Rama Ekadashi 2019
Rama Ekadashi appears in ‘Kartik maas’. it is on 2019 is on October 24, Thursday. Bananas are offered to Shri Thakurji as Bhog Samagri.
Rama Ekadashi comes after Papankusha ekadashi and is followed by Prabodhani ekadashi Rama Ekadashi falls four days before the celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights. This ekadashi is also referred as ‘Rambha Ekadashi’ . It is a popular conviction that Hindu devotees can wash away their sins by keeping a sacred fast on this day.
Rituals of Rama Ekadashi:
Fasting is an important ritual on the day of Rama Ekadashi. This ritual starts from ‘dashami’, a day before the actual ekadashi. The end of the fasting ritual called as ‘Parana’ occurs on the ‘dwadashi’ tithi. Even for those not fasting, consuming rice and grains on any ekadashi is strictly prohibited.
On the day of Rama Ekadashi devotees get up early and take a holy bath in any water bodies. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with devotion on this day. Fruits, flowers, incense sticks and dhoop is offered to Lord Vishnu.
‘Rama’ is another name for Goddess Lakshmi. Therefore on this auspicious day, devotees also offer prayers to Devi Lakshmi along with Lord Vishnu to seek the blessings of prosperity, health and happiness.
The observer of the Rama Ekadashi fast maintains vigil all through the night. They contribute in the bhajans or kirtans organised on this day. Reading ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on this day is believed to be auspicious