Indira Ekadashi is an auspicious festival that is set to be observed tomorrow, September 28. The Indira Ekadashi fast is observed on the Ekadashi tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. According to religious beliefs, the fast and rituals observed on this auspicious occasion help the ancestors to attain salvation. There is an interesting story about Indira Ekadashi. Let us learn about it from Dr Ganesh Mishra, an astrologer at the Central Sanskrit University, Puri, Odisha. According to the astrologer, once Yudhishthira requested Lord Krishna to tell the significance of the Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi fast. Replying to it, Lord Krishna said that this auspicious occasion is known as Indira Ekadashi, which destroys sins and grants salvation to one’s ancestors. Dr Ganesh also mentioned that even listening to the story of Indira Ekadashi yields the same result as performing the Vajpayee Yagya.
Speaking about the story of this auspicious occasion, the astrologer mentioned that in the Satya Yuga, the kingdom of Mahishmat was ruled by King Indrasena. His kingdom was going through a very good time with no shortage of wealth and food. One day, Narad ji visited the king’s court. Seeing the sage, King Indrasena warmly welcomed him and asked the reason for his visit. Narad ji told the king that he recently visited Yamaloka, where he met his father, who had sent a message to him.
Narad ji informed King Indrasena that his father used to observe all the Ekadashi fasts, but for some reason, he was unable to complete one of them. Because of this, he had to stay in Yamaloka with Lord Yama. Narad ji suggested that if Indrasena wished to help his father attain salvation, he should observe the Indira Ekadashi fast properly. Upon hearing this, the king requested Narad ji to explain the proper methods of observing the Indira Ekadashi fast. Answering it, Narad ji said that on the day of Indira Ekadashi, after taking a bath, one should perform Tarpan and Shraddha rituals for their ancestors. An idol of Lord Shaligram should also be placed for worship. After this, a person should feed Brahmins and offer Dakshina. A portion of the food should also be fed to cows.
Naradji further added that after performing the mentioned rituals, one should worship Lord Hrishikesha with flowers, rice, incense, lamps, Naivedya (food offerings) and fruits. Stay awake at night; in the next morning, one should perform the final rituals, including feeding Brahmins, giving donations and Dakshina. After completing all the rituals, then break the fast. Narad ji assured Indrasena that if he performs all the rituals properly on the occasion of Indira Ekadashi his father will get rid of all sufferings and attain salvation.
Following a few days, when the Indira Ekadashi arrived, King Indrasena followed Narada’s instructions, fasted, and performed the rituals. Due to the virtue of his fast, his father got rid of his sufferings and attained salvation.
Indira Ekadashi 2024 muhurat:
The sacred muhurat of Indira Ekadashi tithi starts on September 27, Friday at 1:20 PM and will continue till 2:49 PM on September 28. The puja of Indira Ekadashi should be done during the Siddha Yoga which starts at 6:13 AM. The auspicious time of breaking the fast starts at 6:13 AM on September 19 and continues till 8:36 AM.
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