Achala Ekadashi

Festival falling on the eleventh day
(ekadashi) of the dark (waning) half of
the lunar month of Jyeshth
(May–June). As are all of the eleventhday observances, this is dedicated to
the worship of the god Vishnu. The
name Achala means “immovable”;
another name for this ekadashi is
apara, meaning “matchless.” The
name refers to the religious merit generated by observing this festival,
which, according to tradition, cannot
be nullified or overturned. Most Hindu
festivals have certain prescribed rites,
usually involving fasting (upavasa)
and worship, and often promise specific benefits for faithful performance.
Individual observance varies depending on a person’s piety and inclinations. Fasting, for instance, can vary
from abstaining only from certain
foods to refraining from all foods during the day. Individuals may go to temples for worship, or they may worship
in their homes. Faithfully observing
this festival is believed to absolve one
of the evil effects of one’s past deeds,
particularly deeds that would result in
birth as a pret, or unquiet spirit, and
also to increase one’s fame, wealth,
and religious merit.