According to the Hindu calendar, Ekadashi comes twice every month as Shukla Paksha Ekadashi or Krishna Paksha Ekadashi. They all have deep importance. However, some Ekadashi is more significant than others, and Indira Ekadashi is one of them.
It comes in the holy month of Ashwin (the month devoted to praying for ancestors). On this day, devotees observe a fast and worship lord Vishnu to seek his blessings, hoping their ancestors may get salvation after death.
It’s similar to any usual fast where you can eat fruits, and you must recite or listen to Vrat Katha, provide offerings to the lord, do puja, offer prasad and open your fast the next day. However, some things are different and are very important to a successful Indira Ekadashi Vrat.
Date & Tithi
Indira Ekadashi on Saturday, September 28th, 2024.
Ekadashi Tithi Begins- September 27 | 3:50 AM in (United States)
Ekadashi Tithi Ends- September 28 | 5:19 AM in (United States)
The story behind
The story takes us back to Satyuga, where there was a kingdom named Mahishmati ruled by king Indrasen. He was a majestic king with enormous power and wealth; he was kind-hearted and looked at his people as his children. His kingdom was prosperous, with no shortage of food, supplies or anything known to man of those time.
King Indrasen was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu and sincerely believed in his sayings. One fine day when everything seemed normal, Narad Muni arrived saying ‘Narayan, Narayan’; he came with a message from King’s father that he was in Yamloka due to mistakes he made in his previous life. The father was seeking liberation from Yamloka and looking to find his place at the feet of Lord Vishnu.
After listening to the message, the king politely asked, “What can I do to get him liberated?” Narad Muni answered that as a son, you could observe a fast on Indira Ekadashi so that your father can get salvation.
The king patiently listened to Narad Muni as he explained that Indira Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month. The previous day you must perform a Shradh for your father and observe a fast on the next day of Ekadashi.
He asked the king to worship lord Vishnu on this day, feed brahmins, and then break his fast. This simple act of devotion will help his father to attain salvation.
The king followed every step directed by Narad muni, which helped his father attain salvation and go to Baikunth. Later, due to the virtuous effect of Indra Ekadashi Vrat, the king also went to Baikunth after death.
Because of the great significance and effect, it’s recommended for the eldest family member to keep an Indira Ekadashi vrat and worship lord Vishnu on this special day.
Indira Ekadashi puja Vidhi
Many people observe a Nirjala vrat on this day, where they don’t even drink water, but it’s not compulsory, and you may eat fruits and have water on this day. If you are not medically fit, ask any other male family member to keep a fast, as fasting is necessary.
- Wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Refrain from wearing dark colour clothes like black, dark blue or other.
- Then collect offerings including fresh flowers, Tulsi, Ghee, Akshat, Incense sticks, Rori and Ganga Jal (or water of any holy river).
- You can worship lord Vishnu’s idol or painting.
- Start cleansing yourself, the Lord and your surroundings with holy water. Then provide offerings with prasad to Lord Vishnu. Meanwhile, keep chanting the mantra “Om Namoh Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namah.”
- Finish your puja with arti, apologise to the Lord for your ancestors’ mistakes, and request their salvation.
Make sure you don’t eat or distribute prasad soon after puja because you must first offer it to the brahmins. Invite at least five brahmins to your home for a feast and respectfully offer them the prasad and food. You may provide donations in cash or kind.
In the evening, perform a small arti or light an earthen pot in front of the Lord’s idol. Your puja is now completed, and you can break the fast the next day.
Do’s and don’ts while fasting
Every Vrat has rules you must follow, or your efforts will be wasted. You must take care of certain things on puja day.
- Your fast will start from Dashmi. So, start following the fasting rules from the sunset of the tenth day itself. Please avoid having food or water if you are keeping a Nirjala Vrat.
- Make sure you or none of your family members eat rice on Indira Ekadashi.
- The fast starts from sunset of Dashmi (tenth day), and you can only break after sunrise of Dwadashi (twelfth day).
- Muhurat has a great significance in this Vrat, so please take care to perform all rituals at the required time.
- Without fasting, the puja will be incomplete, and your ancestors will never receive the requested benefits.
- You may eat all kinds of fruits, dry fruits, milk products and vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, etc.
- Please avoid having tamasic food like meat and alcohol and refrain from smoking while fasting.
- Feeding brahmins is crucial, so please don’t miss that.
Try to have a pleasant mood throughout the day. Avoid getting into quarrels and saying bad words to others. Donate to the creatures in need.
Conclusion
In 2024, Indira Ekadashi will be on the 28th of September, but your fast will start from the sunset of the 28th of September. You must perform a shradh on 27th September; then start will all the rules and procedures mentioned in this article. Don’t forget to look for the right Muhurat and feed brahmins after puja.
Indira Ekadashi Vrat arrives only once a year, so please try to follow all these rules to have a successful vrat; it will directly benefit you, your ancestors and your family. If you are unsure about the procedures, you may request any brahmin to help you, and don’t worry if you make any mistakes; seek forgiveness from lord Vishnu after the puja.
Please listen to the Vrat Katha on the day of fasting and have an effective Indira Ekadashi Vrat.
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