Rama Ekadashi is one of the most significant Ekadashi fasts that are followed in the Hindu culture. It occurs on the ‘Ekadashi’ of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the Hindu month of ‘Kartik’. This date falls between the months of September to October as per the English calendar. While Rama Ekadashi is celebrated in the month of Kartik as per the North Indian calendar, it falls in the month of ‘Puratassi’ according to the Tamilian calendar. Besides in some regions of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra it falls during the ‘Ashwayuj’ month and is even celebrated in the month of ‘Ashwin’ in some parts of India. Rama Ekadashi occurs four days before the festival of Diwali, the festival of lights. This Ekadashi is also known as ‘Rambha Ekadashi’ or ‘Kartik Krishna Ekadashi’. It is a popular belief that Hindu devotees can wash away their sins by keeping a sacred fast on this Ekadashi.

When is Rama Ekadashi in 2024?

Rama Ekadashi: Monday, October 28, 2024 On 29th October
Paran (breaking the fast) - From 06:39 am to 08:50 am
Dwadashi ends on the day of Paran Tithi - 10:33 a.m.
Ekadashi date starts - October 28, , 2024 at 08:23 am
Ekadashi date ends - October 29, , 2024 at 07:41 am

Rituals of Rama Ekadashi 2024

Keeping fast is an important ritual on the day of Rama Ekadashi. The normal ritual starts from ‘Dashami’, a day before the actual Ekadashi. On this day to followers refrain from eating certain foods and take only ‘Saatvik’ meal once, before sunset. On Ekadashi, they don't eat anything at all. The end of the fasting ritual is known as ‘Parana’ which occurs on the ‘Dwadashi’ tithi. Even for those who are not fasting, eating rice and grains on any Ekadashi is strictly prohibited.

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On this Ekadashi, devotees wake up early and take a holy bath in any water bodies. Lord Vishnu is then worshipped with zeal on this day. Fruits, flowers, incense sticks and dhoop are offered to Lord Vishnu. Followers prepare a special ‘Bhog’ and offer it to the Lord. An aarti is then chanted and then the ‘Prasad’ is distributed among all the family members.

‘Rama’ is also the other name for Goddess Lakshmi. Therefore on this auspicious day, followers also offer prayers to Devi Lakshmi along with Lord Vishnu to seek the blessings of prosperity, health and success.

The followers of the Rama Ekadashi fast maintain vigil all through the night. They participate in the bhajans or kirtans organised on this day. Reciting ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on this day is believed to be auspicious.