2016 Vamana Dwadashi Date and Puja Timings for Lancaster, California, United States

Vamana Dwadashi 2016

According to the Hindu Panchang, the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi Tithi of Chaitra month is celebrated as Vamana Dwadashi. On this day, devotees observe a fast and worship Lord Vishnu to please Him. It is believed that by worshipping Lord Vishnu in His Vamana form on Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi, one attains immense spiritual merit. On Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi, the Madana Dwadashi Vrat is also observed. As a result of performing this Vrat, Goddess Diti was blessed with forty-nine sons, known as the Marudganas.

Lord Vamana is regarded as the fifth incarnation among the Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu. According to the scriptures, it was on this day Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi that Lord Vamana obtained dominion over the Triloka from King Bali for the welfare of the deities. Therefore, Lord Vamana is worshipped on this day with great devotion.

According to descriptions found in the Bhavishya Purana and Matsya Purana, one should worship Lord Vishnu in His original, supreme Shri Mahavishnu form on Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi. These Puranas also mention the observance of the Madan Dwadashi Vrat, in which Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Kamadeva along with Goddess Rati.

The Bhavishya Purana also describes the Malla Dwadashi Vrat, prescribing the worship of Lord Vishnu in His original, all-pervading form on Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi. Malla Dwadashi Vrat is observed beginning from the Margashirsha Shukla Dwadashi and continues until the Kartika Shukla Dwadashi. During this period, each month Lord Vishnu is worshipped under His twelve sacred names known as Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Shridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha and Damodara.

Vamana Dwadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi - General

After taking a bath in the morning and completing daily rituals, wear yellow garments and make a Sankalpa or vow of observance for fast. After that worship Lord Vamana in the following manner.

• Cleanse and sanctify the place of worship and install the image or idol of Lord Vamana on a wooden platform.
• Perform Shodashopachara Puja of the Lord using water, sandal paste, flowers, rice grains, Tulsi leaves, incense, Dipa and Naivedya.
• Chant the Om Vamanaya Namah। (ॐ वामनाय नमः।) and Om Namo Bhagavate Trivikramaaya। (ॐ नमो भगवते त्रिविक्रमाय।) Mantras with devotion.
• After worship, perform Aarti of Lord Vamana and observe a fast throughout the day.
• During the night, stay awake while singing and remembering the glories of Lord Vamana, reciting the Vamana Ashtottara Shatanamavali and other hymns.
• The next morning, donate food grains to a Brahmin along with Dakshina to conclude the fast.

By performing the Vamana Dwadashi Vrat in this manner, one attains long life, wealth, fame and righteousness. This fast is considered especially sacred for Vaishnavas. Hence, it is well established that Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi is celebrated as Vamana Dwadashi and by worshipping Lord Vishnu in His Vamana form, one attains Moksha.

Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi Vrat Puja Vidhi - As per Narada Purana

According to the Narada Purana, one should observe a fast on the Dwadashi of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month and worship Lord Vishnu with the Namoastu Vishnave Tubhyam। (नमोऽस्तु विष्णवे तुभ्यम्।) Mantra. Perform Abhisheka of the deity with one seer of milk, or if possible, with one seer of Ghee also. Remain awake at night and worship the Lord three times.

The next morning, after completing daily purifications, wear clean garments and perform a Havan with 108 oblations using a mixture of honey, Ghee and sesame seeds, while reciting the above Mantra. Then, offer one Adhaka (four Seers) of rice along with Dakshina to a Brahmin, chanting the following Mantra -

Meaning - "Lord Mahavishnu, who is the very embodiment of life and the giver of life to all beings, may Lord Janardana be pleased with me through this offering of one Adhaka of rice."

By observing Chaitra Shukla Dwadashi Vrat in this manner, one becomes free from all sins and attains eight times merit to performing Atyagnishtoma Yajna.