Indira Ekadashi is one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
It is celebrated on the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin of the Hindu calendar. It is believed that observing a fast and performing puja honoring Lord Indra on this day is believed to bring peace to the souls of our ancestors and cleanse one's sins. Indira Ekadashi holds special significance, as it is said that those who observe it with devotion not only benefit themselves but also help their forefathers attain moksha (liberation).
In this blog, we will learn more about Indira Ekadashi 2024, including the important dates, timings, significance, and rituals associated with it.
Indira Ekadashi 2024 : Date & Timings
This year, Indira Ekadashi will fall on 28th September 2024 (Saturday). Below are some important timings for the day:
Indira Ekadashi Tithi will begin at 01:20 PM on 27th September 2024
Indira Ekadashi Tithi will end at 02:49 PM on 28th September 2024
Indira Ekadashi Parana Time: 06:11AM to 08:35 AM on 29th September 2024
Understanding the Significance of Indira Ekadashi
Before we get into the puja vidhi and rituals associated with Indira Ekadashi, it's important to understand why this day is so special.
Pitru Paksha or Shraadha is a 15-day period when Hindus pay respects to their ancestors. Indira Ekadashi, which falls on the 11th day of this period, is considered particularly powerful for removing the obstacles faced by our departed souls in their journey after death. The day is filled with fasting, offering prayers, and seeking divine blessings to ensure that our ancestors rest in peace and attain liberation.
Also Read : Vighnaraja Sankashti Chaturthi : Date, Significance, and Vrat Katha
Here’s the Indira Ekadashi ki Katha:
There once lived a king named Indrasen who ruled the kingdom of Mahishmati. He was a very kind and generous king and everyone in his kingdom was happy under his leadership.
One fine day, Sage Narada Muni visited Indrasen to convey the message of his deceased father. He said that his father’s soul is still stuck in Yama Loka as he hasn’t been able to attain moksha due to the sins he committed in the past.
King Indrasen got quite concerned listening to this and asked the sage to suggest how he could help his father attain moksha (liberation). Herein, Narad Muni suggested he observe the Ekadashi Tithi vrat on the 11th day of the Ashwin Krishna Paksha, paying homage to his ancestors and worshiping Lord Vishnu, praying for him to relieve his father’s soul.
Ever since then, it’s believed that by observing the Indira Ekadashi vrat, one can help their ancestors get rid of their sins and attain moksha.
How to Prepare for Indira Ekadashi Vrat?
- Start with a Clean Mind and Body: Wake up early, preferably during the Brahma Muhurta (between 4 AM to 6 AM). Take a bath and wear clean, light-colored clothes like white or light yellow.
- Prepare the Puja Area: Choose a clean space in your home where you can set up the puja altar. If possible, place the images or idols of Lord Vishnu and your ancestors on this altar.
- Collect the Puja Essentials: For Indira Ekadashi puja, you'll need a few basic items—tulsi leaves, fruits, flowers (preferably yellow or white), incense sticks, a diya (lamp), ghee or oil, and sweets (especially made from jaggery or sugar).
Also Read : Everything You Need to Know About Mahalakshmi Vrat
Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Indira Ekadashi Puja
Like any spiritual ritual, preparation for Indira Ekadashi puja starts with a clean body and mind. The atmosphere around you should also be clean and serene to invoke a sense of calm and divinity.
Now, let’s break down the puja process in a way that you can easily follow and perform at home.
1. Kalash Sthapana (Setting up the Kalash)
The puja begins with the establishment of a Kalash, a copper or brass pot filled with water. Place a few mango leaves around the rim, and set a coconut on top. The Kalash represents life and fertility, and its placement is believed to invite auspiciousness into your home.
- Light an oil or ghee lamp (diya) and incense sticks to purify the environment and invoke the presence of Lord Vishnu and your ancestors.
- Sit in a comfortable position in front of the Kalash with your family, and keep your mind calm and focused.
2. Offer Prayers to Lord Vishnu
Indira Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is considered the protector of the universe. Begin your prayers by chanting Vishnu mantras or reading from the Vishnu Sahasranama (a thousand names of Lord Vishnu). Even a simple mantra like Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya can be chanted with devotion if you’re new to mantras.
- Offer fresh flowers, tulsi leaves, and fruits to Lord Vishnu's idol or picture. Tulsi is especially significant in Vishnu puja, as it’s believed to be dear to him.
- Place the diya in front of Lord Vishnu’s idol and visualize him blessing your ancestors, helping them on their journey toward peace.
3. Ancestor Worship (Pitru Tarpan)
This is the main part of the Indira Ekadashi puja. The purpose is to offer water, prayers, and food to your departed ancestors, seeking their blessings and requesting them to forgive any past wrongdoings.
- Take some water in a small vessel or hold it in your hand, and offer it to your ancestors by pouring it onto the ground while reciting their names or mentally remembering them.
- Offer sesame seeds (til) and kusha grass if available, which are traditionally used in rituals for ancestors.
- You can chant the Pitru mantra while doing this: Om Pitrubhyo Namah (Salutations to the Ancestors). If you don’t know the names of your ancestors, don’t worry—simply offer your respect and prayers with a sincere heart.
4. Fasting
The fast on Indira Ekadashi is important, as it symbolizes the purification of the body and mind. Traditionally, people observe a full fast, meaning no food or water for 24 hours, but it’s okay to fast in a way that is suitable for your body. You can opt for fruits, milk, and water throughout the day if a complete fast feels too difficult.
The key is to abstain from grains, rice, pulses, and non-vegetarian food. The idea is to maintain the purity of the body to enhance the spiritual impact of your prayers. Try to keep your thoughts positive, stay away from anger or negative emotions, and spend the day in devotion.
Also Read : Celebrate Anant Chaturthi : Significance, Date & Puja Vidhi
5. Offering Bhog (Sacred Food Offering)
After completing the prayers, prepare simple sattvic (pure and vegetarian) food without garlic or onions. You can offer fruits, sweets made of jaggery, and a simple meal of rice and dal (if you’re not fasting completely) to Lord Vishnu and your ancestors.
After the offering, the food should be distributed among the Brahmins or the needy, which is an essential part of the ritual. Sharing food in this way signifies that you’re honoring your ancestors by feeding others, a noble act that pleases the departed souls.
Takeaway
Indira Ekadashi is a day of remembrance, devotion, and spiritual cleansing. By observing this fast and following the puja rituals, you not only help your ancestors in their spiritual journey but also purify your soul. The beauty of Indira Ekadashi lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t demand elaborate rituals or grand ceremonies—just a sincere heart and devotion.
