Mohini Ekadasi is observed during the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chithirai in Tamil calendar and in Vaishakha month in North Indian and other regions’ calendars. Mohini Ekadasi mahatmyam (importance or significance) was told by Sage Vasista to Lord Sri Ram. Lord Sri Krishna also told the importance of Mohini Ekadasi to Yudhishtira (Dharma raj).
When is Mohini Ekadasi Observed?
Mohini Ekadasi is observed on the eleventh day (ekadasi) of Shukla paksha in Vaishakha month. In Tamil traditional calendar, Mohini Ekadasi falls in Chithirai masam. In 2009, the date of Mohini Ekadasi is May 5, Tuesday.
Importance and Significance of Mohini Ekadashi:
When Mata Sita Devi separated from Lord Sri Ram, Rama became very sad and wanted to give up his life. Lord Sri Ram met Sage Vasista and he advised him to observe Mohini Ekadashi vrata which can reduce or nullify his sins and give him great pleasure and blissful life.
As suggested by Sage Vasista, Lord Sri Ram observed the fasting and all rituals and customs associated with Mohini Ekadashi and got rid of all sins to lead a very happy life with his concert Mata Sita Devi.
Sage Vasista explained Lord Sri Ram that fasting on Mohini Ekadashi is more fruitful than performing ritual bath in holy rivers. Importance of Mohini Ekadashi Vrata is explained in the Surya Purana.
Lord Vishnu – Deity of Mohini Ekdashi:
Lord Vishnu is the deity to worship on Mohini Ekadashi day. As Mohini Ekadasi falls in Vaishakha mas, the day is very auspicious for Vishnu puja. On Mohini Ekadasi, all other rituals, customs and traditions are followed as other Ekadasis.
Other Festivals and Auspicious days in Vaishakha masam (May 2009)
Other Ekadasi dates and days in 2009
Kurma Jayanti is the day to celebrate Lord Kurma’s Jayanti. Kurma avatara is the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Kurma means the tortoise or turtle form of Lord Vishnu, who helped devas (gods) and demons (asuras) in churning of milk ocean (Samudra Manthan).
When is Lord Kurma Jayanti celebrated?
Lord Kurma Jayanti is celebrated on Vaisakha Purnima. In 2009, the date of Kurma Jayanthi is May 8, Friday.
Legend and Story behind the Kurma Avatar – Why Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Kurma?
Due to the curse by the great Sage Durvasa, all gods were defeated in war against the demons. Asuras (demons) pulled out gods from heaven and frightened them with their arm forces. Gods went to Vaikunta and prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu suggested the gods to perform Samudra Manthan (churning of milk ocean) to get nectar (Amrit), drinking of which would give them immortal lives.
Devas asked asuras to help them in Samudra manthan. Demons accepted to do so. Both demons and gods started to churn the ocean. For Samudra Manthan, Mount Mandara and Vasuki (the giant serpent) were used. When all of them started churning, Mount Mandara was started to sink in the ocean. To protect the Mount Mandara from sinking and to lay a foundation for Mandara, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kurma (tortoise or turtle). In the form of tortoise, Lord Kurma effectively helped for Samudra Manthan.
Other Festivals and Auspicious days in Vaishakha masam (May 2009)
Vaishakh Snaan is the important and most auspicious ritual during Vaishakha month. Performing punya snan (ritual bath) in holy rivers such as Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, and Tungabhadra removes one’s sins and brings all luck in the future life.
Vaishakh masam is also auspicious for Pithru Shradha karma (rites and rituals to provide salvation to ancestors). In Kasi (Varanasi), Prayaga, Gangothri, Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik Vaishakh Punya Snan are performed.
Period of Vaisakha Masa Punya Snan and Pithru Shradha in 2009:
When Vaisakha masam falls in 2009? The period of Vaisakha masa Snan in 2009 – starts on April 26, Sunday and ends on May 24, Sunday. In some North Indian Hindu Calendars and the period of Vaishakh month and Vaishakh Snan may vary.
While performing Vaishakh Snan reciting Vishnu’s stotra is more fruitful.
The prayer for Vaishakh Snan:
Madhusudana devesha vaisakhe meshage ravau
Pratah snanam karishyami nirvighnam kuru Madhava
The prayer for Vaishakh Masa Arghya – Pithru Shraddha
Vaisakhe meshage bhanau pratah snan parayanah
Arghyam tehham pradasyami grihana Madhusudana
Gangadyah saritah sarvastirthani cha hradaschaye
Pragrihita maya dattamarghyam samyakprasidatha.
Vaishakha masam also spelled as Vaisakh mas is the favourite month for Lord Vishnu. Worshipping Lord Vishnu in Vaishakh month is considered as very auspicious. It is the most auspicious mas and the month of prosperity among all the months.
Significance and Importance of Vaishakh Month – Vaisakha Masa Mahatmya:
According to Sage Narada, the three months – Kartika masam, Magha masam and Vaisakha mas are the most auspicious months. But among these three months, Vaisakha mas is the supreme. Vaisakha mas has the sacredness to cleanse the sins of previous births and free the devotee from the result of his bad deeds.
Vaisakha mas is the auspicious month for good deeds such as pujas, yagna, homa, rituals, customs, and tapasya (penance).
In Vaisakha month, Lord Vishnu tests his bhakta, as those who stay without any vrata or charity; suffer from hurdles and obstacles in his future.
People believe that it is very easy to attain the four ultimate aims of human life (chatur purusharthas) – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha with Vaisakha dharma. Rituals, customs and traditions, collectively called as Vaisakha dharma grants the devotees good health, fame, sustenance and unending blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Balarama Jayanthi, birthday of Lord Balaram or Appearance day of Lord Balaram is celebrated on Vaishakha Shudda Tadiya. The Appearance day of Lord Balaram is also celebrated as Akshay Tritiya and Parashurama Jayanti.
When is Balarama Jayanti or Appearance Day of Balaram celebrated in 2009?
In 2009, Balarama Jayanti is celebrated on April 27, Monday. This day is also observed as Akshay Tritiya.
Legend and Story of Lord Balaram – Balarama Avatar:
According to some Puranas, Lord Balaram was the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Balaram was the older brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Balaram was very powerful that he demolished the large demon, Asuradhenuka. Asuradhenuka was the great demon who had the manifestation of a donkey. When another great demon attacked and lifted him on his shoulders, very young Balaram thrashed the demon’s brain with his fist and killed him.
Some Hindu scriptures also explain that Balaram was not an incarnation of Lord Vishnu but of the great serpent god Aadi Sesha. Aadisesha is the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu reclines.
Lord Balarama – the Haldhari:
As Balaram’s chief weapon is ploughshare (hal), he is also called as ‘Haldhari’. He is also considered as the Lord of agriculture.
Balaram’s Role in Kamsa Vadha – Killing of the Demon Kamsa:
Right from the moment when Sri Krishna went to Mathura, Lord Balaram was with him till he demolished the demon Kamsa. Mahabharata describes that Balaram taught Duryodhana and Bheema, how to use the Gadha (mace).
