Ekadashi falls in between Holika Dahan and Chaitra Navratri is known as Papmochani Ekadashi. It falls before Ugadi and is the last Ekadashi of the year.
Papmochani Krishna Ekadashi is observed during the month of Chaitra Paksha according to the Purnimant calendar North of India and Krishna Paksha of the month of Phalguna according to the Amavasyant calendar South of India. However, northern India and southern India observe it on the same day. Currently falls in March or April in the English calendar.
Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is made after dawn the day after Ekadashi fast. Parana is necessary Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi finished before dawn. Do not make Parana inside Dwadashi is similar to an offense.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. We must wait until Hari Vasara finishes before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is the first duration of a quarter of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If for any reason you can not break the fast during Pratahkal, then you have to do after madhyahna.
Sometimes the fasting of Ekadashi is suggested for two consecutive days. It is recommended that Smartha with the family only observe fasting on the first day. The alternative fast of Ekadashi, which is the second, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who desire Moksha. When alternate Ekadasi fast for proposed Smartha coincides with the fasting day Vaishnava Ekaadashi.
the fasting Ekadashi the two days is suggested for pure and hard followers who seek love and affection for Lord Vishnu.
Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Story:
This story is told in Bhavishya Uttara Purana in the form of dialogues between Lord Krishna and King Yudhishtira.
There was a sage called Medhavi he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. This sage used to make deep tapas in the forest of Chaitraratha. This forest was full of beautiful and fragrant flowers. The forest of Chaitraratha was also frequently visited by Lord Indra and Apsaras. The beautiful Apsaras tried several times, but they never managed to seduce the young Medhavi. A famous Apsara, “Manjughosa”, also tried many ways to seduce this wise but could not approach him because of the power of his sobriety he had accomplished over the years.
After many attempts, Manjughosa decided to start a store a few miles from the sage and began to sing. She sang so well that even the Kamdev (Cupid) was moved and decided to use Manjughosha to attack Medhavi. But when Manjughosha looked at the powerful and attractive body of the wise, she herself was disturbed by lust. Again, he began to sing with seduction, Kamdev drew Medhavi’s attention to the charm of Manughosha through his mighty magical arches. He walked slowly towards Medhavi and hugged him in his beautiful arms. Medhavi stopped his cap (meditation) and was trapped in the charm of Manjughosha.
He instantly lost his mental purity. He was so attracted by his charm that he even forgot the difference between night and day.
Medhavi was delighted with her for a long time. After having lived a conjugal life for 57 years, Manjughosha lost his interest for the sage and decided to abandon it. Delighted by the charm of Apsara, Medhavi could not realize the time he spent with Manjughosha. When Manjughosha asked Medhavi to let him go, now the sage has recovered his lost senses and realized how he was deceived by this Apsara.
Medhavi cursed her to become an ugly witch. Very sad Medhavi returned to the ashram of his father Sage Chyavana and told the whole story to his father.
Sage Chyavana asked Medhavi to quickly observe in Papamochani Ekadashi, and assured him that all his sins will be eliminated by quickly observing in this Ekadashi. Medhavi observed the fast with total devotion to Lord Vishnu and was freed from his mistakes. Chyavana also advised the same thing in Majughosha. Manjughosha also observed how fast and repented of his evil deeds and also felt relieved of his sin.