Holidays & Observances: Padmini Ekadasi
First posted on WordPress here.
For all the posts in this Holidays & Observances series, go here.
For prologue on Ekadasi, go to the very first post here.
Prologue: I have been meaning to write a series about Holidays and Observances that we (my family and friends) follow in both India (my birth country) and USA (my adopted country). This series is dedicated to those. On a side note, perhaps I might witness some of the celebrations from other countries as well that may get their way into this series. :)
The third Ekadasi for the month of July is Padmini Ekadasi which was on 29th July this year. This occurs once in three years during the time when there is an extra month or Adhika Maasam according to Hindu Calendar. That is why it is more precious and a rare event.
It is again followed in honor of Lord Vishnu worshipping him in the form of Purushottam. This is believed to bring good health, prosperity and spiritual growth in one who follows this Ekadasi. As I mentioned in the very first Ekadasi post, if you put the religion aside, allowing your body to fast twice a month is an excellent way of cleansing and detoxifying to aid in repair and rejuvenation.