The two Ekadashis of the year are known as Putrada Ekadashi. The Ekadashi of Paush and Shravan Shukla Paksha is called Putrada Ekadashi. Putrada Ekadashi of Paush month has more importance in North Indian states whereas Putrada Ekadashi of Shravan month has more importance in other states.
In Hinduism, there are some important rites at the time of death, which are performed only by the son. The soul of the parents attains salvation only by the last rites of the son. After the death of the parents, the regular ritual of Shradh is also performed by the son. It is believed that by performing Shradh, the soul of the deceased gets satisfaction.
Couples who do not get son happiness in life, they remain very upset. Putra Ekadashi fast is observed for the attainment of son's happiness. Putrada Ekadashi fasting is very important for those couples who do not have any son.
Shravan Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is known as Pavitopana Ekadashi or Pavitra Ekadashi in the Vaishnava community.
The end of the fast of Ekadashi is called Parana. Parana is done after sunrise on the next day of Ekadashi fast. It is very important to break the Ekadashi fast before the end of Dwadashi Tithi. If Dwadashi tithi ends before sunrise, then Ekadashi fast ends only after sunrise. Not doing Parana on Dwadashi Tithi is tantamount to committing a sin.
Ekadashi fast should not be broken even in Hari Vasar. Devotees observing the fast must wait for the end of Hari Vasara before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is the period of the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi. The best time to break the fast is in the morning. The devotees observing the fast should avoid breaking the fast in the afternoon. For some reason, if a person is not able to do the Parana in the morning, then he should do the Parana afternoon.
Sometimes Ekadashi fast is observed for two consecutive days. When the Ekadashi fast is of two days, then on the first day the members of the clever family should observe the Ekadashi fast. The second day of the Ekadashi is called the 'Dooji Ekadashi'. Sannyasis, widows and devotees wishing to attain salvation should observe a fast on Duji Ekadashi. Whenever Ekadashi fast is of two days, Duji Ekadashi and Vaishnava Ekadashi fall on the same day.
