Dwadashi Tithi is associated with Lord Vishnu. Just as Ekadashi occurs every month, Dwadashi also occurs every month. Dwadashi of each month is related to the different names of Shri Vishnu. It is believed that if a person is not able to observe fast on Ekadashi Tithi, then the same fruits can be attained by fasting on Dwadashi Tithi.

Dwadashi Tithi in Phalgun month is known as Govind Dwadashi. The auspicious effects of Govind Dwadashi destroy a person's sufferings and diseases. As per our Vedas, natives are blessed with fruits equivalent to ‘Atiratra Yag’, a type of Yagna when fast and Puja is done on this day.

Govind Dwadashi fast is observed on the next day of the Ekadashi Tithi of Phalgun month. For Dwadashi Puja, one should be virtuous, follow ethics, and have a purity of heart. If Govind Dwadashi Tithi prevails in the Pradosh period for 2 days due to Tithi Vriddhi, then it can be celebrated only during the Pradosh period on the second day.

Those who fast, worship the Lord following all rituals on Govind Dwadashi are blessed with happiness, mental peace and good health. The natives are protected from all kinds of diseases by observing Govind Dwadashi fast.

Puja Vidhi - Govind Dwadashi

• Start the day with Lord Govind's name.
• Finish all the daily chores and then perform Puja.
• Lord Govind should be worshipped.
• The idol of Lord Vishnu should be installed.
• Chandan, Akshat, Tulsi Dal and flowers should be offered to the Lord while chanting "Shri Govind Shri Hari".
• Lord's idol should be bathed with Panchamrit and then the idol should be adorned with beautiful clothes.
• Deep, Gandh, flowers and Dhoop should be offered to Lord Govind.
• After performing the Aarti, Prasad should be offered to the Lord.
• The Prasad should be distributed amongst everyone. Food should be offered to the Brahmins and donation should also be given as per one's capacity.

It is best to start the Govind Dwadashi fast from Ekadashi itself. If this is not possible, then start the fast on Dwadashi Tithi only. Jagran-Kirtan should be organised after observing fast the whole day and on the next day. It is believed that if a person observes Govind Dwadashi fast and follows all the rituals he/she attains Baikunth. All the sins of the devotee are destroyed by observing this fast and can enjoy all the worldly pleasures.

Govind Dwadashi Mantra

Reciting Lord Vishnu’s Mantra on Govind Dwadashi is considered highly beneficial. Shri Govind is considered a calm and blissful Lord. He is the bearer of the world. Worshipping Lord Govinda eradicates all crises in the life of the devotees and prosperity is attained. Lord Govind is worshipped by reciting the following Mantras on this day.

‘ॐ नारायणाय नम:’

‘ॐ श्री विष्णवे च विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्’

‘ॐ नमो नारायण। श्री मन नारायण नारायण हरि हरि।’

Govind Dwadashi Mahatamay

On the day of Govind Dwadashi, one should listen to the stories of Lord Vishnu. Reciting the Gita on this day brings freedom from bondage. Similarly, devotees get auspicious results on reciting and listening to the Bhagavad Katha, the devotee gets auspicious results. Worshiping the child form of Shri Vishnu on the day of Govind Dwadashi blesses one with children.

The festival of Narsingh Dwadashi is also celebrated on the day of Govind Dwadashi. Narsingh Avatar is one of the twelve Avatars of Lord Vishnu. This Avatar is half human and half lion. Lord Shri Vishnu took this Avatar to kill Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons.

According to ancient scriptures, Diti, the wife of Kashyap Rishi gave birth to Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Since she was a devil her sons were also devils. To save the earth, from the Devils, Lord Vishnu took the Varaha Avatar and killed Hiranyaksha. Hiranyakashipu decided to avenge his brother’s death. His dislike for Lord Vishnu was so high that he would kill anyone who worshipped Lord Vishnu.

Lord Hiranyakashipu had undergone hard penance and as a reward for the penance, Lord Brahma blessed him with the boon of being invincible. Hiranyakashipu uses this power to conquer the Swarg also. The irony of his life was that his son was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. As a result, Hiranyakashipu disliked his son Prahlada and in fact tried to kill Prahlada several times. However, Lord Vishnu saves Prahlada every time. Once in a packed assembly, Prahlada speaks about Lord Vishnu’s grandeur.

Prahlada describes Lord Vishnu as being omnipresent and his presence in every particle of the universe. This angers Hiranyakashipu and he challenges Prahalada to call for Lord Vishnu from a pillar. Prahlada calls for the Lord with his devotion. Shri Vishnu appears in the incarnation of Lord Narayana in the form of Narasimha and slays Hiranyakashipu. Lord Narasimha gives a boon to Prahlada and all his devotees. He states all the wishes of the devotee who will remember and worship me on this day will be fulfilled.

Hence on the day of Govind Dwadashi, worshipping Lord Narsimha is considered highly beneficial. Worshipping Lord Vishnu and performing Puja and Jagran brings happiness and protects the devotee from all the sufferings and diseases of life.