The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hindusim vol 2

Puttaparthi
on the eleventh day of the bright (waxing)
half of the lunar month of Paush
(December–January). As with all the
eleventh-day observances, these are
dedicated to the god Vishnu. Most
Hindu festivals have certain prescribed
rites, which usually involve fasting
(upavasa) and worship, and often
promise specific benefits for faithful
performance. Faithfully observing the
ekadashi rites on these days is believed
to give one a son (putra), which is a
major concern in traditional Indian culture.
Sons are necessary for this world
and the next, not only to care for their
parents in their old age, but also to
perform certain ancestral rites after
one’s death. The strength of this
desire for sons is demonstrated by the
fact that this particular ekadashi
occurs twice during the year—the only
ekadashi to do so.
Puttaparthi
Town in Andhra Pradesh near the border
with Karnataka, about ninety–five
miles north of Bangalore. Puttaparthi is
best known in connection with the
modern Hindu teacher Sathya Sai Baba,
not only as the place where he was born
and raised, but also the site of his most
important religious dwelling (ashram)
and primary residence.
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