Jaya Ekadashi - Thursday 18th February

Jaya Ekadashi - Maha Sud Ekadashi

Dharmaraj Yudhishthir said to Bhagwan, "O Krishna! You are the creator, sustainer and destroyer of everything. Please tell me the name of Ekadashi that falls in the Sud fortnight of month of Maha."

Shree Krishna replied, "O Yudhishthir! This Ekadashi is called Jaya Ekadashi. Listen attentively to its significance and greatness. Whoever observes Vrat of this Ekadashi will have all his desires and also attains Moksha. A man never has to become a ghost or indeed an evil spirit is released from that life after observing the Vrat of this holy Ekadashi. Let Me cite an example from Padma Puran which details the reward one earns for observing the Vrat of Jaya Ekadashi."

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Vijya Ekadashi - Saturday 5th March

Vijya Ekadashi - Maha Vad Ekadashi

King Yudhishthir asked, "O merciful Lord Vaasudev! What is the name of the Ekadashi that falls on the dark fortnight of month of Magh? What is its significance?"

 Bhagwan Shree Krishna replied, "O king! This Ekadashi is called Vijya Ekadashi and as the name suggests, anyone undertaking the Vrat of this Ekadashi becomes victorious. Once, Sage Narad approached Brahma and asked him to narrate to him the Mahatmya of Vijya Ekadashi. Brahma said, 'O Son! This Vrat is very ancient, holy and dispeller of all evils. I have not revealed its secret to anybody as yet. Anyone observing this Vrat can easily annihilate his enemies and become victorious in a battle. This Vrat instils new confidence in a disheartened man."

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Maha Shivratri - Monday 7th March

Shivratri: Maha Vad Chaudash

Shiva is one element of the holy triumvirate along with Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma creates, Vishnu sustains while Shiva destroys the universe. All three remain constant as long as the cosmos exists. In that sense, Shivratri is not his birthday as such. The legend has it that the great Asp Shesha, on whose head the universe is held steady, felt lonely on his own. Therefore, Visnu and Shiva agreed to give him company in turn for six months each. When Shivji stays with Shesha for six months, the underground water turns warmer than the surface water. It is on Shivratri i.e. Maha Vad Chaudash that Shiva comes back to earth from netherworld. Hindus undertake special veneration to welcome Him back among them.

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Amalki Ekadashi - Saturday 19th March

Amalki Ekadashi - Falgun Sud Ekadashi

King Mandhata asked Sage Vashishtha, "O guru! Please tell me about Ekadashi that falls in the bright fortnight in the month of Falgun."

Vashishtha Rishi replied, "O king! This Ekadashi is called 'Amalki Ekadashi' which is capable of dispelling one's all sins including five (Maha) major sins and bestow Moksha. Moreover, one earns Punya equivalent to donating thousands cows to a Brahmin by observing a fast on this Ekadashi. I shall narrate a tale of a hunter who attained Moksha as a result of observing Vrat of Amalki Ekadashi."

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