Rama Ekadashi is one of the strictly observed fasts in Hindu culture. It occurs on the “Ekadashi” date of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. This year, the auspicious day falls on October 21. However, Rama Ekadashi falls in the ‘Puratasi’ month of the Tamil calendar and is highly revered by devotees.
On this day, people observe a fast according to their capacity – Nirjala (even without water) liquid-based fast, fasting without grains or pulses… Devotees wake up early in the morning, preferably around 4 pm during the Brahmamuhurta period. To seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu’s Rama avatar. They take bath before sunrise and chant the holy names of the Lord.
Sacred mantras that can be recited on this particular day include the recitation of the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranama, Sita Rama Ashtakam, other hymns dedicated to Lord Rama or an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The fast ends with the sunrise of the next day, which is known as Dwadashi Tithi. The ritual of breaking the fast in the morning on the day of Dwadashi is ‘Parana’ or fasting.
A day to worship Goddess Lakshmi
‘Rama’ is one of the names of Goddess Lakshmi. The Ekadashi tithi is attributed to the goddess before Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. Along with worshiping Lord Vishnu, the devotees also worship the Mother Goddess. It is considered auspicious to worship with Lakshmi coins while reciting the 108 holy names of Goddess Lakshmi.