Indira Ekadashi: Timings, Vrat Katha, Significance, Rituals

Indira Ekadashi is a one of the auspicious fasting days of Hindus that falls on the ekadashi tithi (11th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the wanning phase of moon) during the Hindu month of Ashwin. This corresponds to the month of September to October according to the Gregorian calendar.

Indira Ekadashi 2024 is on September 28, Saturday

4 months and 28 days to go for the event

As Indira Ekadashi falls in Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors, it is also referred as ‘Ekadashi Shraddh’. The main objective of this Ekadashi Vrat is to give salvation to the forefathers or dead ancestors so that they do not have to go through hell. Hindus observe the Indira Ekadashi fast to seek forgiveness of the wrong deeds of the past. Indira Ekadashi fast is observed by staunch devotees of Lord Vishnu who seek His love and affection.

Important Timings On Indira Ekadashi 2024

Indira Ekadashi comes after Parsva ekadashi and is followed by Papankusha ekadashi

Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Listen to Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha in English

Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha Hindi

The Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha, as mentioned in the Padma Purana is as follows:

Yudhishthira inquired, "O Madhusudana, please enlighten me with compassion about which Ekadashi falls during the dark fortnight of Ashwin Month."

Lord Shri Krishna replied, "O King! In the dark fortnight of Ashwin, the Ekadashi Vrat called Indira Ekadashi is observed. Observing its fast profoundly affects the eradication of even the gravest of sins. It also provides salvation to the ancestors who are in lower realms, including those in the netherworld.

O King! In ancient times, during the Satya Yuga, there was a renowned prince named Indrasen. He later became the ruler of Mahishmatipuri and governed his subjects with unwavering righteousness. His fame had spread far and wide.

King Indrasen was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, and he spent his time in meditation and chanting the sacred names of Govinda, which are known to grant liberation. He was deeply immersed in spiritual contemplation and regularly performed rituals according to the prescribed scriptures.

One day, while King Indrasen was seated with great contentment in his royal court, the divine sage Narada descended from the heavens and arrived there. Upon seeing the sage, the King respectfully joined his palms, offered him a traditional welcome, and provided him with a comfortable seat.

Seated in comfort, Sage Narada asked the King, "O King, are all seven aspects of your well-being in good health?"

The King replied, "O venerable sage, by your grace, I am in good health in every aspect, and here in my kingdom, all the religious ceremonies and righteous deeds are prospering. Today, with your auspicious presence, all my rituals and sacrifices have seen accomplishment. Please bless me by sharing the reason for your visit."

Narada said, "O noble king, listen attentively, for what I am about to share will astonish you. I went from Brahma-loka to Yama-loka, from where I came to you. While I was at Yama-Loka, I was granted an honourable seat and received devout worship by Yama, the Lord of Death. During that time, I happened to see your father. He had come there due to the transgression of his religious vows.

O King, he has sent a message for you, which I am here to convey. He said, 'My son, send the merits earned from observing the "Indira Ekadashi Vrat" to me so that I can attain heaven.' With this message, I have come to you. O King, in order to facilitate your father's journey to the heavenly realms, you should observe the "Indira Ekadashi" fast."

The King asked, "Lord, please explain the procedure for observing the 'Indira Ekadashi' fast. In which lunar fortnight, on which date, and with what rituals should this fast be observed?"

Narada replied, "O foremost of Kings, listen attentively, for I shall describe the promising method of observing this fast. In the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the Ashwin month, on the sacred day of Dashami, one should perform morning ablutions with a devout mind. Then, during midday, after another bath, one should partake in a simple meal without letting the mind astray and sleep on the ground during the night.

At the dawn of Ekadashi, after brushing one's teeth, and with a pure heart, recite the following mantra with devotion, and then commence the fast."

|| Adya sthitvaa Nirahaarah Sarvabhoga Vivarjitah ||
|| Shvo Bhokshye Pundarikaksh Sharanam me Bhavachyut ||

"O Lord Narayana, with eyes like lotus petals! Today, I will separate myself from all worldly pleasures and remain abstinent, and tomorrow, I shall partake in a meal. O Achyuta, please grant me refuge."

In this manner, one should observe a sacred Shraaddha ritual in front of a Shaligram stone during midday, following all the prescribed rituals to appease one's ancestors. Then, honour Brahmins by giving them Dakshina and serving them a meal. Afterwards, having absorbed the essence of the food through smell, offered to the ancestors, feed it to a cow.

Next, perform the worship of Lord Hrishikesha with lamp, incense and fragrant substances and stay awake in vigil near the deity during the night. Then, at dawn on Dwadashi day, perform the worship of Lord Srihari with devotion. Following this, offer a meal to Brahmins and then partake in the meal along with your brothers, relatives, and children, maintaining silence.

Sage Narada said, "O King, following this procedure diligently and without any laziness, observe the fast of Indira Ekadashi. By doing so, your ancestors will ascend to the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, known as Vaikuntha."

Lord Sri Krishna continues, "O Rajan! Having spoken thus, Deva Rishi Narada disappeared. Following the instructions given by Narada, King Indrasen, along with his queens, sons, and servants, performed the virtuous observance of this excellent fast.

O Kuntinandan! When the fast was successfully completed, there was a shower of flowers from the heavens. Indrasen's ancestors, including his father, riding on the back of Garuda, ascended to the abode of Lord Vishnu. King Indrasen, after enjoying his kingdom without any obstacles, eventually handed over the reigns to his son and departed to heaven."

"In this manner, I have narrated the significance of the 'Indira Ekadashi' fast before you. A person becomes free from all sins by reading or hearing about it."

Rituals of Indira Ekadashi:

• On Indira Ekadashi, the observer of this vrat performs the rites of Shraddh. The devotees must observe the vrat by following the complete rituals to get maximum benefits. On this day an idol of Lord Vishnu is worshipped with gaiety and fervour. The devotees offer Tulsi leaves, flowers, and fruits along with other puja essentials to the idol. One must also visit any Lord Vishnu temple on this day.
• The vrat of the Indira Ekadashi starts a day before, that is, on ‘dashami’ (10th day). On dashami the rituals for dead ancestors are performed and prayer is offered. The meal is taken before sunrise only as on Ekadashi day, the devotees keep a strict fast. The vrat begins at sunrise and ends on the next day, ‘dwadashi’ after worshipping Lord Vishnu. As it falls in the Pitru Paksha day, food is offered to priests and cows, before eating.
• On the day of Indira Ekadashi the devotees get up early before sunrise. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Vedic mantras and bhajans are sung in praise of the Lord. The observer of this vrat should stay awake all night and sing devotional songs and listen to the stories of Lord Vishnu. Reading ‘Vishnu Sahastranaam’ is also considered to be fortunate.
• On this day, special rituals and prayers are performed in the memory of the dead ancestors. The afternoon time is considered to be favourable for praying to the forefathers.

Significance of Indira Ekadashi:

Indira Ekadashi vrat is a significant Hindu observance that blesses the person with prosperity and richness. By observing this propitious vrat the person can wash away all the sins and also free their forefathers from the ill-effects of the sins they committed in their lifetime. Therefore an individual, who desires to free their ancestors from all offence and ultimately offer them peace, should keep the Indira Ekadashi vrat with full dedication.

It has been stated in the Hindu scriptures that by keeping the Indira Ekadashi vrat, the devotees get the same results as received by performing the ‘Ashwamedha Yagya’. This marks the importance of this ekadashi fast over other Ekadashi vrat. Even more the prominence of Indira Ekadashi can be read in the ‘Brahmavaivarta Purana’ and has also been told to Yudhishtira by Lord Sri Krishna.

FAQs

1: What does Indira Ekadashi mean?

The Ekadashi occurring during the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin is known as Indira Ekadashi. The name "Indira" is derived from the narrative (Vrat Katha) associated with this Ekadashi, as mentioned in the Padma Purana. According to the story, King Indrasen observed this Ekadashi after being informed by Devarshi Narada about his father's presence in Yama-Loka. This Ekadashi came to be known as Indira Ekadashi due to King Indrasen's observance of it. In Sanskrit, the word "Indira" translates to "Splendor" or "Beauty."

2: When to break the Indira Ekadashi Fast 2024?

The Parana Time for 2024 Indira Ekadashi is from September 29, 6:21 am to 8:43 am. Parana time is the period for breaking a fast, typically occurring at sunset or specific hours. Parana, consuming the meal that concludes the fasting, for Ekadashi Vrat is taken after the Hari Vasara period has ended.
(The mentioned timing is in IST, for Ujjain. Click here to change the location.)

Indira Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

Other Related Festivals