·         JAYA - VIJYA - EKADASHI (JAN)

 When Ekadashi and Dvadasi happen to combine on a Shravana day the Ekadashi is called Vijaya. This day brings prosperity to the person.  It is also called Vijaya if an Ekadashi comes in the month of Phalguna (March) or on a Pushya Nakshatra.

BAKAPANCAKA The five days from Karttika Shukla (Pradodhini, the day on which Lord wakes up from his sleep) to Purnima are so called because even a (baka) crane would not eat fish on this days.

·        BHIMA EKADASHI

·     This Ekadasi has come to be known by this name since Bhima, the second of the Pandava princes, was instructed in his performance of the fast by Vasudeva (Krishna) himself. On the Magha Shukla Paksha dasami, one has to perform the worship of Vishnu with astaksari mantra (Om namo narayanaya), and fast on the Ekadashi day and perform homa.

·        BHISMAPANCAKA   This vrat is recommended for attaining freedom from sins. It is to be performed for five days, from Karttika Shukla Ekadashi (Prabodhini) to purnima. Bathing three times a day applying pancamtra, pancagavya and water mixed sandal wood paste, tarpana to the pitrs or departed souls, japa of the famous mantra OM NAMO VASUDEVAYA DURING WORSHIP AND FOR THE MANTRA FOR PERFORMING HOMA AUM NAMO VISNAVE

·        VAIKUNTHA – CHATURDASI  VRAT

·     During Karttika Shukla Paksha. This vrat was observed by Lord Visvesvara (Siva) who established Visvesvara Linga at Varanasi (Banaras). The person normally on this day takes a bath and observes the Pasupatavrat. Vishnu is also said to have worshipped Lord Shiva with 1008 Lotuses and had the opportunity of having the Sudarsana Cakra (famous discus weapon) from him. Worship of Lord Vishnu and Shiva should be done in the night.

·        AMALAKI EKADASHI (FEB-MAR)

·    The Hindus have a great regard to all living things, because one Universal Spirit pervades all. God dwells in all things. It is this conception of God that underlies in the worship of trees, especially the Amla tree (Emblica Officinalis) on this Amalaki Ekadashi day. After the morning rituals the Amalaka tree is ceremonially bathed and watered, and then worshipped. Fast is observed on this day and Brahmins or poor people are given gifts.  From the piety observed upon others on this day happiness and prosperity flow on the person observing this fast.

·        NIRJALA-BHEEM EKADASHI  (MAY- JUNE)

·      A waterless fast is known as Nirjala. People observe this strict fast and offer puja to Vishnu to ensure happiness, prosperity and his forgiveness.  During Nirjala, all the Indriyas become weak, and the Soul gets a chance of attributes such as mercy and performing austerities.

·       During the Nirjala Ekadashi, Panchamrata is prepared by mixing together milk, Ghee, curds, honey and sugar and offered to Lord Vishnu. The puja is done with flower divas and water and incense etc.

·       The faithful observance of these fast and other rituals on this day ensures happiness, salvation, longevity and prosperity. After the fast is over clothes, grains, pitchers filled with water etc. are given in charity to the poor people according to one’s means and capacity.    On this day some people set up drinking station to distribute free drinking water to people in crowded place    

·        DEV-PODHI EKADASHI (JUN - JULY)--DEVUTHI PRABODHINI (OCT- NOV)

·       This day means when Lord Hari or Vishnu retires to sleep on the bed of Sheshang, in the Kshirsagar. According to the belief Hari goes for the rest and sleeps for the four months of the rainy seasons.

·     This is in the month of Ashadha of the 11th day of the (June- July), This period of four months of the rainy seasons is known as “Chaturmas” and during this period such auspicious activities such as marriage, thread ceremony etc. are prohibited. During this period of four months the sadhus live at one place and meditate.

·     This ends on 11 tithi of the bright of Karitka (Oct-Nov). This is known by the Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi- Lord Vishnu awakes form his four-month rest. The people rejoice by offering the new feast form the harvest. From this day onwards marriages etc can be held as it marks again the beginning of auspicious time.

·     One of the most well known festivals that falls on a dvadasi is the Utthana-dvadasi (Kartitika Sukla dvadasi). On this day Lord Vishnu who had gone to sleep on the Sayani day (Asadha Shukla Ekadashi) wakes up. Hence it is called “Utthana-dvadasi (uthana- getting up).

·      On this day also on this day Tulasi or Vrnda was married to Lord Vishnu. Hence it is called Tulasivivaha day. Ceremonial marriage of the Lord Vishnu is performed with Tulasi plant (holy Basil) on this day. Images of Hari and Tulasi are worshipped for three days (Navami to Ekadashi). The marriage ceremony is performed on the Dwadashi

·        PUTRADA - KAMADA EKADASHI (JUNE-JULY-AUG-DEC-JAN)

·    This falls in the month of Shravana, on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha. This is mainly observed by the couples in order to get children. Lord Vishnu is worshipped and the poor people are fed and given clothes, money etc. in charity on this day. At night the couple should sleep in the room where the Lord has been worshipped. Similarly the Ekadashi falling in the Krishna Paksha of the Shravana should be observed and is known by the name of Kamada Ekadashi, wishful day

VAIKUNTHA EKADASHI The Ekadashi of Margasirsa Suklapaksha is known as Vaikuntha Ekadashi. On this day, thousands of people gather in Visnu Temples. One of the main doors called (Vaikuntadvara) which is normally kept closed throughout the year, is thrown open on this day.

·       The devotees who pass through this door for the darshan of the Lord are believed to go Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. It is said in the time gone by, the devotee Rukmangada who was been forced to break his Ekadashi fast against his will of the vrat, was saved by Vishnu and was taken to Vaikuntha on this day.

·       This day is also the day on which the Bhagavad-Gita was discourse by the Lord Shree Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield. On this day even today it is celebrated as Gitajayanti.

·        SHATTILA EKADASHI

·     Sat-tila- dwadashi – This comes in the Phalgun Krishna Shukla Paksa dwadashi with Shravana Nakshatra. Since tila or sesame has to be used six times (sat-six), pinch. One has to worship the gods with sesame, perform homa with sesame, light lamps with sesame oil in temples, donate sesame, offer water mixed with sesame to the pitrs and eat sesame. The person gets blessing form pitrs from this act.

·    PARIVARTTINI EKADASHI   Shravana dwadashi vrat also falls during this time – and it is also the Jayanti of Vamana vrat. It falls on Bhadrapad Shukla dwadashi, with Sravana Nakshatra. The thrust of this vrat is that one has to fast on the Ekadashi day. One should take a bath and worship Vamana and donate an earthen vessel full of boiled rice and curds. Fasting has to be done on the dwadashi day

·  PAVITRAROPANA VRAT Investing the deity with pavitra or the sacred cord is performed on this vrat. This ritual is supposed to set right all mistakes committed during all the pujas performed during that year.  The sacred cord may be made of gold, silver, copper silk or even kusa or cotton thread. The cord must have knots of maximum of hundred and the minimum of eight.