December Fasts

Kalashtami

The eighth day of the second half of the month of Kartik is observed by fasting and the night is spent in prayers. As the legend goes that on this day Kala Bhairav, a creation of Lord Shiva, in his wrath chopped off one of the five heads of Lord Brahma and returned to Banaras. Since then Kala Bhairav has been the presiding deity of the sacred city (Banaras). The local Hindus observe this day annually in his honour.

Pooja is held at 12:00 am. The next day is also followed by pooja in noon. This celebration is held for one and half day.

Saphala Ekadashi

Pausha-Krishna Ekadasi is also known as Saphala Ekadasi. Lord Krishna once told Yudhistara that he gets pleased by those devotees who observe a full fast on Ekadashi to the best of their ability. And moreover observance of this fast benefits the whole humanity. Thus, on this sacred day one should worship Lord Narayana.

On this day fruits (specially mangoes, guava, pomegranate), betel nut and leaves, coconut, varieties of nuts, cloves and different types of aromatic spices are offered to Lord Krishna and this is followed by performing meditation. Incense sticks and ghee lamps are lighted in front of the idol.

Its is expected from the devotee to stay awake all night long, chanting and praying glories of Lord. It is believed that no sacrifice or pilgrimage undertaken can equal the yields one gains by observing this fast

Myth I
Once there was a city called Champaavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Maahishmata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in sinful activities. His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Maahishmata.

Lumpaka also became very critical of the numerous devas and the brahmins. At last King Maahishmata, seeing the unrepentant condition of his son, exiled him to a forest.

Out of fear of the King, even compassionate relatives didn't come to Lumpaka's defence. The fallen and rejected Lumpaka thought to himself that during the day time he shall stay in the forest and in the night would sneak back into the city under the cover of darkness and plunder its wealth during the night.

He killed many animals by day, and by night he stole valuable items from the city. The city-dwelling folk apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king they left him alone.

He resided under an old banyan tree that unknown to him happened to be very dear to Lord Vaasudeva. In due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and condemnable activities, the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived. On the eve of Ekadasi, Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of severe cold. The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost of his very life. By the time the sun rose he was nearly dead. In fact all that Ekadasi morning he remained in that stupor.

When midday of the Saphala Ekadasi arrived, the sinful Lumpaka finally managed to rise up from his place under that banyan tree. But with every step he took, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Like a lame man, he walked slowly, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of the jungle. So weak was Lumpaka that he couldn't even kill a single animal the whole day.

He was rather reduced to collecting whatever fruits that had fallen to the ground. By the time he returned to his banyan tree home, the sun had set.

Placing the fruits on the ground next to him, Lumpaka began to cry asking for mercy. He then offered fruits to the Lord to pardon him for his wrongdoings.

Again he was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep. Pleased Lord Krishna accepted Lumpaka's fruit offering. He had unwittingly observed a full Ekadasi fast and by the merit of which he regained his kingdom with no further obstacles.

The very next day he started looking like a handsome prince. He mounted the horse and rode back to the city of Champaavati.