“Varuthini Ekadashi: Lord Vishnu's Protective Grace and Timeless Legends”

“Varuthini Ekadashi”, also known as “Vaisakha Shukla Ekadashi”, falls on the 11th day of fortnight of waning moon during Chaitra (as per South Indian calendar) or Vaisakha month (as per North Indian calendar). It lies in the month of April or May. This year, it's on ‘4th May ’24.’

As per “Drik Panchang”, the “tithi” for “Varuthini Ekadashi” in ’24 is as follows:

Varuthini Ekadashi on Saturday, May 4 ’24

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 11:24 PM on May 03 ’24
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 08:38 PM on May 04 ’24

The literal meaning of Varuthini is 'the one who protects.' Thus, there is a belief that Varuthini Ekadashi protects its devotees from all kinds of negativities and evils.

On the holy occasion of Varuthini Ekadashi, Lord Varaha, the 5th Avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu, is worshiped. The rituals followed on this Ekadashi are very similar to all other Ekadashis of Sanatana Dharma. On this day, one should abstain from violence, eating on a bell metal plate, shaving, smearing oil on the body, consuming meat, red lentils, chickpeas, honey, eating at others' place, having food twice & saying bad things about others. By observing Varuthini Ekadashi's fast, we can purify our souls and get rid of our karmas. The fast is broken, i.e. “Parana” is performed on the next day, i.e. Dwadashi.

As per “Drik Panchang”,

Varuthini Ekadashi on Saturday, May 4 ’24

• On 5th May, Parana Time - 06:05 AM to 08:40 AM
• On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment - 05:41 PM

The charitable actions performed on “Varuthini Ekadashi” gratify one's ancestors, gods and all living entities. Sharing knowledge with others blesses one with the highest benefits.

There are lots of interesting stories behind this auspicious day.

One legend of Varuthini Ekadashi states that:

Once there was a King named Mandhata. He was an ardent devotee of Prabhu Shri Hari Vishnu. He used to perform austerity with perseverance on the banks of river Narmada. One day, he was meditating in a nearby forest. All of a sudden, a bear appeared & bit off the King's leg. But Mandhata was so absorbed in his meditation that he neither felt any pain nor was he aware of the bear's attack. Then, the bear dragged him inside the jungle. When the King came out of his meditation, he noticed the bear & his badly eaten body and legs. He started meditating again to Lord Vishnu & offered prayers to him. On hearing his devotee's prayers, Lord Vishnu appeared there & subdued the bear. Then, Bhagwan Vishnu asked the king to worship his Varaha avatar, offer prayers & observe Ekadashi vrat. The King did the same- he performed aarti of Varaha avatar of Shri Hari Vishnu & observed fasting following all the rituals. As a result, the King regained his leg & his wounds were healed.

Another legend of Varuthini Ekadashi states that:

Once, Lord Shiva was very furious & he beheaded the fifth head of Lord Brahma. As a result, he was cursed. He performed years of penance but couldn't get rid of the curse. One day, he observed the fast of Varuthini Ekadashi following proper rituals. Subsequently, he got redemption from that curse.

It is also believed that the devotees receive equivalent fruits by observing Varuthini Ekadashi as similar to thousand years of penance.

It is said that on the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, after Samudra Manthan, Lord Vishnu took the form of an apsara for getting the Amrit Kalash back from the Asuras.

The importance of Varuthini Ekadashi is mentioned in Bhavishya Purana. In Hindu Shastras, 'Varuthini Ekadashi' is considered equivalent to hundred Kanyadaan (the biggest Daan). It has the ability to change bad luck, free humans from the cycle of birth & death, and usher prosperity, name & fame on its observers.

So let us bow in the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu this Varuthini Ekadashi to receive his protective blessings.

|| Shubh Varuthini Ekadashi ||

|| Om Namo Narayanaya ||