi is regarded as the most auspicious and supreme Ekadashi among all because of it falls in the Chaturmas. The various rituals performed during this time and the virtues (Punyas) accumulated possess high value in comparison with rituals performed in other months. In the ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’, the significance of Parsva Ekadashi has been highlighted in the form of an in-depth conversation held between King Yudhisthira and Lord Krishna.

What are the rituals of Parsva Ekadashi?

• On the eve of Parsva Ekadashi, the devotees usually observe a Parsva Ekadashi Vrat.
• The fast is observed for a time duration of 24 hours which starts from Sunrise of Ekadashi to the Dwadashi tithi. In the milder form of the fast, the devotees consume one meal but it should be before sunrise.
• The devotees conclude the fast after giving food to the Brahmins and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
• On the eve of Parsva Ekadashi, the devotees, as well as the other individuals, are not allowed to cook and eat beans, rice, and grains.
• The observers are also required to recite Mantras and sing bhajans in order to please Lord Vishnu. Reading of ‘Vishnu Sahasranaam’ is considered as highly auspicious on this day.

See Also: Ekadashi Mata Aarti

Ekadashi Fasting Days

Apart from Parsva Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi Vrat in a year that fall on Krishna and Shukla Paksha of Hindu Calendar. All these Ekadashi tithi are very significant in Hindu traditions and are popular with various Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi Vrat observed throughout the year.

S. N.	Hindu Month	Paksha	Ekadashi Vrat
1	Chaitra	Krishna Paksha	Papmochani Ekadashi
2	Chaitra	Shukla Paksha	Kamada Ekadashi
3	Vaishakha	Krishna Paksha	Varuthini Ekadashi
4	Vaishakha	Shukla Paksha	Mohini Ekadashi
5	Jyeshtha	Krishna Paksha	Apara Ekadashi
6	Jyeshtha	Shukla Paksha	Nirjala Ekadashi
7	Ashadha	Krishna Paksha	Yogini Ekadashi
8	Ashadha	Shukla Paksha	Devshayani Ekadashi
9	Shravana	Krishna Paksha	Kamika Ekadashi
10	Shravana	Shukla Paksha	Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
11	Bhadrapada	Krishna Paksha	Aja Ekadashi
12	Bhadrapada	Shukla Paksha	Parsva Ekadashi
13	Ashwin	Krishna Paksha	Indira Ekadashi
14	Ashwin	Shukla Paksha	Papankusha Ekadashi
15	Kartika	Krishna Paksha	Rama Ekadashi
16	Kartika	Shukla Paksha	Devutthana Ekadashi
17	Margashirsha	Krishna Paksha	Utpanna Ekadashi
18	Margashirsha	Shukla Paksha	Mokshada Ekadashi
19	Paush	Krishna Paksha	Saphala Ekadashi
20	Paush	Shukla Paksha	Pausha Putrada Ekadashi
21	Magha	Krishna Paksha	Shattila Ekadashi
22	Magha	Shukla Paksha	Jaya Ekadashi
23	Phalguna	Krishna Paksha	Vijaya Ekadashi
24	Phalguna	Shukla Paksha	Amalaki Ekadashi