Indira Ekadashi
Also called: Indrā Ekadashi
Indira Ekadashi is especially associated with prayers for deceased ancestors and is often observed during the period of Pitru Paksha. Its vrata-katha concerns a king who learns that his deceased father is suffering and undertakes the observance for his release.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Observed on
- The eleventh tithi of Krishna Paksha
- Deities
- Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna
The story
In the popular account, King Indrasena learns from the sage Narada that his father is in a difficult state in Yama's realm. Narada advises him to observe Indira Ekadashi and dedicate the merit to his father. The story says this helps the father's release. The details vary across tellings.
Practices
- Devotees may worship Vishnu and dedicate prayers or the merit of the fast to ancestors. Local rules for Ekadashi and Shraddha can differ, so follow the relevant family or temple tradition.
Common questions
- When is Indira Ekadashi observed?
- Indira Ekadashi is observed on the Krishna Paksha eleventh tithi (Ekadashi) of Ashwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta).
Types of Ekadashi
- Utpanna EkadashiMargashirsha (Purnimanta); Kartika (Amanta)
- Mokshada EkadashiMargashirsha
- Saphala EkadashiPausha (Purnimanta); Margashirsha (Amanta)
- Pausha Putrada EkadashiPausha
- Shattila EkadashiMagha (Purnimanta); Pausha (Amanta)
- Jaya EkadashiMagha
- Vijaya EkadashiPhalguna (Purnimanta); Magha (Amanta)
- Amalaki EkadashiPhalguna
- Papamochani EkadashiChaitra (Purnimanta); Phalguna (Amanta)
- Kamada EkadashiChaitra
- Varuthini EkadashiVaishakha (Purnimanta); Chaitra (Amanta)
- Mohini EkadashiVaishakha
- Apara EkadashiJyeshtha (Purnimanta); Vaishakha (Amanta)
- Nirjala EkadashiJyeshtha
- Yogini EkadashiAshadha (Purnimanta); Jyeshtha (Amanta)
- Devshayani EkadashiAshadha
- Kamika EkadashiShravana (Purnimanta); Ashadha (Amanta)
- Shravana Putrada EkadashiShravana
- Aja EkadashiBhadrapada (Purnimanta); Shravana (Amanta)
- Parivartini EkadashiBhadrapada
- Indira EkadashiAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Papankusha EkadashiAshwin
- Rama EkadashiKartika (Purnimanta); Ashwin (Amanta)
- Prabodhini EkadashiKartika
- Padmini EkadashiAdhik Maas
- Parama EkadashiAdhik Maas