Ekadashi Shraddha
Also called: Gyaras Shraddha
Dedicated to ancestors who passed away on an Ekadashi tithi, as well as ascetics and devout Vaishnavas who dedicated their lives to Lord Vishnu.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Observed on
- Krishna Ekadashi tithi
- Deities
- Departed Vaishnava Ancestors, Lord Vishnu
The story
Vaishnava texts state that souls who depart on Ekadashi attain auspicious spiritual states; descendants observing their rites ensure their permanent liberation.
Practices
- Performing Tarpan with tulsi leaves and black sesame
- Offering fruits, milk sweets, and non-grain preparations if observing Ekadashi fast
- Feeding Vaishnava sadhus and seekers
Regional variations
- In Vaishnava families, strict Ekadashi fasting is harmonized with ancestral water offerings
Common questions
- How do you offer food on Ekadashi Shraddha if fasting?
- Cooked food is offered to Brahmins who are not fasting, or grain-free satvik offerings are prepared, followed by dakshina.
Types of Pitru Paksha
- Purnima ShraddhaPurnima tithi preceding the dark fortnight
- Pratipada ShraddhaKrishna Pratipada tithi
- Dwitiya ShraddhaKrishna Dwitiya tithi
- Tritiya ShraddhaKrishna Tritiya tithi
- Chaturthi ShraddhaKrishna Chaturthi tithi
- Bharani ShraddhaChaturthi or Panchami coinciding with Bharani Nakshatra
- Panchami ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Shashthi ShraddhaKrishna Shashthi tithi
- Saptami ShraddhaKrishna Saptami tithi
- Ashtami ShraddhaKrishna Ashtami tithi
- Navami ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Dashami ShraddhaKrishna Dashami tithi
- Ekadashi ShraddhaKrishna Ekadashi tithi
- Dwadashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Trayodashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Chaturdashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Sarva Pitru AmavasyaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)