Kartika Krishna Ekadashi named after Goddess Lakshmi (Rama); fast to Vishnu before Diwali

Rama Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight of Kartika (Purnimanta), falling four days before Diwali. It is named after Goddess Lakshmi, one of whose names is Rama, and so this is one of the few Ekadashis where Lakshmi is worshipped together with Lord Vishnu (Keshava) — making it a fitting prelude to the Diwali Lakshmi Puja. The Brahmavaivarta Purana relates the story told by Krishna to Yudhishthira: King Muchukunda's daughter Chandrabhaga was married to Prince Shobhana, who was weak and could not bear hunger. Obeying the king's command that everyone in the kingdom fast on Ekadashi, Shobhana kept the fast and died that night. By its merit he obtained a divine kingdom on Mount Mandarachala, but it was unstable. Chandrabhaga, who had kept Ekadashi since childhood, gave him the merit of her own fasts, and the kingdom became permanent; the two lived there together. Keeping Rama Ekadashi is said to destroy even grave sins such as brahmahatya and grant Vishnu's abode. The fast is broken on Dwadashi within the parana time, which this year coincides with Govatsa Dwadashi and Dhanteras.

Nirjala for the able; otherwise fruit, milk and non-grain foods.