Papankusha Ekadashi

Religious observance falling on the
eleventh day (ekadashi) of the bright
(waxing) half of the lunar month of
Ashvin (September–October). As with
all the eleventh-day observances, it is
dedicated to the worship of Vishnu.
Most Hindu festivals have certain
prescribed rites, which usually involve
fasting (upavasa) and worship (puja),
and often promise specific benefits for
faithful performance. This ekadashi’s
name indicates that it is the goad
(ankusha) to drive away all evil (pap),
here fancifully conceived as an elephant.
Thus, faithfully observing this festival is
believed to cleanse one of all one’s sins.