Baruthani Ekadashi

Festival falling on the eleventh day
(ekadashi) of the dark, or waning, half
of the lunar month of Baisakh, which
takes place within April and May. The
festival is dedicated to the worship of
Vishnu, especially in his Vamana
avatar, which is his fifth incarnation.
Most Hindu festivals have certain
prescribed rites, usually involving fasting (upavasa) and worship, and often
promise specific benefits for faithful
performance. Those observing this ritual should abstain from anger and
backbiting and eat food that is prepared without salt or oil. The name
Baruthani means “armored” or “protected,” and faithfully observing this
festival is believed to protect one from
all evil and grant enormous good fortune. In the charter myth, an ascetic
whose foot has been chewed off by a
wild beast regains the limb by performing this ritual.