One most important vrat witnessed on a huge scale in Hindu community is Ekadashi vrat. The name Ekadashi is derived from Sanskrit language meaning ‘Eleven’. As per Hindu lunar calendar, it falls on the 11th day of every fortnight and thus there are two Ekadashis occurring every month. The name given to these Ekadashis is Shukla Paksha (occurring during the growing phase of the moon) and another is Krishna Paksha (occurring during the decreasing phase of the moon). Here, you can get significant information regarding the Ekadashi dates 2018. Ekadashi vrat initiates from the sunset on the day just before Ekadashi and continues until the sunrise of the day next to Ekadashi. The duration of vrat is 48 hours, overall. This vrat is considered to be very difficult in the Hindu community.
| 12 January (Friday) | Shattila Ekadashi (KP) |
| 28 January (Sunday) | Pausha Putrada Ekadashi(SP) |
| 11 February (Sunday) | Vijaya Ekadashi(KP) |
| 26 February (Monday) | Jaya Ekadashi(SP) |
| 13 March (Tuesday) | Papmochani Ekadashi(KP) |
| 27 March (Tuesday) | Amalaki Ekadashi(SP) |
| 12 April (Thursday) | Varuthini Ekadashi(KP) |
| 26 April (Thursday) | Kamara Ekadashi(SP) |
| 11May (Friday) | Apara Ekadashi(KP) |
| 25 May (Friday) | Mohini Ekadashi(SP) |
| 10 June (Sunday) | Apara Ekadashi(KP) |
| 23 June (Saturday) | Nirjala Ekadashi(SP) |
| 09 July (Monday) | Yogini Ekadashi(KP) |
| 23 July (Monday) | Nirjala Ekadashi(SP) |
| 07 August (Tuesday) | Vaishnava Kamika Ekadshi(KP) |
| 21 August (Tuesday) | Devshayani Ekadashi(SP) |
| 22 August (Wednesday) | Devshayani Ekadashi(SP) |
| 06 September (Thursday) | Aja Ekadashi(KP) |
| 20 September (Thursday) | Shravana Putrada Ekadashi(SP) |
| 05 October(Friday) | Indira Ekadashi(KP) |
| 20 October(Saturday) | Parsava Ekadashi(SP) |
| 03 November(Saturday) | Rama Ekadashi(KP) |
| 19 November(Monday) | Papankusha Ekadashi(SP) |
| 03 December(Monday) | Utpanna Ekadashi(KP) |
| 19 December(Wednesday) | Devutthana Ekadashi(SP) |
As per Hindu Puranas, Ekadashi is famous with other names also like “Hari Din” and “Hari Vasara”. Its significance is given in Padma Purana and Skanda Purana and it is obeyed by both Vaishnavas and Non-Vaishanavas community. During the vrat, cereals, spices, wheat and few vegetables are not eaten. The preparations starts a day before Ekadashi which is particularly called Dashami, but first of all the believers takes a ritual bath early in the morning. During the Ekadashi vrat, devotees only consume a meal once and that is also without salt.
Those who keep this fast have to avoid alcohol, non-vegetarian diet, and sex during it. Even on the day of Dashami, it is observed that followers avoid dal and honey. Dry fruits, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk products are the most common foods that are eaten on the day of fast. Sabudana khichdi, groundnuts and potatoes are also consumed in some parts of India during the Ekadashi vrat. As per the rituals, some people don’t even have water during the vrat and follow Nirjala Ekadashi. Devotees carry out different prayers, chant mantras, perform pujas and worship Lord Vishnu throughout the day. Some devotees like to do aartis, listen Ekadashi Vrat Katha, and divine speeches.
Dwadashi day is also very important that falls just after the Ekadashi day. Devotees follow the same rituals on Dwadashi day as followed on Dashami. Taking holy bath early in the morning, lighting diya and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and then breaking the fast by consuming the food cooked on the day of Dashami is the procedure followed.
