Rama Ekadashi

Rama Ekadashi falls in the Krishna paksha of Kartik, and its presiding deities are Lakshmi, known as Rama, and Vishnu together. The name is not the king of Ayodhya but Rama as a name of Lakshmi, which makes this one of the few Ekadashis where the goddess shares the spotlight. In many years it falls a few days before Diwali, and so households often keep it while cleaning and decorating their homes.

The Brahma Vaivarta Purana story is about King Muchukunda, who kept this fast and asked his daughter Chandrabhaga to do the same. Her husband Shobhana, who was physically weak, came to visit and found himself bound by the family custom to fast. He did so, though it was a heavy trial, and died at the end of the day. Because of the merit of the vrata, tradition says he attained a beautiful celestial city. Chandrabhaga, who kept the fast faithfully, was later reunited with him. The tale is notable for its attention to a frail person and to the strain that fasting can bring.

Devotees worship Lakshmi and Vishnu, light lamps and avoid grains. Some use the day to start Diwali-week preparations in a calm spirit. The fast is ended on the dvadashi morning. Given the story's warning about weakness, many families stress that people with frailty, illness, pregnancy or advanced age should not push through a strict fast, and a doctor should always be consulted on what is safe.