Saphala Ekadashi – 20th December
Budha Pradosha Vratam – 21st December
Anvadhan and Ishti – 23rd & 24th December
Saphala Ekadashi:
- Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
- Ekadashi Tithi Begins – 09:02 AM on Dec 19, 2022
- Ekadashi Tithi Ends – 08:02 AM on Dec 20, 2022
- Parana (breaking the fast) Time – 21st Dec, 05:41 AM to 06:15 AM
- Parana (breaking the fast) Day Dwadashi End Moment – 21st Dec, 06:15 AM
Parana: Means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on the next day of the Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offense.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is the first one-fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna (midday). If due for some reason one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on the first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Budha Pradosha Vratam: December 21, 2022, Wednesday, 08:06 to 10:01
Pradosh Vrat, which is also known as Pradosham in South India, is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Pradosh Vrat is observed on both Trayodashi Tithis, i.e. Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and Krishna Paksha Trayodashi, in a lunar month. Some people distinguish between Shukla and Krishna Paksha Pradosham.
When Pradosham day falls on Monday it is called Soma Pradosham, on Tuesday it is called Bhauma Pradosham and on Saturday it is called Shani Pradosham.
For Pradosham Vrat, the day is fixed when Trayodashi Tithi falls during Pradosh Kaal which starts after Sunset. The time window after Sunset when Trayodashi Tithi and Pradosh time overlaps is auspicious for Shiva Puja.
Location-based Pradosham: Fasting day for Pradosham might differ for two cities even if those cities are within the same Indian state. Fasting for Pradosham depends on sunset time and it is observed when Trayodashi Tithi prevails after sunset. Hence Pradosham fasting might be observed on Dwadashi Tithi i.e. one day before Trayodashi Tithi as Sunset time is different for all cities.
Anvadhan and Ishti: (इष्टि एवं अन्वाधान) are significant events in Hindu calendar. Followers of Hinduism, especially followers of Vaishnava Sampradaya, observe a day-long fast on the day of Anvadhan and perform Yajna on the day of Ishti.
There are different opinions on observing the dates of Ishti and Anvadhan which creates unnecessary doubts among followers. Drik Panchang Panditji has given widely accepted dates of Ishti and Anvadhan which would be applicable to most of the followers.
