Gujarati Panchang CHAITRA SAMVAT 2071 = MARCH 21, 2015 TO APRIL 18, 2015

March 21, 2015 - Panchak, Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri Begins, Chetti Chand Din
March 22, 2015 - Gan Gauri Trij,
March 23, 2015 - Vinayak Chauth
March 24, 2015 - Shri Panchmi

March 27, 2015 - Durgashtami
March 28, 2015 - Chaitra Navratri Ends, Ram Navami

March 31, 2015 - Kamda Ekadashi
April 1, 2015 - Pradosh, Anang Teras

April 3, 2015 - Vrat ni Poonam, Good Friday
April 4, 2015 - Hanuman Jayanti
April 5, 2015 - Easter Sunday

April 8, 2015 - Sankat Chauth

April 12, 2015 - Kalashtami

April 14, 2015 - Minarak Kumurta Ends, Panchak
April 15, 2015 - Panchak, Varuthini Ekadashi
April 16, 2015 - Panchak, Pradosh
April 17, 2015 - Panchak
April 18, 2015 - Panchak

Kamada Ekadasi Vrat

Kamada Ekadasi is the first Ekadashi in a Hindu year and considered to be the most auspicious among all the Ekadashi rituals. Also known as Kamda Ekadashi, this Ekadashi falls in the month of Chaitra during the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) according to the traditional Hindu calendar.

 

The followers of this ritual believe that observing a fast on this day will assist in getting rid of all sins and guilt that are a result of lust and help in regaining and increasing virtue. Apart from the washing of the sins, observing this Ekadashi vrat is also believed to bless a couple with a son, those desiring for one since a long time.

How To Observe Kamda Ekadashi Vrat
The story of Kamada Ekadashi dates back to a couple named Lalit and Lalitha. While Lalit was a Gandharva, Lalitha was an apsara. Exceptionally good dancers and singers, the couple performed in the court of King Pundarika in Ratnapur.

 

On one occasion, Lalit was asked to deliver a solo performance but he loved his wife so much that this separation could just not be tolerated. Hence, Lalit made numerous mistakes in his performance. The king was informed about this, thanks to one of the courtiers. Irritated, the king cursed Lalit for being overwhelmed by his wife’s love. Lalit was turned into an ugly looking demon.

The king thought that Lalitha would dump his demon husband. Instead, Lalitha immediately came to the king and informed that she would never forsake her husband come what may. The couple set out to find a solution to this curse.

 

One day, they passed by an ashram of Sage Sringi. The entire tale was retold to the sage who then asked the couple to observe the Kamada Ekadashi vrat on this day. As directed, the couple observed the fast and thus, Lalit was relieved from the curse and returned to his normal self. Hence, all religious Hindu devotees observe this vrat on the pretext of getting their desires and wished fulfilled while getting their sins washed away.

 

Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat

 

Varuthini Ekadashi takes place on the 11th day during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Chaitra/Vaisakha in the traditional Hindu calendar. In the North Indian calendars, this Ekadashi is observed during the Krishna Paksha in Adhik Vaisak month while in other regions, it is practiced in the Chaita Krishna Paksha.

 

The followers of Varuthini Ekadashi vrat believe that by observing the Varuthini Ekadashi fast, they can successfully cleanse their sins and seek blessings of happiness, prosperity and wealth. Some even consider that they can attain the ability of performing various types of charities.

 

How To Observe Varuthini Ekadashi Vrat

The Hindu women regard Varuthini Ekadashi vrat to be highly significant as they believe the vrat is a step towards a fortunate phase of life. Also, those observing this fast will be successfully blessed with salvation or ‘Moksha’.

 

The day before Varuthini Ekadashi is known as Dashami day. Devotees who are considering observing a fast refrain themselves from consuming food made from urad dal, red lentils, chickpeas, spinach, kondo and honey. On this day, a single meal is taken. Also no meals are served on a bell metal plate.

 

Apart from abstaining from certain foods, devotees also restrict themselves from indulging in gambling and sex. On the day of Varuthini Ekadashi, the day is spent at home reciting Holy Scriptures, such as Bhagavada Purana, and conversing with people is kept at minimum. Rice, onion, spinach, and betel nuts and leaves are avoided. People usually keep awake during the daytime and at night as well.

 

On the day after Varunithi Ekadashi, known as Dwadasi day, the same schedule is followed as that on Dashami. Men keep away from shaving while everyone observing the vrat avoid an oil bath.

 

Gujarati Panchang - PHAGAN SAMVAT 2071 = FEB 19, 2015 TO MARCH 20, 2015

Feb 19, 2015 - Panchak
Feb 20, 2015 - Panchak
Feb 21, 2015 - Panchak
Feb 22, 2015 - Panchak, Vinayak Chauth

Feb 25, 2015 - Holashtak begins.  Do not perform any "manglik" activities during Holashtak.
Feb 26, 2015 - Durgashtami

March 1, 2015 - Amalaki Ekadashi
March 2, 2015 - Pradosh, Govind Baras

March 5, 2015 - Holi, Holashtak ends, Vrat ni Poonam
March 6, 2015 - Dhuleti, Vasant Utsav

March 9, 2015 - Sankat Chauth

March 13, 2015 - Kalashtami

March 15, 2015 - Minarak Kumurta Begins

March 17, 2015 - Paapmochini Ekadashi
March 18, 2015 - Panchak, Pradosh
March 19, 2015 - Panchak
March 20, 2015 - Panchak, Amas, Khagras Suryagrahan

Amalaki Ekadasi Vrat

Amalaki Ekadashi occurs on the 11th day in the Phalgun month of the Hindu lunar calendar during the waxing or bright phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha).

Dedicated to Amlaki or Gooseberry Tree, observance of this Ekadashi is believed to bring in great prosperity and benefits. In Orissa, this Ekadashi is known as Sarbasammat Ekadasi and is held in Lord Vishnu and Lord Jagannath temples.

Furthermore, if the Ekadashi falls on a Thursday, it is regarded as even more auspicious and is observed with special prayers and rituals. The next day of Amalaki Ekadashi is also considered to be highly fortunate and is known as Govinda Dwadashi.

How To Observe Amalaki Ekadasi Vrat
Legends take us back to the period of King Chaitraratha who ruled the kingdom of Vaidisa. A loyal and passionate devotee of Lord Vishnu, the king and the entire kingdom was rich with no worries, thanks to the blessings of the Lord.

On the day of Amalaki Ekadashi, the king along with his people visited a Vishnu temple situated on the banks of a river. Offerings were made to Lord Vishnu and Amalaki Tree in the premises of the temple. Offerings were also made to Lord Parashurama. In addition, all the followers stayed awake the entire night. A hungry hunter passing by joined the group singing bhajans as he was highly impressed by the devotion of the followers towards Lord Vishnu. With a fresh feeling, the hunter went back home and had his meals.

The hunter passed away after a few years but was reborn as King Vasurath that resulted from his dedicated observance of Amalaki Ekadashi. Once on his expedition, the king lost his way and was trapped by a group of tribes. The tribal people started torturing him with swords and spears considering him to be their enemy. Surprisingly, none of the weapons touched him and he escaped unhurt. The puzzled tribal people were informed about the king’s past from a voice in the sky. Eventually, the king came to know about his past life and since then, started observing the Amalaki Ekadashi vrat. Hence, Amalaki Ekadashi emphasizes on the faith, trust and devotion that can wash away all the sins of a devotee and help him attain salvation.

On this day, special prayers are offered to Amalaki tree and Lord Parashurama. A person practicing the Amalaki Ekadashi fast should cleanse himself with water and offer water to the Amalaki tree. The tree is then worshipped using incense, sandalwood, roli, flowers, etc. Thereafter, the Brahmins are served with meals beneath the Amalaki tree. Most devotees observe a vrat on this day following the rituals demanded on other Ekadashi vrats. Some even keep a vigil in the night. However, some people observe a partial fast, simply abstaining from food made of rice and grains.

Papamochani Ekadasi Vrat

Papamochani Ekadashi, also known as Papamochini Ekadashi or Papamocani Ekadashi, is observed in the month of Chaitra in the traditional North Indian calendar.

 

While in Marathi, Guajarati, Telugu and Kannada calendars, this Ekadashi falls in the month of Falguna. The last of the 24 Ekadashi vrats in a Hindu year, Papamochini Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the waning phase of the moon.

 

This date usually falls in the month of March or April as per the Gregorian calendar. Observing a vrat on Papamochini Ekadashi is highly significant as a sincere devotee can get rid of all his sins committed so far.

How To Observe Papamochani Ekadasi Vrat
Legends revolve around a sage named Medhavi who was a loyal devotee of Lord Shiva. This sage was performing Tapas (austerity) in a forest called Chaitraratha, well-known for bearing beautiful and aromatic flowers.

 

In addition, the forest was often visited by Indra, demigods, apsaras and other heavenly beings. Often the apsaras and damsels of heaven made several attempts of interrupting the meditation of the sage, but in vain. Eventually, an apsara named Manju Ghosa betted upon disturbing the sage’s meditation. Thus, she built a hut close to the sage’s place and started playing the veena along with singing songs.

Soon, the sage set out in search of the song and found the gorgeous Manju Ghosa. On sighting the sage, Manju immediately applied sandalwood paste and wore beautiful flowers. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the apsara, the sage finally lost his concentration and gave up to the apsara. After leading a married life for years, Manju lost interest in the sage and thought of leaving back. At this point, the sage regained his senses and realized that he had been tricked. Annoyed, the sage cursed the apsara and turned her into a witch. Depressed and saddened, the sage returned back to his father Sage Chyavana and narrated the entire tale.

Sage Chyavana asked his son to observe the vrat of Papamochini Ekadashi after which he would be relieved of his sins. As advised, the sage observed the vrat and hence, was able to get rid of his faults. He even asked the apsara to observe the same vrat following which she too would be relieved of the curse.

 

The tern Papamochini has been derived from two words, ‘Papa’ means ‘sin’ and ‘Mochini’ means ‘to escape’. Therefore, Papamochini Ekadashi has been dedicated towards eradicating sins and guilt associated with sins committed. This vrat is observed just like any other Ekadashi vrat while offering prayers and puja to Lord Vishnu.