Indira Ekadashi has a great significance as per the Hindu religion. It is considered that by observing fast on this day, one gets rid from all the sins done by him and his ancestors when they were alive. It basically occurs during moon’s waning phase which falls in the month of Ashwin as per the Hindu calendar and in September or October month as per the Georgian calendar. Fasting done on the day of Indira Ekadashi is fully dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. In the north region of India, Indira Ekadashi falls during the PitruPakshShradh. This occasion is believed to provide the worshippers with the blessings of Lord Vishnu and removes all problems and obstacles from their life.
What is the story behind of Indira Ekadashi?
As per an old story, in a kingdom there was an honest king named Indrasen. He was the king who works for the betterment of people and takes care of them. That is the reason why, he is quite famous in other kingdoms too. One day, Narad muni visited the palace of Indrasen and he told him that he recently visited to Yama lok. There he saw king’s father who didn’t get Moksha even after his death and has send him (Narad muni) with the solution.
Narad muni told the king that to avoid all sins of his ancestor, he has to keep fast of Indira Ekadashi and only after that his father would get Moksha. Thereafter, King Indrasen observed the fast on Indira Ekadashi with all his devotion and as a result, his father gets the Moksha.
What are the items require for the Indira EkadashiPooja?
The things that one needs to perform the Indira Ekadashipooja are kumkum, rice, sweets, flowers, coconut, Prasad, idol of Lord Vishnu, roli, moli, and holy water.
What is the significance of Indira Ekadashi?
According to Hindu calendar, Indira Ekadashi falls in the month of Ashwina. It falls in Krishna Paksha that is the waning phase of Moon. English months in which Indira Ekadashi comes are September or October. In some parts of India including Northern parts and Western Parts, Indira Ekadashi is celebrated in PitruPaksha. When it falls in PitruPaksha, it is named as Ekadashi Shraddha. It is said that one who observes fast on this day gets freed from sins and all the evil activities done by him and his forefather. The legends that are involved in Indira Ekadashi are associated with a popular King Indrasena. He was the ruler of Mahishmatipura. He was the devotee of Lord Vishnu and he had great faith in the powers of Lord Vishnu. He was caring, powerful and honest king and was extremely wealthy as he had lot of gold. He had many sons and grandsons. One day, Narada Muni visited the place of king and narrated a story of his visit to Lord Yama Raj. Yamaraj is the God of death. One day before Indira Ekadashi, some special prayers and rituals are performed by the devotees in respect of and remembrance of their forefathers and other relatives. One who observes fast on this day continues it till next morning and eats meats along with the family next day. With this fast, devotees are blessed with the blessings of AshwamedhaYaga. All the desires of the devotees are fulfilled and they are able to lead a happy and successful life. With the blessings of Lord Vishnu, the worshippers gain several qualities like dynamism, creativity, charming personality and qualities of an orator are also developed in him.
How to perform the Indira Ekadashi pooja?
To perform the pooja of Indira Ekadashi, one has to get ready a day before Indira Ekadashi. On a day before, one has to take meal just only one time in a day. On the day of Indira Ekadashi, people used to wake up early in the morning and take bath. Pooja room is washed with water and holy water is spread in the entire house. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu and offer him freshly plucked leaves of Tulsi, kumkum, bananas and other item. After the offerings, aarti is performed and then prayers are carried out throughout the day. Noon time is considered best for the praying of the ancestors. At night, one should recite Lord Vishnu tales and different life events. The fast of Indira Ekadashi should be broken on the next morning and the Prasad should be distributed to all the family members. The environment is filled with positivity with the effect of this puja and the worshippers are blessed with happy and healthy life. All kind of negative energies are removed and devotees are protected from the effects of black magic and evil eye. They are able to overcome the difficulties in life and become successful personality.
What mantras to be chanted?
There are some mantras that should be chanted by devotees on the day of Indira Ekadashi such as Vishnu mantra and Aarti of Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu Mantra:
” OM VISHNVE NAMH ” or ” OM NAMO NAARA-YANAY”.
Vishnu Ji Ki Aarti in Hindi:
ॐजयजगदीशहरे,
स्वामीजयजगदीशहरे |
भक्तजनोंकेसंकट,
दासजनोंकेसंकट,
क्षणमेंदूरकरे |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
जोध्यावेफलपावे,
दुःखबिनसेमनका,
स्वामीदुःखबिनसेमनका |
सुखसम्पतिघरआवे,
सुखसम्पतिघरआवे,
कष्टमिटेतनका |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
मातपितातुममेरे,
शरणगहूंकिसकी,
स्वामीशरणगहूंमैंकिसकी |
तुमबिनऔरनदूजा,
तुमबिनऔरनदूजा,
आसकरूंमैंजिसकी |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
तुमपूरणपरमात्मा,
तुमअन्तर्यामी,
स्वामीतुमअन्तर्यामी |
पारब्रह्मपरमेश्वर,
पारब्रह्मपरमेश्वर,
तुमसबकेस्वामी |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
तुमकरुणाकेसागर,
तुमपालनकर्ता,
स्वामीतुमपालनकर्ता |
मैंमूरखफलकामी
मैंसेवकतुमस्वामी,
कृपाकरोभर्ता |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
तुमहोएकअगोचर,
सबकेप्राणपति,
स्वामीसबकेप्राणपति |
किसविधिमिलूंदयामय,
किसविधिमिलूंदयामय,
तुमकोमैंकुमति |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
दीन-बन्धुदुःख-हर्ता,
ठाकुरतुममेरे,
स्वामीरक्षकतुममेरे |
अपनेहाथउठाओ,
अपनेशरणलगाओ
द्वारपड़ातेरे |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
विषय-विकारमिटाओ,
पापहरोदेवा,
स्वमीपापहरोदेवा |
श्रद्धाभक्तिबढ़ाओ,
श्रद्धाभक्तिबढ़ाओ,
सन्तनकीसेवा |
ॐजयजगदीशहरे ||
What to donate on the festival?
On the day of Indira Ekadashi, people used to donate the clothes, especially the yellow color ones and food to the Brahmins and needy people.
