Apara Ekadashi, is a Hindu festival, celebrated to worship Lord Vishnu and seek for love and affection of the protector God. According to Mahabharata, once a Pandava, Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna to name of the Ekadashi that occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June). Lord Krishna said that it’s Apara Ekadashi. All the sins of one can be vanished if he worship the true lord on Apara Ekadashi and seek His blessings.

Apara Ekadashi always occur in the month of Jyeshtha or May-June and celebrating the festival in joy with the devotees of Lord Krishna will be highly refreshing.

To celebrate the Ekadashi, it’s necessary to keep fast on the day and do the Parana on the next day. Parana simply means to break the fast. It’s highly important to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. It is also necessary that one should not break the fast on Hari Vasara, first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. You should always avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna and the best time to break the fast is Pratahka. If one is not able to break the fast in Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.

Although it is suggested to keep the fast on Apara Ekadashi on two consecutive days,     the alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second day is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. Fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees of Lord Vishnu to worship the lord and to seek love and affection from Him.

Ekadashi Tithi, this year is beginning at 00.39 on June 1, 2016 and ending at 21:49 on the same day.

By Prajakt K.