Year to year in history it has been believed culturally; keeping brata is a healthy ritual for both mental and physical. Ekadashi is one of them. But param ekadashi brata is quite special because it falls every 3 years during adhik mas(extra lunar calender in panchanga i.e Hindu calender). Devotees are those who keeps brata on this day. For a long and healthy life, absence of sadness and many more bless from lord Vishnu; every devotee prays for getting these.
Auspicious day on this year:
Param ekadashi is falling in this year on 11 August 2023 from 0506 hrs to 0631 hrs of 12 August 2023 and auspicious moment stays upto 0549 hrs to 0819 hrs on 13 August 2023. But mostly accepted moment is 11 August to 12 August.
Puja vidhi(preparation of brata):
Devotees must get up in Brahma muhurta(in early 3 hours of sun rise or 4 AM to 6 AM) then bathing properly. After bathing meditate to lord Vishnu keeping flowers in hand. Then arrangements for Puja. Place a small table and cover it with a clean yellow linen and keep the idol or photo of lord Vishnu on it. Arrange fruits and flowers. Then pujan vidhi as per panchoupchar.
Panchoupchar is a way of inviting to God. 5 steps includes here that is sugandham with sandal wood, puspham(flower), dhupam(incense), deepam(lamp), naivedyam(fruits and sweets). These are five steps of panchoupchar.
After completing panchoupchar one may have phalahara(eating fruits) after donating something to others i.e beggar or poor people.
As per vidhi or rules there are five type of donation one can do i.e cow, gold, land, education, meal.
Rules that shouldn’t be done on ekadashi:
- Sleeping late in morning and sleeping in daytime etc.
- One shouldn’t send guest or visitors who comes on that day without offering them any one type of donation.
- Devotees mustn’t wear black linen on ekadashi brata day.
- Devotees who keeps brata shouldn’t eat or take anything from others but if it is necessary then have to give something instead of that receiving items.
For devoted followers looking for Lord Vishnu’s love and adoration, fasting on both days of Ekadashi is advised.