Indira Ekadashi fast 2017: Puja timings, Vidhi and significance

New Delhi: Indira Ekadashi this year is observed on September 16, 2017. On this day, people who keep fast perform the Shraadh rites of their family member who has left this world for the heavenly abode. Lord Vishnu is worshipped on Indira Ekadashi vrat.

It is said that devotees offer Tulsi leaves, fruits and flowers to the Lord at the time of the puja. Visiting a Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi temple on this day can give fruitful results. The rituals start from a day prior to the Ekadashi, which means on Dashami, the 10th day. The vrat starts one day in advance.

On Dashami, Shraadh rites of the ancestors are performed and prayers are said for the souls who have left their loved ones. Then the meal must be taken before sunrise, keeping in view with the fact that on the day of Ekadashi, a complete fast must be observed.

The vrat starts from sunrise a day in advance and ends on Dwadashi, the next day only after prayers to Lord Vishnu have been made. As per an old ritual, as the day happens to fall during Pitra Paksha, food is first offered to the pujaris (priests) and cows ahead of others' eating it.

On Indira Ekadashi, the devotee who is keeping the vrat gets up early (preferably before sunrise), takes a bath and starts his/her day with reverence to Lord Vishnu. Also, the entire night passes by in remembering the lord and singing his hymns and prayers. Reading Vishnu Sahastranaam' and reciting Lord's stories to others can be a good way to offer your prayers to the God.

Not to forget, special Shraadh prayers can be offered to the relatives and forefathers who are no longer with us. Pitra Paksha is the time when you can make several offerings in their name and donate food, clothes and other important stuff to the needy. The afternoon time is considered auspicious for 'Shraadh' prayers.

Significance:

It is believed that all those who observe the Indira Ekadashi Vrat get blessings of Lord Vishnu and lead a prosperous life. The legend even has it that anyone who prays to the lord and keeps the vrat reaps the same benefit that one receives by performing the ‘Ashwamedha Yagya’.

Interestingly, the relevance and importance of Indira Ekadashi Vrat are mentioned in the Brahamavaivarta Purana and Lord Shri Krishna told Yudhishthir in Mahabharata.

Timings 

September 17, Parana Time: 06:10 to 08:36

On Parana Day Dwadashi Ends: 14:42 pm

Ekadashi Tithi Begins: September 15, 18:29 pm

Ekadashi Tithi Ends: September 16, 16:30 pm

Hari Vasara End Moment: September 16, 22.03 pm

Parana Time: 06.17 am-08.43 am

(Timing chart is attributed to ProKerala.com report).