Indira Ekadashi

Story of Indira Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

King Indrasena of Mahishmati was a devotee of Vishnu. One day Sage Narada came with news from Yamaloka: the king's late father was suffering there because of a vow he had left incomplete. He asked his son to keep the Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi and give the merit to him. Indrasena observed the fast with his family, fed Brahmins and donated food. His father was freed and went up to Vaikuntha, and the king himself lived happily and reached Vishnu's abode.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Indira Ekadashi

Indira Ekadashi falls in Pitru Paksha and is the Ekadashi of shraddha. Families do Ekadashi shraddha for ancestors who passed away on this tithi.

The tradition says that keeping Indira Ekadashi gives peace and liberation for the ancestors. It falls in Ashwin Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Indira Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.