Papankusha Ekadashi 2023: Rituals to get rid of all sins

October 25 marks the auspicious occasion of Papankusha Ekadashi. It is one of the most important Hindu fasting days observed in the Ashwin month on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of Shukla Paksha. According to experts, if devotees fast on this day with utmost devotion and faith, they are blessed with the benefits of a thousand Ashwamedha Yagya and Surya Yagya.

They say that there is no other fast like Ekadashi Vrat. If a person does charity on this day, he will get many benefits. Devotees also worship Lord Vishnu to achieve desired results. According to Hindu beliefs, devotees cannot be freed from all their past sins and bad deeds until the time they observe a Papankusha Ekadashi Vrat.

According to reports, Papankusha Ekadashi day is celebrated to worship Lord Padmanabha. Lord Padmanabha is an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Devotees observe a Papankusha Ekadashi fast to obtain divine blessings from the deity and enjoy the various luxuries of this universe.

On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshiped with incense sticks, oil lamps, coconut, flowers, bananas and Panchamrit. On the day of Ekadashi, after waking up on Brahma Muhurta, devotees should bathe in water mixed with gangajal. Then they must sit in the place where the religious ceremony will take place. They must then undertake to observe fast, install a Kalash, light a ghee lamp and perform a special puja of Lord Vishnu.

According to experts, Ekadashi Fast Parana should not be performed during Hari Vasar. Hari Vasar is the first quarter of the Dwadashi Tithi period. Fasting devotees must wait for Hari Vasar to end before breaking their fast. The best time to break the fast is in the morning. They should also be careful not to perform some actions during this auspicious occasion. They should not pluck Tulsi leaves, say harsh words, consume alcohol or consume tamsik food during this festival. In the evening, Ekadashi puja should be performed again and then break the fast by eating sattvic food.