Apara Ekadashi Vrat

A significant Ekadashi fast, Apara Ekadashi is observed in the month of Jyeshtha during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha). This date usually falls in the month of May or June according to the Gregorian calendar. Followers of Apara Ekadashi believe that this vrat would help in eliminating their sins and henceforth, would finally assist them in attaining Moksha, or salvation. Apart from this, fasting on this Ekadashi is also known to bring in name and fame to the observer. Apara Ekadashi is also celebrated as Achala Ekadashi, Bhadrakali Ekadashi, Viashakha Vadi Ekadashi and Jalakrida Ekadashi in various parts of India. Scroll through the following lines to find out the story of Apara Ekadashi vrat and how to observe it.

How To Observe Achala Ekadashi Vrat
Observance of a vrat on Apara Ekadashi is said to clean a person from all the sins committed and also freeing from the various bonds in life, thereby achieving Moksha. A devotee practicing Apara Ekadashi is likely to receive merits equal to performing various religious and spiritual acts. To name a few, these include performing three ritual baths in Pushkar Kshetra in Kartika masam, performing ritual bath in Prayag in the month of Magha masam at Mesha Sankraman, worshipping Lord Shiva in Varanasi, offering tharpan to forefathers at Gaya, performing ritual bath in Gautami River at Simha Sankraman, and so on. People also believe that one can become famous and popular through various commendable actions.

In northern regions, like Punjab, Haryana and places of Jammu and Kashmir, the ritual is known as Bhadrakali Ekadashi and is considered one of the most propitious days for worshipping Goddess Bhadra Kali. This is an important festival for the Aryan Saraswat Brahmin sect. On the other hand in Orissa, this vrat is referred to as Jalakrida Ekadashi, which is dedicated to Lord Jagannath in Puri. The Apara Ekadashi vrat is observed from sunrise till the sunrise on the next day. While Apara Ekadashi vrat calls for a strict fasting, people also opt for observing a partial fast. In such a case, they are allowed to consume fruits and milk only. Most importantly, food containing rice and grains should be avoided. In some parts of India, Sabudana Khichadi is eaten by those observing a partial vrat.