The Ekadasi chosen to start Ekadasi fasting is the one falling during the waning phase of the moon in the month of November/December and it is known as Utpanna or Utpatti Ekadasi. When you start from this Ekadasi you will fast for 24 Ekadashis in a year. This Ekadasi falls during the Krishna Paksha of Margashirsha month as per traditional North Indian calendar. The corresponding period in other major calendars is the Krishna Paksha of Kartik Month.



In Tamil Calendars the month is the Aippasi or the Karthigai Masam. In Malayalam calendars it is the Thulam or the Vrischika Masam. In Orissa, it is the Margashar month.
Once begun many devotees observe the Ekadasi fasting for a year. Sometimes the devotees continue it for their entire life.
Ekadasi fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and falls on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight as per traditional Hindu calendar. It is believed that observing Ekadasi fasting will help in redemption of sins and in attaining Moksha.

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A darshan of Lord Ayyappa at the SabarimalaAyyappaTemple is only complete when it is made after climbing the 18 holy steps. Atop the 18 steps is the shrine of Lord Ayyappa and below the 18 steps is the Aazhi or the huge bonfire lit using coconut.

There is a popular belief that the 18 steps symbolically represent the 18 Puranas.

Another symbolism suggests that the 18 steps are a combination of Pancha bhutas, Ashta Ragas, the three gunas, vidya and Avidya.

There are also many scholars who suggest that the significance of the 18 steps is based on Yoga – as Lord Ayyappa is sitting in a yoga posture at the temple.
As per yoga, in a human body the sushma nadi marga has six chakras and each has three steps. After passing these 18 steps the kundalini Shakti is believed to merge with the Brahman.

So those people who believe that the significance of the 18 steps is based on yoga suggest that the huge bonfire or Aazhi on the base of the 18 steps is the Kundalini energy in a human being and this…

The 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival observed at the famous Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, culminates with the Maha Deepam lit atop the Anamalai Hills. Thiruvannamalai Deepam 2018 date is November 23, Friday.


Symbolism of Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple - Karthigai Deepam The Maha Deepam represents Lord Shiva, who appeared in the form of a pillar of fire with no end and beginning (Jyotirlinga) before Brahma and Vishnu.

Karthigai Deepam festival, observed in Tamil month Kartika, is more than 3000 years old and is mentioned in the early Tamil scriptures.
Story of Thiruvannamalai Deepam  Legend has it once Lord Vishnu and Brahma wanted to know who was the greatest. After an intense debate they sought the help of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva said that he who can find the origin or end of his form is the greatest. Lord Shiva appeared before Lord Vishnu and Brahma in the form of a pillar of fire with no beginning and end. This form is referred as Jyotirlin…

Libra Zodiac is known as Tula Rashi in Hindu Astrology and this December 2018 Rashifal is based on Moon astrology. In December 2018, Tula Rashi born people will face few ups and downs. Professionals will have to play by rules for better prospects. It is an ideal month to make long-term investments, especially in property. Family members will be of great help. Tula Rashi December 2018 Good Dates Good, lucky and auspicious dates in December 2018 for Tula Rashi, or Libra Zodiac, are December 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28 and December 31.

Tula Rashi December 2018 predictions Professionals will have enough opportunity to show their talent. Don’t hesitate to take advice from experts in your field when needed. Not the ideal time to change career. Business people will not be happy with the current rate of progress but there will be no major financial losses.
People born in the rashi might show unnecessary worry regarding money matters. They might not be happy with the curre…

Tripurari Purnima is the full moon day in the Kartik month in a traditional Hindu calendar. Tripuri Purnima 2018 date is November 22. The popular belief is that to restore Dharma, Lord Shiva killed demon Tripurasura and destroyed the Tripuri or three cities built by him on the day. The day is also popularly known as Kartik Poornima.


Importance - Pujas - Rituals Tripurari Purnima also marks the end of the month long Kartik Snan and vrat in North India.The day also marks the end of the Kartik Brata in Orissa.The Tulsi Vivah rituals also end on the day.Tripurari Purnima day is also observed as Dev Diwali in some regions. It is believed to be the Diwali of Devas as Lord Shiva liberated from the clutches of the oppressive rule of Demon Tripurasura. Tripurari Purnima Puja Time The puja is performed when there is Nishita Kaal. This means that for the puja to be performed Purnima should be present at midnight.
Story Tripurari Purnima Legend has it that a powerful demon named Tripuri or Tripur…

Vaikunth Chaturdashi is observed on the 14th day of the waxing phase of the moon (Shukla Paksha) in Kartik month. The day is dedicated to the relationship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva gifted the Sudarshana Chakra to Lord Vishnu on this day. Vaikuntha Chaturdashi 2018 date is November 22. The day is of great significance in many temples in North and Western parts of India.


How to do Vaikunth Chaturdashi Puja?The puja should be performed facing east.Offer prayers to Shiva and Vishnu. Chant simple mantras dedicated to the deities.Mix cow ghee and kesar and lit the lamp using it.Agarbatti used should be of sandalwood paste.Kesar should be offered to the deity.The flower offered should be lotus.Prasad or bhog should be prepared using corn. Corn flour kheer is mainly offered.Abhishek should be performed using water, fragrant water (attar), sugar and curd.The mantra that is chanted on the day is: ॐ ह्रीं ॐ हरिणाक्षाय नमः शिवाय॥The ideal time to perform the p…

Kaisika Ekadasi is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ekadasi day or the waxing phase of moon in Kartik month as per Tamil calendar and is of great significance in Vishnu temples in South India. Kaisika Ekadasi 2018 date is November 19. It is believed that on this day Bhagavan Vishnu proved to the world through Nampaduvan and a Brahma Rakshas that birth and caste are mere physical and what matters is devotion and adherence to truth. Kaisika is the name of a Ragam or Tune.


The greatness of Kaisika Ekadasi is found in the Kaisika Puranam which is part of the Varaha Purana.
Nampaduvan was born in a Chandala family, a low class family. But he was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. He used to daily sing praise of Vishnu in a temple. Once on Kartik Shukla Ekadasi, while he was going for his daily prayer, he was stopped by a Brahma Rakshas (fierce ghostly form). The Rakshas had not eaten food for several days.
The Rakshas wanted to eat Nampaduvan immediately. Nampaduvan was ready to offer himself as f…

Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon (1883-1959) was a modern-day Advatin. Here are a collection of his quotes and teachings from various sources. The thoughts have been collected over a 10-year period.
To the individual soul (ego) everything is outside. To God, everything is inside. To the Sage there is neither inside nor outside. He is beyond both.
Human effort consists of creating bondage for oneself, clinging fast to it, and wanting to become free without giving up bondage itself.


Memory is a false witness, because it was not present at the time of the activity reported as being remembered.
The truth is now and here. So it is everywhere. If it is not first found now and here, it will be found nowhere else and at no other time.
Self-forgetfulness is the cause of the creation of the world, and self-remembrance or withdrawal to the Self is the destruction of the world.

One realizes neither as a direct result of renunciation, nor as a direct result of action; but only through the deepest convic…

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on Monday, November 19, 2018 – Shukla Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon  in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It isShukla Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11:55 AM on November 19. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwadasi Tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 12:40 PM on November 20. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India.)All time based on India Standard Time.
Good – Auspicious time on November 19, 2018, as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 2:30 PM.
Nakshatra – Uttarabhadra or Uthrattathi Nakshatra till 4:28 PM on November 19. Then onward it is Revati Nakshatra till 5:40 PM on November 20. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India.)
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Uttarabhadra or Uthrattathi Naksh…

The full moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai is observed as Vishnu Deepam by Lord Vishnu devotees (Vaishnavites). Vishnu Deepam is celebrated by lighting bonfire known as Sokka Panai in Vishnu shrines. In 2018, the date of Vishnu Deepam is November 23. The day is popularly known as Karthigai Deepam – when all houses and temples will be decorated with oil lamps after sunset.


The reason for the festival is based on Lord Vamana (Lord Trivikrama) incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vamana sending King Bali to the underworld is the basis of Vishnu Deepam.

It is said that the two steps of Lord Vamana are the Uttarayan and vernal equinox. And the third step which sends Bali to the underworld is the autumn equinox. The bonfire lit on Vishnu Deepam remembers this event.

Vishnu Deepam is also observed as Yanai Pandigai by some communities in South India.