With the beginning of the New calendar year, we will also see a lot of festivals and vrat of religious importance being observed. The first auspicious celebration of Putrada Ekadashi will be marked on January 6 this year. This is a holy day which is supposed to bless a family with a good son. Since it falls in the Hindu calendar month of Paush, the day is also called as Paush Putrada Ekadashi. On this day couples hold a fast and pray to Lord Vishnu for a good son. Ahead of this auspicious celebration, we will tell you a little more about the history, significance, Puja vidhi and shubh muhurat of this day.

Paush Putrada Ekadashi Date and Shubh Muhurat

Putrada Ekadashi typically falls between the months of December- January. It falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Pausha. This year, Pausha Putrada Ekadashi will be celebrated on January 6. The Ekadashi Tithi will begin at 03:06 AM on January 06 and go on till 04:02 AM on January 7. 

Paush Putrada Ekadashi History and Significance

As per the legends, the tale of  Putrada Ekadashi is narrated by Lord Krishna to the king Yudhishthira. The king of Bhadravati, Suketuman and his queen Shaibya were unhappy because they were unable to have a child. Even the ancestors of this couple were worried as they would have no one to perform the Shraddha ritual and rites of the dead. These are certain rituals performed after death which bring peace to the departed souls. Out of frustration, the king left his kingdom and went to a forest. In the forest, he met the sages on the bank of Lake Manasarovar on the same day as Putrada Ekadashi. They advised the king to keep the fast and he complied. The king then returned to his kingdom and was blessed with a son, who went on to become a great king in future.

Putrada Ekadashi Puja Vidhi

  • Get up early and offer a prayer to Lord Vishnu.

  • Take a bath and wear clean clothes.

  • For the Puja, take an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu and make a sankalp of keeping a fast of Lord Vishnu.

  • Clean the idol of Lord Vishnu with water.

  • Offer haldi, kumkum and flowers to the Lord.

  • Give a prasad of fruits and place flowers near the Lord while offering them.

  • Light a diya near the idol and seek his blessings.

  • Do not eat anything for the whole day and break your fast by having some fruits.

One can also visit Lord Vishnu temples and offer your prayers. The vrat is said to fulfil one's wishes of bearing a child. So on this auspicious day, keep the fast if you are looking for santan prapti (birth of a baby) in your family.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2020 03:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).