Damodara Dwadashi

There are numerous observances dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Hindu religion. This is mainly because Lord Vishnu is part of the triumvirate of Brahma Vishnu Maheswar and also he is the preserver of the Universe.

Lord Vishnu has taken incarnations in various ages to destroy evil and preserve this universe in various names. He has always manifested himself to uphold the path of righteousness.

Thus various observances are there to worship Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings in life. Damodar Dwadashi is also a ritual or vrat observed diligently by the devotees to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Damodara Dwadashi is observed on the dwadashi of Shukla paksha of Shravan month as per traditional Hindu calendar or according to the Gregorian calendar it falls in the waxing phase of the moon in the month of August.

The previous day of the Damodara Dwadashi is observed as the Pavitra Ekadashi Vrat or the Putrada Ekadashi. And is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Damodara is amongst the numerous names of Lord Vishnu. Devotees observing the Putrada Ekadashi or the Pavitra Ekadashi would often break their fast on this dwadashi day after worshipping Lord Vishnu and offering Naivedyam to him and then having it as Prasad.

Observing the Damodara Dwadashi fasting and vrat can bring the devotee immense benefits. It is believed that worshipping Lord Vishnu on the Shravan month is equivalent to worshipping Lord Shiva on the Shravan Month. It is considered beneficial and auspicious to donate rice, grains, fruits and clothes to Brahmins on this day.

The rituals of observing this vrat are multiple and are as following –

- Having a cleansing and ritual bath in the morning.
- Observing a whole day fasting, and avoid grains and beans.
- Offering Lord Vishnu incense, flowers, water, lamps and a fan.
- Performing a panchamrit of Lord Vishnu.
- Visiting Vishnu temples and listening to Vishnu sahasranama stotram and Bhagavatam.
- Donating clothes and grains to Brahmins as alms and charity.

It is believed that devotees who observe this vrat gains moksha or the ultimate salvation. Observing this vrat brings unbelievable benefits to the devotees. Observing this vrat in the month of Sharavan is significant as, shravan is not only significant as they favored month by Lord Shiva, but also as the month when with the onset of monsoon all the agricultural work is started, and droughts are prevented by the rainfall and crops are harvested for grains and pulses.