Parivartini Ekadashi

When to do the puja

Quick facts

• Also known asParshva Ekadashi, Vamana Ekadashi, Jaljhulni Ekadashi (Rajasthan), Dol Gyaras
• WhereAll of India; as Jaljhulni in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
• Puja forVamana (Vishnu)
• In one lineVishnu turns over in his yogic sleep today, and he is worshipped as Vamana.

Parivartini Ekadashi, in a little more detail

1. 01

   About the festival

   Parivartan means a turn. Vishnu, asleep on the ocean of milk since Ashadhi Ekadashi, turns from one side to the other today, and sleeps on until Kartiki Ekadashi.

   So today is for Vamana's puja. The fast is the usual one, with a night vigil, and if you can, a gift of curd-rice and a little silver, the telling says.

   Today's lesson: even in his sleep, God turns over. Halfway through the year, stop and look too: where do you need a change?

2. 02

   Vishnu in Bali's home

   Bali, Prahlad's grandson, was born an asura but was devoted to Vishnu. He even won Indra's heaven. So Indra, the gods and the sages went to Vishnu.

   Vishnu came as Vamana, a young Brahmin dwarf, and with a gift of three steps took the three worlds back from Bali. Bali kept his word.

   Then Vishnu kept his: I will live in your palace for ever. In this telling, it was on Parivartini Ekadashi that Bali set up an image of Vishnu in his home.

3. 03

   In Maharashtra and beyond

   In Maharashtra this Ekadashi falls during Ganeshotsav, three days before Anant Chaturdashi. Ganpati in every home, and with him the fast and Vitthal puja.

   In Rajasthan it's Jaljhulni Ekadashi: in Udaipur, idols of the child Krishna are carried in procession to Gangaur Ghat and swung over the waters of Lake Pichola. Near Chittorgarh, the Sanwaliya Seth temple holds a big three-day fair.

   In Madhya Pradesh it's called Dol Gyaras. In Bhopal, many Ganpatis go for immersion from this day.

   In Gujarat, the Dwarkadhish temple and Swaminarayan temples take out a shobha yatra.

How to do the puja

In short: A light meal on Dashami, the fast and the Name on Ekadashi, and parana after sunrise on Dwadashi.

1. 1Eat light the day before, on Dashami.One simple meal is enough. Nothing heavy at night, so your stomach is light on Ekadashi.
2. 2Pick the tulsi leaves for the puja the day before.In many homes tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi.
3. 3Bathe in the morning on Ekadashi and make your sankalp for the fast.Decide in your mind: no water at all, water only, fruit and milk, or one fasting meal.
4. 4Worship Vishnu or Vitthal.Offer a lamp, incense, sandalwood paste, flowers and tulsi leaves, with fruit or milk as naivedya.
5. 5Keep the fast you chose through the day.Leave out rice, wheat, jowar, bajra and dals. Offer your fasting food to God first, then eat.
6. 6Spend the day with the name.The Haripath, the Vishnu Sahasranama, bhajans, or the story of that Ekadashi on this page.
7. 7In the evening, light the lamp again and do the aarti.Many stay up singing bhajans (jagran). If you work tomorrow, a little while is enough.
8. 8Break the fast after sunrise on Dwadashi.If your panchang gives a parana time, keep to it. Offer naivedya first, then eat.

What you needTick as you go

• An image of Vishnu or Vitthal
• Tulsi leaves (picked the day before)
• Flowers
• Sandalwood paste
• A diya and ghee
• Incense
• Fruit or milk for naivedya
• The Haripath or the Vishnu Sahasranama
• For the fasting meal: sabudana, vari, peanuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes

Frequently asked questions