Shattila Ekadashi 2024 Date, Vrat Khatha, Rituals and Significance

Shattila Ekadashi 2024 observed on 06 February 2024 is a holy Hindu fasting day that holds great significance in Vaishnav tradition. Devotees strictly observe a day-long fast and engage in prayers to Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings for prosperity and spiritual growth. This Ekadashi falls during the month of Magha of the Hindu calendar and is believed to cleanse a person of sins and bestow divine blessings. Pilgrims often visit Vishnu temples, perform charitable works, and stay awake all night in devotional activities. Shattila Ekadashi is a symbol of purity and devotion, which promotes spiritual connection among the followers on this auspicious day.

Magha Krishna Ekadashi 2024

Shattila fast is observed on Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Magh month. There is a tradition of worshiping Lord Vishnu through sesame seeds on Magha Krishna Ekadashi. Shattila means six moles. That means the use of sesame in 6 ways. On Magha Krishna sesame seeds are used in everything like bath, prasad, food, donation, tarpan, etc. On this day, a person should take a bath in the morning and worship Lord Vishnu with sesame seeds. They should be offered yellow fruits, flowers, and clothes. It is believed that by using sesame seeds on this day, a person attains virtue and his heart’s desires are also fulfilled.

Shattila Ekadashi Date 

Shattila Ekadashi on Tuesday, 06 February 2024

Jaya Ekadashi Start Time – 05 February 2024 at 05:24 PM

Jaya Ekadashi End Time – 06 February 2024, 04:07 PM

Shattila Ekadashi Parana time

Jaya Ekadashi (breakfast) time – 7 February, 07:04 am to 09:19 am

Dwadashi ending time on Paran Tithi – 02:02 pm

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat 2024 

Shattila Ekadashi, celebrated on February 6, 2024, is an important Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Vishnu. Worshiping with devotion and following traditional rituals increases its spiritual importance. Here is a brief puja method in points:

Purification (Panchamrit Snan): Start the day by taking a ritual bath to purify the body and soul.

Dress neatly: Dress neatly and conservatively as appropriate for the occasion.

Preparation of puja thali: Arrange a puja thali with items like incense sticks, lamps, flowers, fruits, betel leaves, and holy water.

Lord Vishnu idol or image: Place the idol or image of Lord Vishnu on a clean platform or altar.

Invocation (Avahana): Invite the blessings of Lord Vishnu for worship by chanting mantras and concentrating on the divine presence.

Prasad (Naivedya): Offer offerings like fruits, sweets, and other vegetarian dishes to the deity.

Basil leaves: Use basil leaves which are considered sacred in worship.

Story lesson: Tell the importance of Shattila Ekadashi and stories related to it.

Aarti: Conclude the puja with the singing of aarti to express gratefulness and devotion.

Observance of Vrat: Devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise till the next day by consuming only water or milk.

Night Jagran (Vigil): Some devotees engage in prayers and bhajans throughout the night as part of a spiritual ritual.

Shattila Ekadashi of Rituals 

The importance of Shattila Ekadashi lies in its power to purify the soul and remove sins. Devotees observe a fast, known as Ekadashi Vrat, from sunrise to sunset the next day, abstaining from consuming grains and non-vegetarian food. It is believed that this act of self-discipline promotes spiritual growth by purifying the mind and body.

According to Hindu mythology, the observance of Shattila Ekadashi is associated with a discourse between Lord Krishna and King Yudhishthira. It is believed that King Mandhata, the ancestor of Lord Rama, regained his lost kingdom and prosperity by fasting on this Ekadashi. It is believed that participating in the rituals including prayers, puja and vigil throughout the night pleases Lord Vishnu and brings divine blessings. Devotees seek forgiveness for past sins, spiritual enlightenment, and fulfillment of religious desires.

Shattila Ekadashi of Significance

Shattila Ekadasi fast is an integral part of other Ekadashis. Lord Vishnu/Lord Krishna is worshiped on Shattila Ekadashi. Donation of money, clothes, food, or other such items is important in Ekadashi. Shattila Ekadashi Vrat has a unique significance in that if it is performed with pure intentions, the virtue of wealth and prosperity flows to the person in their next births/reincarnations. The devotee becomes free from poverty spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, and intellectually. This brings an end to all misfortunes.

On Shattila Ekadashi, ‘Til’ or sesame seeds, are used for spiritual purification in six different ways:

• Applying sesame/sesame paste on the body
• Add sesame seeds to water and drink
• Eating sesame seeds
• Offer sesame seeds in Agnihotra
• Donate sesame seeds to people

Shattila Ekadashi of Vrat Katha

According to religious belief, once Sage Narada reached Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. There he asked Lord Vishnu about the significance of the Shattila Ekadashi fast. At the request of Narad ji, Lord Vishnu said that, in ancient times, a Brahmin’s wife lived on earth. Her husband had died. She was a great devotee of mine and worshiped me with devotion. Once he worshiped me by fasting for a month. Due to the effect of fasting, her body got purified but she never donated food for the sake of Brahmins and Gods, hence I thought that this woman would remain unsatisfied even after living in Vaikuntha, so one day I went to her to beg for alms.

When I begged him for alms, he picked up a lump of clay and placed it on my hands. I returned to my abode with that mass. After some time, she left her body and came into my world. Here he found a hut and a mango tree. Seeing the empty hut, she came to me in fear and said, I am a pious person, so why did I get an empty hut? Then I told him that this happened due to not donating food and giving me a lump of mud. Then I told him that when the gods come to meet you, you should open your door only until they tell you the rules for fasting on Shattila Ekadashi.

The woman did the same and observed the fast of Shattila Ekadashi following the methods that Devkanya had suggested. Due to the effect of fasting his hut was filled with food and money. Therefore, O Narad, considers this to be true that the person who observes fast on this Ekadashi and donates sesame seeds and food attains liberation and prosperity.

Wrapping Up

Lord Vishnu is worshiped on Shattila Ekadashi. Some people also worship Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha form. Special importance of sesame has been given to Shattila Ekadashi. On this day, sesame seeds are used in 6 ways. In these, bathing with sesame seeds, applying the paste of sesame seeds, havan with sesame seeds, tarpan with sesame seeds, eating sesame seeds, and donating sesame seeds are done, hence it is called Shattila Ekadashi fast. Through Online Astrology Consultation, you can learn about the importance of Shattila Ekadashi and its effects.