Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is called Indira Ekadashi. The Ekadashi which improves the condition of the wandering ancestors is called Indira Ekadashi. Shaligram is worshiped on this day. Tulsi Dal must be offered on Shaligram ji on this day. The end of the fast of Ekadashi is called Parana. Parana is done after sunrise on the next day of Ekadashi fast. It is very important to break the Ekadashi fast before the end of the Dwadashi date. If the Dwadashi tithi is over before sunrise, then Ekadashi fasting ends only after sunrise and doing so is tantamount to sin.

Sometimes Ekadashi fast is observed for two consecutive days. When Ekadashi fasting is for two days, then smart family members should observe Ekadashi fast on the first day. The second day of the Ekadashi is called the ‘Dooji Ekadashi’. Sannyasis, widows and devotees wishing to attain salvation should observe a fast on Duji Ekadashi. Whenever Ekadashi fast is for two days, then Duji Ekadashi and Vaishnava Ekadashi fall on the same day.

Indira Ekadashi Importance

The fast of Indira Ekadashi is associated with the liberation of the ancestors and the peace of their souls. By observing this fast, Lord Vishnu liberates the living beings. On this day,  those who worship the Lord may get his blessings and their ancestors may rest in paradise. Along with that, worshipers may get immense happiness and prosperity in their life. They keep a day-long fast to please the Lord to seek his blessings. Besides, there is a great importance of reading Vishnu Sahasranama along with fasting rituals and worship. By doing so, one may receive peace in the three worlds.

Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha

According to the legend, King Indrasen of Mahishmati Nagar was a great devotee and majestic king of Lord Vishnu in Satyuga. Everyone lived happily in his Mahishmati kingdom, the people there did not have any trouble. One day, when the king was discussing with his ministers sitting in the court, Devarshi Narada Muni appeared in his court.

Sage Narada informed the king that in your kingdom, all people are living a peaceful life, but your father is compelled to reside in Yamaloka due to his bad karmas. On hearing this, an anxious King Indrasen asked Devarshi Narada about his father’s soul well-being. The sage told him that he must observe fast on Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month to ward off his father’s sins. King Indrasen then asked sage Narada how to keep Ekadashi vrat? Narada replied that just a day before Indira Ekadashi, take a bath in the river on the tenth day and perform Shradh for your ancestors. On Ekadashi, worship Lord Vishnu and then eat fruits in the evening. By observing this fast, your father would get virtuous benefits. King Indrasen along with his brothers observed a ritualistic fast of Indira Ekadashi. As a result, his father got salvation and after the death of King Indrasen, his soul departed for heaven.

Puja Vidhi and Vrat Vidhi for Indira Ekadashi 2022

–              Wake up early, take a bath in the morning and wear clean clothes.

–              Mediate the Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu.

–              Make a swastika on the cloth with kumkum.

–              Offer flowers and rice on the swastika while chanting “Om Ganeshaya Namah” by bowing to Lord Ganesha.

–              Then, install Shaligram or the picture of Lord Vishnu inside the home temple.

–              Do Vishnu Puja by pouring gangajal water on the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu.

–              Offer roli, sandalwood, akshat, incense sticks, sweets etc.

–              Read Vishnu Sahasranama and perform aarti.

–              In the evening, light a lamp in front of the Tulsi plant.

–              Listen to the story of Indira Ekadashi Vrat.

–              Donate food to Brahmins after performing Shradh in the name of ancestors.

–              Conclude your fast by eating fruits on the day of Dwadashi.

Significance of Indira Ekadashi Vrat:

Indira Ekadashi Vrat blesses the devotees with prosperity and richness. By observing Indira Ekadashi Vrat, the person can get rid of all the sins. Those who desires to free their ancestors from all offence and ultimately offer them peace must observe Indira Ekadashi Vrat with devotion and dedication. As per the Hindu scriptures, by observing the Indira Ekadashi Vrat, the devotees get the results of the ‘Ashwamedha Yagya.’ The prominence of Indira Ekadashi is mentioned in the ‘Brahmavaivarta Purana’ which was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna.

Celebrations and Rituals:

A day before Indira Ekadashi, prayers and rituals are carried out in the memory of deceased ancestors. Devotees must consume only single meal on Dashami day. On Indira Ekadashi, devotee performs the rites of Shradh. An idol of Lord Vishnu is worshipped with great devotion. The devotees offer Tulsi leaves, flowers, fruits and other puja essentials to the idol. They also visit Lord Vishnu temple. On Indira Ekadashi, devotees abstain from eating anything. The Vrat ends on the next day by consuming food along with family members. The food is offered to priests and cows, before eating. Indira Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Vedic mantras, kirtans, and bhajans are sung in praise of the Lord. The devotees should stay awake all night and sing devotional songs and listen to the stories of Lord Vishnu and recite ‘Vishnu Sahastranaam.

Shaligram Worship

INGREDIENTS: Ganga jal, panchgavya (It is a mixture of 5 auspicious things cowdung, cow’s urine, milk, ghee and curd), fresh tulsi leaves, kusha grass, pipal leaves, Incense sticks, camphor, sandal paste, aarti lamp, conch. For offerings take some milk, fruits, flowers, sweet dish, coconut etc.

PROCEDURE OF PUJA

Sit in the position so that you face East or North East direction. Wash the Shila with Gangajal using the conch. Wash it with punchgavya, again wash it with Gangajal. Put some kusha grass in a water tumbler for sprinkling purpose and sprinkle on the Shila. Place the Shaligram Shila over some pipal leaves in a plate, Pl put a red or white clean cloth on the plate. Light the camphor, incense stick and the lamp.

Apply little sandle paste over the Shila. place some fresh tulsi leaves( if leaves are not there pl place tulasi mala rosary next to the Shaligrama Shila) next to the in front of the Shila. Rotate the lamp in front of thr Shila in the clockwise direction. Chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 9 times Offer some milk, fruits or sweets to the Shila. Offer some money and then donate all offerings of the Shila to the poor person. If cowdung and cow’s uine is not available pl leave them and proceed with rest of the things.

During Shalagram Shila puja prayers one should think and speak to Krishna, and tell Him how you feel unworthy to perform His puja, and still He has blessed you, and even you are sorry for having so many personal motives still you know that if one has NO motives (desires) or has ALL desires, or even if one has desire for liberation, in all cases one should worship Lord Hari for that attainment. So you are not wrong in asking the Lord for anything, because if you will ask or not, still, He is the One to ask. For this meditation you can chant:

“Om akama-sarva-kamo-va moksha-kama-udaradi tivrena bhakti-yogena yajesha purusham param.”

Articles required

Picture of Lord Ganesh Sri Shalagram Shila (Gandaki Vajra-kita) Tulasi leaves (patra) ready washed Scented flowers (pushpa) Water (toya) in a pot Fruit (phala) cut-ready to offer Throne (singhasan) & stand/table Mat (asan) Incense (dhup) & Holder Fan (panka) Sandal Wood Oil (chandan) Ganges Water (ganga pani) Lighter (fire) Small Plate & Glass with fruit & water White Turbinella bathing conch & stand Small cup for bathing Shalagram Pancha Patra cup & spoon Small hand bell (ganti).