Parivartini Ekadasi is observed during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in the month of Bhadrapad. Parivarthini Ekadashi is observed during the Chatur Mas and Dakshinayana period. It is the night time of Devas. In 2009, the date of Parivartini Ekadasi is August 31.Parivarthini Ekadashi is also known as Jaljhilini Ekadasi.

Legend has it that Lord who is taking rest during the period of Dakshinayana, changes his position of sleep – turns from left side to right side on the Ekadasi day in the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month. Therefore this Ekadashi is also known as Parivartini Ekadashi.The greatness of Parivartini Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, by Lord Krishna.

Maharaja Yudhisthira asked the Lord, "0 Janardana, please clear up a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then turns over on His side? 0 Lord, when You are asleep, what happens to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound the king of demons, Bali Maharaja, as well as how one may please the brdhmanas. How does one observe Caturmasya? Kindly be merciful to me and answer these questions."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied, "0 Yudhisthira,"In the Treta-yuga there once lived a king named Bali. Though born in a demonic dynasty, he was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and performed the homy ritual just to satisfy Me. He respected the twice-born brdhmanas and engaged them in performing sacrifices daily. This great soul had a quarrel with Indra, however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra. Therefore Indra and all the other demigods, along with many great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja. Bowing their heads to the ground and offering many sacred prayers from the Vedas, they worshiped Me along with their spiritual master, Brhaspati. Thus I agreed to appear on their behalf as the dwarf Vamanadeva, My fifth incarnation."

King Yudhisthira asked, "0 Lord, how was it possible for You to conquer such a powerful demon in a dwarf's body? Please explain this clearly, for I am Your faithful devotee."

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, replied, "Though a dwarf, I was a brahmana, and I approached Bali Maharaja to ask him for alms in the form of land. I said, '0 Bali, please give Me just three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be as good as all the three worlds for Me.' Bali agreed to grant My request without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to give Me the land, My body began to expand into a gigantic transcendental form. I covered the entire earth with My feet, all of Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Svarga heavens with My waist, Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face. I covered the entire material creation. Indeed, all the planets of the universe, including the sun and the moon, were encompassed by My gigantic form. "Seeing this astonishing pastime of Mine, all the demigods, including Indra and Sesa the king of snakes, began to sing Vedic hymns and offer prayers to Me. Then I took Bali by the hand and said to him, '0 sinless one, I have covered the whole earth with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you promised Me?'

"Upon hearing this, Bali Maharaja bowed down and offered Me his head. 0 Yudhisthira, I placed My foot on his head and sent him all the way to Patalaloka. Seeing him thus humbled, I became very pleased and told Bali that henceforth I would permanently reside in his palace. Thereafter, on Parivartini Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadra, Bali, the son of Virocana, installed a Deity form of Me in his residence.

"0 king, until Haribodhini Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Kartika, I continue to sleep in the ocean of milk. The merit one accumulates during this period is particularly powerful. One should therefore observe Parivartini Ekadasi carefully. Indeed, it is especially purifying and thus cleanses one of all sinful reactions.

One who observes this sacred Parivartini Ekadasi in the way I have described will surely attain all kinds of happiness in this world and the kingdom of God in the hereafter.