Kalki Dwadashi

Kalki Dwadashi vrat is dedicated to the Kalki Avatar vrat of Lord Vishnu. According to legends, Kalki is the tenth and the final Avatar of Lord Vishnu who had come to end disruption and evil from this world.

The name Kalki arises from the word kal or time and symbolizes the end of bad times and ushering in of good times. End of the Kali yuga and ushering in the Satya Yuga. According to the Puranas Kalki rides on a white horse with a drawn sword in his hand.

Kalki dwadashi is observed on the dwadashi of the shuklapaksha of the Bhadrapada month as per the traditional Hindu calendar, which according to the Gregorian calendar is the twelfth day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of September.

Devotees awake early on the the day of the Kalki Dwadashi and have a cleansing bath before sunrise. Then they visit temples of Lord Vishnu. They all chant Vishnu Stotram and seek blessings from the Lord and ask for his forgiveness.

Devotees prepare their puja place in their house. An idol of Kalki made of clay and turmeric is placed on an earthen pot filled with water. Then this Kalki idol is worshipped with ghee or clarifies butter, flowers, fresh fruits, incense sticks and lamp. After the worship is over, the idol is gifted to a Brahmin or immersed in water.

Kalki is believed to be the tenth and final incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is believed to be the one who will put an end to the evil filled Kali Yuga and usher in satya Yuga. Thus devotees pray for his blessings and seek forgiveness for all their sons. They pray that their lives be peaceful. Since no one is aware when the Kalki Avatar will appear people seek his blessings as they do not know when the end will come.