Pausha PutradaEkadashi
‖ 18 January 2027 (Monday) ‖
Pausha Shukla Ekadashi — "Putrada", the Ekadashi that grants children. There are two Putrada Ekadashis in the year; this is the one in Pausha, the other falls in Shravana.
Pausha Putrada Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Pausha, in winter. Childless couples keep it praying for a child, and parents keep it for their children’s wellbeing. In the tradition the word "putra" here stands for a child of either sex — son or daughter.
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The story of King Suketuman
In the account of the Bhavishya Purana, King Suketuman of Bhadravati was childless, and in his grief he left for the forest. Wandering, he came to an ashram of sages on the bank of a lake — and the day was Pausha Shukla Ekadashi. On the sages’ advice the king kept the Putrada fast and broke it on Dwadashi. By the power of that fast he was blessed with a child.
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Two Putrada Ekadashis
Two Ekadashis in the year carry the name Putrada — one in Pausha Shukla, the other in Shravana Shukla. Their fruit and spirit are the same: the gift of children and their wellbeing. The Pausha Putrada is the more widely kept in north India, the Shravana one in the south.
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A prayer at Baba’s court
Shri Khatu Shyam Ji is Krishna’s own form in the age of Kali, and Ekadashi is the day dear to Vishnu-Krishna. Devotees who come to the court of "Hare ka Sahara" with the wish for a child keep this fast remembering Baba — a day for praying with faith and patience.
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Sattvic food, restraint and continence from the night of Dashami.
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Bathe at dawn on Ekadashi and worship Lord Vishnu / Shyam Baba; it is auspicious for husband and wife to take the sankalp together.
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Offer tulsi leaves, incense, a lamp and naivedya; read the Vishnu Sahasranama or a Shyam stavan.
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Keep the fast through the day, without food or on fruit; a night vigil and the offering of lamps are held to be especially fruitful.
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Break the fast on Dwadashi morning after bathing and puja, sharing food or sweets with children.
Pausha Putrada Ekadashi — FAQ
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Why is the Pausha Putrada Ekadashi fast kept?
It is kept praying for children and for their wellbeing. In the Bhavishya Purana story, the childless King Suketuman was blessed with a child by the power of this fast.
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What is the difference between Pausha Putrada and Shravana Putrada Ekadashi?
Their name, fruit and spirit are the same — the blessing of children. The only difference is the month: one falls on Pausha Shukla Ekadashi, the other on Shravana Shukla Ekadashi.
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Is this fast only for a son?
No. In the tradition "Putrada" stands for children as such — the fast is kept for a son or a daughter alike, and for their wellbeing.