Dwadashi Explained

Dwadashi,^[1] also rendered Dvadashi, is the twelfth lunar day (tithi)^[2] of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) fortnight, or Paksha, of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar.^[3]

Dwadashi is regarded to be suitable for the veneration of the sacred tulasi tree and the worship of Vishnu. It marks the end of the three-day ekadashi fast, starting on dashami.

Occasions

• The Kurma Dwadashi is dedicated to the worship of Kurma, the second avatar of Vishnu.
• The Govinda Dwadashi or Narasimha Dwadashi, which falls in the month of Phalguna, celebrates the Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu, before Holi.
• The Rama Lakshmana Dwadashi is important for begetting a son.
• The Vamana Dwadashi, also called Onam, venerates Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu, and the visit of Mahabali.^[4]
• The Govatsa Dwadashi is the first day of celebrations on Diwali, on which cows are worshiped as symbolic to mothers; nourishing mankind, and being the chief means of livelihood and religious sanctity in rural India.^[5]
• The Dwadashi marks the Sripada Vallabha Aradhana Utsav of Sripada Sri Vallabha, at Pithapuram Datta Mahasamsthan in the state of Andhra Pradesh.^[6]
• The saint-poet Annamacharya died on Phalguna Bahula (Krishna) Dvadashi (12th day after full moon) in the year Dhundhubhi, on 4 April 1503 after living for 95 years.
• The Shukla Paksha Dvadashi is the prophesied date for the birth of the Kalki avatar of Vishnu.

See also

• Chaitra
• Paksha
• Govatsa Dwadashi

Notes and References

1. Book: Zelliot . Eleanor . The Experience of Hinduism : essays on religion in Maharashtra . Berntsen . Maxine . 1988 . Albany, N.Y. : State University of New York Press . Internet Archive . 978-0-88706-662-7 . 325.
2. Book: Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi . Puranic Encyclopaedia By Vettam Mani Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi . 8.
3. Book: Verma, Manish . Fasts and Festivals of India . 2013 . Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. . 978-81-7182-076-4 . 10 . en.
4. Book: Rinehart, Robin . Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice . 2004 . ABC-CLIO . 978-1-57607-905-8 . 146 . en.
5. https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/govatsa-dwadashi/govatsa-dwadashi-date-time.html?year=2020 2020 Govatsa Dwadashi
6. http://www.sripadasrivallabhamahasamsthanam.com/index1.php?page=home Goseva at Sripada Srivallabha Mahasamsthanam