Ekadashi or Ekadasi is the most auspicious vrat dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Ekadasi vrata is observed on 11th day in every fortnight during the Hindu month. The year 2010 consists of Adhik maas or Adhika Masam hence 2010 consists of 26 Ekadashi. April 2010 and May 2010 months consist 3 Ekadasi dates each because of Adhik maas in Hindu Panchang 2010.
Adhik Masa Vaishaka masa Ekadashi dates in 2010 are – April 24, 2010 and May 9, 2010. Some Ekadashi vratas are observed on different days by Smartha and Vaishnava sects of people. Smarta people observe Ekadashi on the day during which Ekadasi arrives and Vaishnav sect of people observe on the next day in some cases. Here is the Ekadashi calendar 2010 or the dates and days of Ekadasi in 2010:
Ekadashi dates in January 2010:
- Shatila Ekadashi or Sattila Ekadasi – Janaury 10, 2010
- Jaya Ekadasi 2010 – January 26
Ekadasi dates in February 2010:
- Vijaya Ekadashi 2010 – February 9
- Amalaki Ekadasi 2010 – February 25
Ekadashi dates in March 2010:
- Papamochani Ekadasi 2010 – March 11
- Kamada Ekadashi – March 26, 2010
Ekadasi dates in April 2010:
- Varuthini Ekadashi 2010 – April 10
- Kamala Ekadashi or Padmini Ekadasi 2010 – April 24
Ekadashi dates in May 2010:
- Parama Ekadashi or Kamala Ekadashi 2010 – May 9
- Mohini Ekadashi 2010 – May 24
Ekadasi dates in June 2010:
- Apara Ekadasi 2010 – June 8
- Bhima Ekadashi or Nirjala Ekadashi 2010 – June 22
Ekadashi dates in July 2010:
- Yogini Ekdasi 2010 – July 8
- Sayana Ekadashi or Ashadi Eakdasi or Harivasara Ekadashi or Devashayani Ekadasi or Vishnu Sayana Eakdasi – July 21, 2010
Ekadashi dates in August 2010:
- Kamika Ekadasi 2010 – August 6
- Pavitra Ekadasi 2010 – August 20
Ekadashi dates in September 2010:
- Annada Ekadashi or Aja Ekadasi 2010 – September 4
- Parivartini Ekadashi 2010 or Parsva Ekadasi or Parsva Partivarthini Ekadashi 2010 – September 18
Ekadashi dates in October 2010:
- Indira Eakdashi 2010 – Indra Ekadasi – October 4
- Pasankusa Ekadashi 2010 – October 18
Ekadasi dates in November 2010:
- Rama Ekadashi 2010 – November 2
- Utthana Ekadashi 2010 or Prabodini Ekadasi or Hari Bodhini Ekadasi or Uthwana Ekadashi or Kartiki Ekadashi – November 17
Ekadashi dates in December 2010:
- Uthpatti Ekadashi 2010 or Utpanna Ekadasi – December 1
- Mokshada Ekadasi 2010 – December 17
Vaikunta Ekadashi, also known as Mukkoti Ekadasi, is observed on Margazhi Ekadashi or on the 11th day in Margali month in Tamil Nadu. In 2009, Vaikunta Ekadashi is observed on December 28. It is a major festival in SriRangam Sri Ranganathar temple (Ranganatha Swamy temple). Vaikunda Ekadasi is celebrated for twenty one days which is divided to two ten days as ‘Pagal Pathu’ and ‘Ra Pathu’. Lord Sri Ranganatha is adorned with tremendous clothes and grand golden and diamond ornaments to give Paramapada Vasal darshanam to his devotees.
On Vaikunta Ekadasi, a grand procession of Ranganatha swamy idol is held at Thirumamani Mandapam. This procession attracts lakhs of devotees from all over India. Lord Ranganatha is attired in the form of the King known as Rangaraja. The divine text, ‘Nalayira Divya Prabandham’ is recited throughout the day in the temple. Bhajans are sung by devotees and the Brahmins.
Vaikunta Ekadashi is known as Putrada Ekadasi in North Indian states. Vaikunta Dwadashi, the day after Vaikunta Ekadasi, is also an auspicious day celebrated with utmost fervor and devotion in Sri Rangam Ranganathar temple. In Kerala, Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is celebrated as Swarga Vathil Ekadasi. This is the most celebrated day in Trivandrum Padmanabha Swami temple.
Pavai Nombu or Margali Nombu is the important vratha observed during the month of Margazhi or Margali in Tamil Nadu.
Kamika Ekadasi is observed on Krishna Paksha Ekadasi in Shravan maas (July – August). In 2009, the date to observe Kamika Ekadashi is July 18, Saturday. As per the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana, Lord Brahma explained the glories of Kamika Ekadasi to Sage Narada and later it was told by Lord Krishna to Yudhistira.
Glory, Greatness and Merits of Kamika Ekadasi Vrata:
Whoever observes Kamika Ekadasi Vrata or fasting would get the blessings more than the one who performs ritual bath in all sacred rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Kaveri, Godavari, Krishna, etc. The devotee who accomplishes the Kamika Ekadashi fasting would achieve more punya (blessings of the Lord) than a person who visited Kasi, Haridwar, Kedarnath and all Hindu holy places.
Devotees who worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves will become free from all their sins and evil deeds they have performed in life. Greatest glory or merit of Kamika Ekadasi vrata is Vaikunta prapthi (attaining salvation in Vishnu Lokam). Lord Yamadharmaraj won’t disturb their devotion and attaining salvation who observe Kamika Ekadashi fasting. All rituals and customs are same as the other Ekadasi fasting.
Other Ekadasi dates and days in 2009
Sayana Ekadasi or Devashayana Ekadashi or Padma Ekadasi or Vishnu Sayani Ekadashi is one of the most significant ekadashi observances. Shayana Ekadashi falls during the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashada. In 2009, the date of observing Devasayana Ekadasi Vrata is July 3, Friday. Shayana Ekadasi is also referred as Maha Ekadashi in ‘Vajrotsava Chandrika’ and ‘Harivasara Ekadashi’ in some other scriptures.This Ekadashi is also observed as Bhooripaksha Ekadasi.
Padma Ekadasi or Vishnu Sayani Ekadashi:
After the day of Sayana Ekadasi vrata, Lord Vishnu goes to Yoganidra (meditation). Hence, all Gods worship him on the night of Dasami. So Sayana Ekadasi is also called as Vishnu Sayani Ekadasi or Padma Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Aadiseshu (divine serpent) as it also referred as Sesha Shayana Ekadashi. It is also popular as Ashadi Ekadasi. Sayana Ekadasi is also celebrated as Tholi Ekadashi or Toli Ekadashi in Andhra Pradesh. Tholi Ekadashi means the first Ekadashi in Telugu. Sayani Ekadasi is also called as Prathama Ekadashi or Pratham Ekadasi.
Significance and greatness of DevaShayana Ekadasi Vrata:
The importance and greatness of Devasayani Ekadasi is explained in Bhavishya-uttara Purana. When Yudhistira asked about the Shayana Ekadasi fasting and observance, Lord Sri Krishna explained the glory of Shayana Ekadashi vrata which was told earlier by Lord Brahma to Sage Narada. The most auspicious Chaturmasa Vrata starts on this Ekadasi day. In Maharashtra, Ashadi Ekadashi is also observed as closing ceremony day of Pandharpur Yatra.
Legend or Story of Deva Shayana Ekadashi:
Mandhata was the King of Surya Vamsha. He was very honest and always spoke truth and performed many good deeds. But in his kingdom once occurred a severe drought. There was the great lack of food to feed people and animals. Many people were died. Mandhata observed many vratas, homas, pujas and yagnas to get rid of this drought but all his attempts were went on vain.
Sage Angira suggested him to observe Ekadasi fasting on Ashada Shukla Ekadashi, which is also called as Padma Ekadasi, Devasayani Ekadasi. As told by Angira rushi, King Mandhata observed the Devasayani Ekadasi fasting, worshipped Lord Vishnu and freed his people from drought.
Other Ekadasi dates and days in 2009
