Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

Story of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

King Suketuman and Queen Shaibya of Bhadravati had no child, and the king worried who would perform the ancestors' rites after him. One day he went hunting and reached the Manasa lake, where sages were gathered. They told him it was Pausha Shukla Ekadashi, the Putrada Ekadashi, and that anyone who kept it with faith would be blessed with a son. The king kept the vrat with the queen. Some time later a son was born, and the line of the kingdom was secure.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Pausha Putrada Ekadashi

In South India this day is celebrated as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, when the "gate of Vaikuntha" (Paramapada Vasal) is opened at Vishnu temples such as Srirangam and Tirupati. It is one of the biggest festivals there.

The tradition says that keeping Pausha Putrada Ekadashi gives the blessing of a child and a long family line. It falls in Pausha Shukla Paksha and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Pausha Putrada Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.