Papankusha Ekadashi - The Day to Worship Lord Vishnu

Papankusha Ekadashi is the 11th day of Dashain festival which falls on ekadashi tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha. Out of 24 ekadashi, Papankusha is one of the most auspicious ekadashi. So, they worship Padmanabha Vishnu on Papankusha Ekadashi. They believe that lord Vishnu forgives all their sins on this day. Papankusha consists of two words 'Pap' and ankusha which means 'sins' and 'goad'.

Hindu people celebrating dashain festival only eat fruits and pure food items on Papankusha Ekadashi. It's customary to fast on this day so they avoid food such as meat, fish and eggs. People wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Following the bath, they wear clean clothes, and start to fast. Then they visit the nearby Lord Vishnu temple to worship. It is customary to listen to the Ekadashi glory or Ekadashi Mahatmya after worshiping Lord Vishnu.

People believe that 10 generations from the maternal line, ten generations from the patriarchal side, and ancestors from the devotee's clan would reach Vaikuntha if they observe the fasting on this Ekadashi.

Legends and myths about Papankusha Ekadashi

Even, the Gita section (conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjun) of Mahabharata describes this Ekadashi. Lord Krishna addresses Arjun to worship Lord Padmanabha and follow fasting. Krishna has said that these religious rites such as fasting on ekadashi; anyone can get a better result than diving in the Ganga, Gaya, Kashi, or Pushkar Rivers.

People fast during the day and chant hymns (Bhajan-Kirtan) at night. believe the fast helps them gain salvation in Lord Vishnu's footsteps after death.