Indira Ekadashi 2024: A Path Towards Spirituality & Moksha

The fast of Ekadashi is observed to obtain spiritual blessings and attain moksha. But did you know that observing a fast on September 28, 2024, aka Indira Ekadashi 2024, can remove the bad karmic deeds of the past life and cleanse your karma?

But there is a twist, too! Alon g with getting rid of bad karma, you can give peace and moksha to your ancestors. Scroll down to learn more about Indira Ekadashi meaning, significance, popular traditions, and remedies! 

Key Dates and Timings for Indira Ekadashi 2024 

• Indira Ekadashi Date: 28th September 2024 (Saturday) 
• Indira Ekadashi Parana Time: 06:19 AM- 08:39 AM 
• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 01:21 PM (27th October 2024) 
• Ekadashi Date Ends: 02:59 PM (27th October 2024)

The Meaning of Indira Ekadashi 

On the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwini month (September-October) in the Hindu lunar calendar, we have the auspicious and sacred day, Indira Ekadashi. Of all the 24 Ekadashis, Indira ekadashi significance is considered special because it falls during the Pitru Paksha or Shradha, also known as ‘Shradha Ekadashi’. 

Observing a fast and praying to Lord Vishnu on this day brings peace to the souls of their ancestors and help them achieve moksha (liberation). People worship Lord Vishnu to get his blessings and pay tribute to their ancestors. 

Also Read: Yogini Ekadashi 2024: Welcome Good Health and Well-Being

Top Reasons Why Indira Ekadashi Is Important? 

Although all 24 Ekadashis are important, Indira Ekadashi during Pitru Paksha has special significance in Hinduism. So, let us learn about the different reasons that make this Ekadashi unique and special! 

• Of the 18 Puranas, the Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions the Indira Ekadashi significance. It says that the virtue (punya) obtained by keeping an Indira Ekadashi vrat is more than performing Kanyadaan and tapasya (penance) for thousands of years. 
• According to Hindu mythological beliefs, a person observing the vrat eliminates his evil karmic deeds and sins committed in his current or previous life. This secures a place in heaven away from the torture of Yamaloka or Naraka. 
• One of the most important Indira Ekadashi significance revolves around the ancestor’s moksha. It is believed that if a person donates something in the name of his Pitru Paksha, then his ancestors directly attain Baikuntha Dhaam.
• All in all, the day of Shradha Ekadashi teaches us the importance of dharma (righteousness), introspection, good karma and punya (penance). 

The Legend of King of Indrasena and Indira Ekadashi 

The origin of Indira Ekadashi vrat katha dates back to the Satyuga, and revolves around Narad Muni, King Indrasena, and his father. Once, Narad Muni visits King Indrasena to tell him about his father’s whereabouts in the afterlife. Narad Muni tells Indrasena that his father is suffering in Yamaloka and asks for help from his son. 

Upon listening to his father’s suffering, King Indrasena became curious and asked Narad Muni to help him free his father from the sufferings of hell. Narad Muni told him that his suffering could only end if King Indrasena observed a fast with utmost dedication and devotion.

As told, Indrasena observed the fast with his family and prayed to Lord Vishnu to send his father back to heaven, aka Brahmaloka. Later, the fast was known as ‘Indira Ekadashi’ vrat, which helps individuals provide salvation to their ancestors. 

Rituals and Traditions of Indira Ekadashi 2024 

The traditions and rituals start a day before Indira Ekadashi, i.e. on Dashami. People consume only sattvic food and avoid consuming alcohol, smoking and non-vegetarian meals. Below are the main rituals and traditions one must follow this Indira Ekadashi 2024: 

• The rituals of Shradh Ekadashi start with purifying the mind, body, and soul by taking a bath. After this, individuals observe a fast and offer water to Surya Devta (Sun) in the morning. 
• After offering prayers to Lord Sun, individuals worship Lord Shaligrama (one of the forms of Lord Vishnu). 
• This starts with Lord Shaligrama being bathed in Gangajal and being given panchamrit (a mixture of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and sugar). 
• After performing this ritual, individuals offer flowers, rice, moli, and tulsi leaves to Lord Shaligrama. In addition to these offerings, people can also provide kheer. 
• Once done, then individuals listen to Indira Ekadashi vrat katha, which mentions the origin and the significance of the day. 
• The rituals of Shradha Ekadashi end with the aarti of Lord Shaligrama and Lord Vishnu. After this, individuals observe the fast for the whole day and eat sattvic foods. 

Prayers and Mantras for Indira Ekadashi 2024 Based on Zodiac Sign 

As per Hindu tradition, following all the rituals and traditions of Indira Ekadashi helps individuals attain Lord Vishnu’s blessings and salvation. However, Lord Vishnu gets happier and more pleased if they chant specific mantras and prayers. So, below are a few mantras as per your zodiac that you can chant on the day of Shradha Ekadashi and eliminate all your problems: 

• Mantra for Mesha Rashi: ‘Om Shri Keshawaya Namah’ 
• Mantra for Vrishabha Rashi: ‘Om Shri Purushttomaya Namah’
• Mantra for Mithun Rashi: ‘Om Shri Padmanabhaya Namah’ 
• Mantra for Kark Rashi: ‘Om Shri Krishnaya Namah’
• Mantra for Singh Rashi: ‘Om Shri Prajapataye Namah’
• Mantra for Kanya Rashi: ‘Om Shri Sarveshwaraya Namah’
• Mantra for Tula Rashi: ‘Om Shri Janardanaya Namah’ 
• Mantra for Vrishchika Rashi: ‘Om Lokadhyakshaya Namah’ 
• Mantra for Dhanu Rashi: ‘Om Shri Hrishikeshaya Namah’
• Mantra for Makar Rashi: ‘Om Shri Chaturbhujaye Namah’ 
• Mantra for Kumbha Rashi: ‘Om Shri Madhvaya Namah’
• Mantra for Meena Rashi: ‘Om Govindaya Namah’

Things to Avoid During an Indira Ekadashi Vrat 2024 

Despite observing the Indira Ekadashi fast with utmost devotion, one cannot save themselves from an ancestor’s anger. The reason? Some common mistakes were committed during the fast. Below are the things to avoid, especially if observing an Indira Ekadashi 2024! 

1. Haircut/Shaving 

People observing the fast must avoid having a haircut or shaving on the day of Indira Ekadashi. Also, they cannot cut their nails on the ekadashi since it is not considered good or auspicious. 

2. Gossips or Lying 

Engaging in gossip or lying about people around you can make your ancestors angry. Therefore, one must avoid gossip, lying, or even cursing to get the blessings of ancestors and remove past life Pitru Dosha from the birth chart. 

3. Anger or Conflicts 

Apart from gossip and lying, people must also avoid having heated arguments with others. They must try to be as calm and collected as possible to avoid getting angry or mean to others. 

4. Tamsik Food Items 

A person observing the Ekadashi vrat must leave eating tamsik food a day before the fast. Tamsik foods include meat, fish, garlic, onions and much more. Instead, they must prefer eating sattvic food items. One must also avoid eating rice, brinjal, carrots and turnip (shaljam). 

5. Smoking/Drinking 

Smoking or drinking is strictly prohibited during the day of Indira Ekadashi especially for the people observing the fast. However, as per astrological beliefs, people not observing the fast must also avoid smoking or drinking. 

Also Read: What is Shravana Putrada Ekadashi? Know the Vrat Katha

Effective Indira Ekadashi Remedies to Please Pitru 

Of all the 24 Ekadashis, Indira Ekadashi stands out for its power to lead us through salvation and seek our ancestors’ blessings. But is fasting the only road to moksha, or are there any other ways to honour our Pitru Paksha? Below are some effective yet simple remedies for Ekadashi!  

• As per Vastu Shastra, the southern direction of the home is dedicated to our ancestors or Pitru Paksha. Therefore, one must light a lamp in this direction. Performing this remedy in the evening provides promising results and brings peace, harmony and prosperity. 
• The next one of the most simple yet effective Indira Ekadashi 2024 remedies includes offering raw milk to the Peepal tree. Individuals suffering from money problems must light a mustard oil diya under a peepal tree and perform 11 rounds or parikramas. 
• Offering black sesame seeds to the Peepal tree on the day of Indira Ekadashi is also one of the most effective remedies. This remedy must be performed by individuals dealing with relationship problems who want to bring romance, passion, and happiness to their love relationships. 
• Additionally, donating clothes, food items like rice or curd or metals like copper or silver to needy people can bring blessings from the ancestors. Likewise, donating to Brahmins on this day is auspicious and can make Pitru Paksha happy and pleased. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Also Read: Aja Ekadashi 2024: A Day to Wash Away One’s Sins!

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