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Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Gurubhyo Namaha
Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha

Indira Ekadashi 2023

Indira Ekadashi 10th October, 2023.
The Indira Ekadashi falls on Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi or Ashwin Krishna Paksha Ekadashi every year on the 11th day after the full moon, before Amavasya. There are 24  Ekadashi's in a year and 2 more Ekadashi’s in a leap year.  It is the most important day in Hindu religion mostly followed by Vaishnav Sampraday and it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.  The Ekadashi is observed  by Smarthas as well as Vaishnavas'. Each Ekadashi has its importance with different names and rituals. Vishnu is worshipped in the name of Padmanabha on Indira Ekadashi and is associated with the liberation of ancestors and rendering peace to all souls.

The importance of Indira Ekadashi is to observe fasting, performing pooja, donating food, and gift articles to Brahmins in Mahalaya Pakash. Here Mahalaya means Lord Shiva. 

According to Puranic texts, Lord Krishna explained to Dharmaraj how to perform Indira Ekadashi to satisfy the ancestors and to lead a happy life for their Generations. He also explained how to perform the pooja of Lord Vishnu during Indira Ekadashi. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Padmanabha with panchamrit, a mixture of cow milk, cow curd, cow ghee, sugar, and honey with water as well as tulsi leaves.

Shaligram Shila is worshipped by Vaishnava’s male devotees as Lord  Vishnu. They observe fast and perform Shraddha Karma i.e. death ceremony to their ancestors by offering food to Brahmin pandits with gift articles and some donations in the form of money.  The seven generations of ancestors will be freed from hell (Yamloka) and attains heaven ( vaikuntam). 

It is believed that ancestors will bless the next generations to be happy and healthy forever. Out of 24 Ekadashi, this is auspicious and important as it falls on Pitrupaksha. In some regions of India, they donate milk, curd, and ghee to the Brahmin Purohits. Further in Mantra and Tantra Shastra, there are many sadhanas to appease ancestors in Mahalaya Paksha. Lord Agni got two wives one was Swaha and the second was Swadha. Swaha is used during all auspicious rituals and whereas swadha is used in pitrakarya rituals. During this pitru paksha Swadha stotram is recited as mentioned in Brahmanada Puran.  If the Swadha stotram is not able to recite by anyone at least chant the holy word Swadha, Swadha, Swadha,  three times a day which results in 100 Virtues of Shraddha Karma. 

Pitru Gayatri: Om Pitragnaya  Vidhmahey Jagat dharini Dheemahi Thanno Pitru Prachodayat.