Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is a sacred day to observe a fast by the Vaishnavas. It falls on the ‘ekadashi’ (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) of the month of ‘Pausha’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. This corresponds to the months of December to January in the English calendar. The word ‘Putrada’ in Hindi implies ‘giver of sons’ and as this ekadashi falls during the Hindu month of ‘Pausha’ it is known as ‘Pausha Putrada Ekadashi’.

This ekadashi is mainly observed by couples who desire to be blessed with a son. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with complete dedication and zeal on this day. The Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is very auspicious, especially for followers of Lord Vishnu in the Northern states of the country. In some regions of South India, Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is celebrated as ‘Vaikunta Ekadashi’, ‘Swargavathil Ekadashi’ or ‘Mukkoti Ekadashi’.

Importance of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

In the Hindu society, bearing a son is extremely important as he is the one who looks after the parents during their old age. Also in the Hindu customs, a son is only entitled to offer ‘shraddha’ ritual to his ancestors. Therefore this day of ‘Pausha Putrada Ekadashi’ is dedicated to bestow the couples with a male progeny. There is a total of 24 ekadashis in the Hindu year, with each one having a specific goal. But the power of blessing a couple with a male child is present only in the two ‘putrada’ ekadashis, with one of them being the Pausha Putrada Ekadashi.

Also by observing this sacred fast, all the sins of the person will be pardoned and the observer will enjoy a happy and prosperous life. The greatness of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is mentioned in the ‘Bhavishya Purana’ as a discussion between King Yudhisthira and Lord Krishna. It is known that the virtue of the Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is even more than performing 100 Raja Suya Yagyas or 1000 Ashvamedha Yagyas