Today is Pavitraropana Ekadasi, the day where we offer a sacred cord or garland to the Lord. This is an old vrata, mentioned in many Pancaratras and dharma-sastras. It is also described at length in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (15.168-240, translated in “Dearest to Vishnu”, pp 118-134). The purpose of the vrata is to make up for any deficiences in the worship of the year that has passed.
On Pavitraropana Ekadasi, Pavtiras or Ponvates which are rings, wristlets or necklets are made from strands of cotton threads of varying lengths, number of twists and knots. These strands or Ponvates are then washed, consecrated with mantras and offered to different Gods like Shiva, Vishnu, the Sun and also the family priest. The best Ponvate is it seems of nine-stranded with one hundred and eight twists and twenty-four knots.
Check out this nice photo post on Chakra.
Even though I am not performing this vrata, my meditation for today will be on purifying myself in order to improve my standard of deity worship in the coming year ahead.
