Ekadashi fasting holds an important place in Hindu religion. Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Jyeshtha month is called Achala Ekadashi. Achala Ekadashi is also called Apara Ekadashi.
By observing this fast, one gets rid of the evil deeds like Brahma Khatna, Paranda, Killing of the fetus, Parsarigami and there is an increase in fame, wealth and wealth. Lord Krishna said this to Yudhishthira.
Ekadashi means 11, in Sanskrit and is the name of the 11th day of the month in a Hindu Calendar. In the Hindu Calendar, a month is actually divided into two parts of 15 days and hence, a month has practically 2 ekadashis. Ekadashis are of very high importance in the Hindu culture and one can easily find a festival or the other being observed on this day. Apara Ekadashi is one such day that is observed on the Ekadashi of the second half of the month of Jeshtha.
Of all the Ekadashi’s observed in a year, Apara Ekadashi is considered the most glorious one. It is believed that a person who fasts on this day washes away all his sins and attains Moksha. With just one fast on this day, a person frees himself of all the wrong doings and short falls of the past. In Madhya Pradesh, this day is celebrated with grandeur and almost everyone tries to observe a fast. This day is given high importance and people visit temples in huge numbers to pray for forgiveness.
Observed in the month of Jyeshtha, this festival is generally observed in the month of May or June all over the country. This festival goes by many names across the nation like Achala Ekadashi, Bhadrakali Ekadashi, Vaishakh Vadi Ekadashi and Jalkrida Ekadashi. In Madhya Pradesh, it is called Apara Ekadashi a day that washes away all the sins and reserves a place in Heaven.
Legends of Apara Ekadashi
There are many tales associates with Achala Ekadashi. Here are a few of them:
The Tale of Lord Trivikrama
Lord Trivikrama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who taught a fitting lesson to King Bali. According to the puranas, it was in Treta Yug that King Bali started acting arrogant after being conferred with the title Chakravarty Samrat. Such was his pride that he made Lord Indra to leave from Heaven after attacking it.
Indra sought asylum from King Vishnu who took the avatar of Vamana (dwarf) showing that he is Trivikrama, the Lord of Three Worlds. King Bali realized his mistake and obliged to Lord Vishnu. This auspicious day is celebrated as Apara Ekadashi. Owing to its prominence, it is also known as Jyeshtha Krishna Ekadashi, Vaishakh Vadi Ekadashi, and Achala Ekadashi.
The Story of King Yudhishthir
King Yudhishthir, the eldest of Pandavas in Mahabharata, asked about the importance of Apara Ekadashi during one of his resting periods. According to Lord Krishna, the festival is chiefly celebrated in the dominant Hindu communities during which they seek perfect solution so that their past sins could get washed off successfully. This is the exact reason why people in large numbers maintain fast on the auspicious day. Perhaps, it is the Apara Ekadashi festival alone that helps people in realizing more benefits on an overall.
Rituals of Apara Ekadashi
The rituals observed on this day include fasting, pujas and yagya. The rituals of this day are given very high importance and are performed with utmost sincerity. It is said that a person who observes this day honestly gets as blessed as someone who has done innumerable good acts and observed various religious acts. Madhya Pradesh is a state of diversities. Many festivals are celebrated here with grand fervor and Apara Ekadashi is one of them. It is of equal importance to every person in the state despite of their caste and the state they come from.
Attaining salvation is best possible for all those who believe in Lord Vishnu and offer their selfless prayers to God. Reflecting the name “Apara” term in the festival, it is believed that people who observe fast will be able to realize unlimited benefits in exactly the same way as it is expected. Remaining uneaten as part of the fasting ritual is something that is regarded as the most effective step from your end.
Significance of Apara Ekadashi
The significance of Apara Ekadashi is mentioned in the ‘Brahma Purana.’ The greatness of Apara Ekadashi was narrated by Lord Krishna to King Yudhishithir. Lord Krishna also stated that a person observes Ekadashi vrat, he will be very renowned due to their meritious deeds. Apara Ekadashi vrat is highly beneficial for those who are suffering from the guilt of their sins. By observing a fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu with devotion, all the sins will be pardoned. Apara Ekadashi vrat makes a person prosperous and rich. By observing Apara Ekadashi, the devotees get the same benefits as taking a bath in the holy Ganges during the auspicious month of ‘Kartik.’ It is equivalent to donating cows or performing sacred yagnyas.
Celebrations
Devotees need to be cautious while performing Apara Ekadashi vrat. All the rituals must be performed with devotion and dedication. Devotee should get up before sunrise and take a bath. Offer Tulsi leaves, flowers, dhoop and lamp to Lord Vishnu. Sweets are prepared at home and offered to the Lord. The devotees also recite the Apara Ekadashi vrat Katha or story along with Vishnu Sahastranaam Stotra. After performing the ‘Aarti’,‘Prasad’ is distributed among the family members. The devotees also visit temples of Lord Vishnu. The fast of this Ekadashi begins on the ‘dashami’ (10th day). The person can eat only one meal on the 10th day. Many devotees keep strict fast and spend the day without eating or drinking anything. Partial vrat can also be kept by those who are unfit. They can eat fruits. The fast starts at sunrise and ends on the sunrise of the ‘dwadashi’ (12th day). Eating grains and rice is prohibited on Apara Ekadashi. Applying oil on the body is also not allowed. Devotees should keep the mind free from all negative thoughts. He should not tell lies or speak badly about others. Their mind should only have thoughts of Lord Vishnu. The Devotees must be engaged in bhajans and kirtans in praise of Lord Vishnu on the day of Apara Ekadashi.