Indira Ekadashi Date 2027: Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, Parana, Ekadashi Shraddha and Pitru Paksha Significance

Indira Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of Ashwin Krishna Paksha, the waning fortnight that falls in the middle of Pitru Paksha. On this day devotees worship Lord Vishnu in his Hrishikesha and Shaligram forms and, by tradition, dedicate the merit of the fast to their pitrs (ancestors). It is the only Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha, so the spirit of shraddha and the spirit of Ekadashi meet on this one day.

Its katha is the story of King Indrasena of Mahishmati. Sage Narada told him that his late father was in Yamaloka and was asking his son to keep the Indira Ekadashi fast for him. The king followed Narada’s instructions, and according to the tradition his father was freed from Yamaloka.

Below you will find the date, parana time, full vrat katha, puja vidhi, mantras, Ekadashi shraddha customs and fasting rules.

When is Indira Ekadashi in 2027? Date, Tithi and Parana Time

Quick answer: Indira Ekadashi 2026 (6 October) has passed. The next Indira Ekadashi is on Sunday, 26 September 2027. As per the New Delhi panchang, Ekadashi tithi runs from about 10:30 PM on 25 September 2027 to about 7:49 PM on 26 September, and parana is on 27 September 2027 between about 6:12 AM and 8:36 AM. Check the exact time for your city in the table below.

Parana depends on local sunrise, so use the table for your city. In India in 2027, Smarta (householder) and Vaishnava (ISKCON and others) traditions observe this fast on the same day. In some cities abroad the two dates can differ, so devotees living outside India should check the table.

Meaning of Indira Ekadashi and Its Other Names

In Sanskrit, “Indira” is a name of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, and the word also carries the sense of beauty and splendour. One common reading is that this Ekadashi brings the grace of Lakshmi-Narayana. Indira Ekadashi also appears by name in the list of Ekadashis in the Garga Samhita.

Neither the scriptures nor the katha fix one meaning for the name, so treat the Lakshmi link as a traditional reading, not a rule.

Other names of Indira Ekadashi

• Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi: the name by tithi in North Indian panchangs.
• Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi: the same Ekadashi in regions that follow the Amanta calendar.
• Pitru Paksha Ekadashi / Shraddha Paksha Ekadashi: how many people refer to it in everyday speech.
• Gyaras: the rural and regional word for Ekadashi, which is why you may hear “shraddh ki gyaras”.

Which month: Purnimanta and Amanta calendars

In the Purnimanta calendar used in North India, the month ends on Purnima, so Indira Ekadashi falls in Ashwin Krishna Paksha. In the Amanta calendar used in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and South India, the month ends on Amavasya, so the same Ekadashi is called Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha.

The fasting day is the same in both; only the month name changes. That is also why Pitru Paksha is called Ashwin Krishna Paksha in the North and Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha in Amanta regions. In the Gregorian calendar it usually falls in late September or early October.

Significance of Indira Ekadashi

Religious significance

Every Ekadashi is dear to Lord Vishnu, but Indira Ekadashi is special because it falls in the fortnight of the ancestors. By tradition, keeping this fast and offering its merit to the pitrs helps them attain a better state (sadgati). Even ancestors who are suffering because of their karma are believed to find peace through this merit.

In the katha, Lord Krishna says the fast destroys the devotee’s sins and that, after a happy life, the devotee reaches the abode of Vishnu. The ISKCON tradition adds that hearing its glories gives merit equal to an Ashvamedha yajna, while some Hindi texts speak of the merit of a Vajapeya yajna.

Spiritual message

• Gratitude: who we are owes much to our ancestors. This Ekadashi is a day to thank them.
• Respect for a vow: the father suffered because he had broken an Ekadashi fast. The lesson is to keep a vow fully, in thought, word and deed.
• Family bonds: a son’s devotion helped his father, showing that love in a family does not end with death.

Mention in the Puranas

By tradition, the glory of Indira Ekadashi is linked to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, the source named by ISKCON and many Vaishnava groups. Some sources link it to the Padma Purana and some to the Bhavishya Purana. Details vary across texts, so this page gives the most widely told version.

Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Yudhishthira’s question

After hearing the glory of Parivartini (Parshva) Ekadashi of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira asked Lord Krishna, “O Madhusudana, which Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin? What is its name, how is it observed and what is its fruit?”

Lord Krishna replied, “O King, it is called Indira Ekadashi. It destroys great sins and gives a good destination even to ancestors who have fallen into lower states. Listen carefully, for even hearing its story brings great merit.”

King Indrasena of Mahishmati

In the Satya Yuga there was a beautiful city called Mahishmati, ruled by a mighty king named Indrasena. He cared for his people according to dharma and was blessed with sons, grandsons, wealth and every kind of prosperity. Even his enemies feared him.

Indrasena was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He chanted the Lord’s names every day and kept his mind on spiritual matters. Yet for all his good fortune, he did not know what had become of his late father in the other world.

Narada’s visit

One day, as the king sat at ease in his royal court, Devarshi Narada descended from the sky. The king rose at once, bowed with folded hands, offered him a seat and welcomed him with arghya.

Narada asked after the king’s welfare and whether his mind stayed devoted to Lord Vishnu. The king humbly replied, “O Devarshi, by your grace all is well, and your darshan has blessed my life. Please tell me what brings you here.”

The father’s message from Yamaloka

Narada said, “O King, I travelled from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, and there in Yamaraja’s assembly I saw your father. He was wise, generous and righteous, yet because an Ekadashi fast was broken, he has to stay in Yamaloka.”

Narada continued, “Your father sent you this message: ‘My son, because of an obstacle from a past life I remain near Yamaraja. Keep the Indira Ekadashi fast of Ashwin Krishna Paksha and give its merit to me, so that I may be freed from here and go to heaven.'”

Deeply moved, the king folded his hands and said, “O sage, I will surely keep this fast for my father. Please teach me the complete method.”

The method Narada taught

Narada said, “On Dashami, bathe with devotion in the morning. At midday bathe again in a river or in running water and perform shraddha for your ancestors. Eat only once that day and sleep on the ground at night.”

“On Ekadashi, after cleaning your teeth and bathing, resolve that you will give up all enjoyments, stay without food today and eat tomorrow. Then pray, ‘O lotus-eyed Lord, O Achyuta, be my refuge.'”

“At midday, perform shraddha before the Shaligram shila. Feed worthy Brahmins with phalahar (food without grain) and give them dakshina. Smell the pinda offered to the ancestors and then give it to a cow. Worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense, lamp, fragrance, flowers and naivedya, and stay awake through the night near the Lord.”

“On Dwadashi morning, worship the Lord and feed the Brahmins. Then eat in silence with your relatives and family. O King, if you keep the fast this way, your father will rise to the abode of Vishnu.” Having said this, Narada vanished.

The fast and the father’s liberation

King Indrasena kept the Indira Ekadashi fast exactly as Narada had taught, together with his queens, sons, relatives and servants. When he broke the fast on Dwadashi, flowers rained from the sky.

By the merit of that fast, the king’s father was freed from Yamaloka and went to Vishnuloka seated on Garuda. Indrasena ruled for many years without obstacles. In the end he handed the kingdom to his son and himself attained the supreme abode.

The fruit of the katha

Lord Krishna told Yudhishthira, “O King, whoever reads or hears this glory of Indira Ekadashi is freed from all sins, enjoys happiness in this world and finally reaches Vaikuntha.”

Variants of the katha: in most versions the listener is Yudhishthira, but in some Krishna tells the story to Arjuna. Most say the father suffered because an Ekadashi fast was broken; some add unknowing sins of a past life. In some versions the father goes to heaven on a celestial chariot, in others to Vishnuloka on Garuda. The core message is the same in all.

Indira Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

The steps below follow the order Narada gives in the katha and the way the puja is commonly done today. Adapt them to your family tradition and your health.

Dashami (the day before)

1. Eat one sattvic meal before sunset. Avoid onion, garlic, meat, alcohol and tamasic food.
2. By tradition, shraddha or tarpan for the ancestors is done at midday on Dashami. Families that follow this should ask their purohit for the time and method.
3. If possible, sleep on the floor or a simple bed, remembering the Lord.
4. Prepare the puja items in advance, and pluck tulsi leaves the day before.

Ekadashi morning and sankalp

1. Rise before sunrise, clean your teeth and bathe. Wear clean clothes, yellow if possible.
2. Place an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu, or a Shaligram, at the altar.
3. Holding water, akshat and a flower, take the sankalp. State your name and gotra and say that you keep this fast to please Lord Vishnu and offer its merit to your ancestors.
4. You may also recite the sankalp mantra given in the mantra section below.

Worship of Lord Vishnu (Hrishikesha) and the Shaligram

1. Bathe the Shaligram or idol with Ganga jal or clean water. You may also do abhishek with panchamrit.
2. Offer yellow sandalwood, akshat, yellow flowers and tulsi leaves.
3. Light incense and a ghee lamp. Offer fruit, dry fruit or a sattvic sweet as naivedya.
4. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. You may also read the Vishnu Sahasranama or the Gita.
5. Read or listen to the Indira Ekadashi vrat katha.
6. End with the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti and the Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti.

Midday: remembering the ancestors and tarpan

1. The katha places shraddha before the Shaligram at midday. Many families today offer tarpan at this time with water mixed with black sesame.
2. Face south, hold kusha grass and offer water while taking your ancestors’ names.
3. Give phalahar, clothes or dakshina to a Brahmin or someone in need, and feed a cow.

Evening and night jagran

1. Light a lamp again in the evening, and one near the tulsi plant.
2. Do aarti and sing bhajans.
3. The katha asks for a night-long vigil. If that is not possible, keep up bhajan, japa or katha until late.

Dwadashi and parana

1. Bathe and worship Lord Vishnu.
2. Feed a Brahmin or someone in need and give charity as you can.
3. Break the fast within the parana time shown in the table above. The katha recommends eating with the family in silence.

Puja Samagri List

• Idol or picture of Lord Vishnu; a Shaligram shila if available
• Ganga jal or clean water, kalash
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
• Tulsi leaves, plucked the day before
• Yellow flowers and a garland
• Yellow sandalwood, roli, akshat
• Incense, ghee lamp, camphor
• Fruit, dry fruit and a sattvic sweet for naivedya
• Black sesame, barley, kusha grass and a copper vessel for tarpan
• Fodder, jaggery or roti for a cow
• Grain, clothes or fruit for donation
• Tulsi mala for japa and the vrat katha book

Indira Ekadashi Mantras

Faith and focus matter most in japa. Chant any one or more of these as you are able; 108 repetitions on a tulsi mala is considered auspicious.

1. Ekadashi fast sankalp mantra

अद्य स्थित्वा निराहारः सर्वभोगविवर्जितः। श्वो भोक्ष्ये पुण्डरीकाक्ष शरणं मे भवाच्युत॥

Adya sthitva niraharah sarvabhoga-vivarjitah, shvo bhokshye pundarikaksha sharanam me bhavachyuta.

Meaning: “O lotus-eyed Lord, today I will stay without food, giving up all enjoyments, and I will eat tomorrow. O Achyuta, be my refuge.” Narada asks for a resolve in exactly this spirit in the Indira Ekadashi katha. A verse with the same meaning, in slightly different words, appears in the Varaha Purana.

2. Dvadashakshara mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya. Meaning: salutations to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu), who dwells within all beings. This twelve-syllable mantra is the one most chanted on every Ekadashi.

3. Vishnu Gayatri mantra

ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat. Meaning: we contemplate Narayana and meditate on Vasudeva; may Lord Vishnu guide our intellect on the right path.

4. Hare Krishna Mahamantra

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥

Meaning: remembrance of the Lord’s holy names, which purifies and calms the mind. It is chanted especially on Ekadashi in the Vaishnava tradition.

Reliable sources do not give a separate, well-known “special mantra” for Indira Ekadashi. For mantras of shraddha for the ancestors, ask your family purohit, since they are recited according to family and gotra.

Indira Ekadashi and Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha, also called Shraddha Paksha, is the roughly fifteen-day period from Bhadrapada Purnima (or the Pratipada after it) to Ashwin Amavasya, known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya. In these days families perform shraddha, tarpan and charity for their ancestors on the tithi of their passing. Indira Ekadashi is the Ekadashi of this fortnight.

The only Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha

There is one Ekadashi in each paksha, so this is the only Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha. Shraddha is done for the satisfaction of the ancestors and Ekadashi for devotion to Vishnu. On Indira Ekadashi the two streams meet, because its own katha prescribes both shraddha and the fast.

Dedicating the merit of the fast to the ancestors

King Indrasena gave the merit of his fast to his father. Following this, devotees today pray during the sankalp or before parana that the merit of the fast may reach their ancestors. No elaborate procedure is needed; a sincere prayer with folded hands, naming your ancestors, is considered enough.

Shraddha and the Indira Ekadashi fast: the difference

Shraddha is a rite for the ancestors, with tarpan, pind daan, feeding Brahmins and charity. The Indira Ekadashi fast is worship of Lord Vishnu through restraint, puja and fasting. Their purposes differ, so someone who has already done shraddha can still keep the fast, and someone fasting can still perform the family shraddha on its tithi.

Ekadashi Shraddha: For Whom and How

Each tithi of Pitru Paksha has its own shraddha. Ekadashi Shraddha, also called Gyaras Shraddha, is performed for family members who passed away on an Ekadashi tithi of either the Shukla or the Krishna Paksha of any month. In Pitru Paksha it usually falls on or near Indira Ekadashi; check your panchang for the exact day.

Timing of the shraddha

Panchangs place Pitru Paksha shraddha at midday: the Kutup muhurat, the Rohina muhurat and then the Aparahna period that follows. Shraddha is not done early in the morning or after sunset. You can check your city’s timings in the Daily Panchang.

General method of Ekadashi shraddha

• Bathe, wear clean clothes and clean the place of worship.
• Face south and offer tarpan with kusha, black sesame, barley and water.
• Offer pind daan if it is your family’s practice.
• Set aside portions of food for a cow, a dog and crows; many families also leave some for ants.
• Feed a Brahmin and offer clothes and dakshina, or feed someone in need.
• Donate grain, clothes or money as you can.

Shraddha food on Ekadashi: grain or phalahar?

This is the question asked most often. In the Indira Ekadashi katha, Narada asks for Brahmins to be fed phalahar (grain-free food), and for the pinda to be smelled and given to a cow rather than eaten. For this reason many families cook phalahari food for a shraddha that falls on Ekadashi.

Other families cook the usual shraddha meal, and the person who is fasting simply does not eat it. Customs differ by region and family, so follow what your purohit or elders advise. Whoever is fasting should keep the fast until parana.

Who can perform shraddha

Traditionally the eldest son or another male member performs shraddha, but where that is not possible another responsible member may do it according to family custom. There is no such condition for keeping the Indira Ekadashi fast; any member of the family can keep it with devotion.

Indira Ekadashi Fasting Rules: What to Eat and What to Avoid

The basic rule of Ekadashi is no grain, especially no rice. Choose the type of fast that suits your health and capacity.

What you can eat

• Seasonal fruit such as banana, apple, papaya and pomegranate
• Milk, curd, buttermilk and paneer
• Dry fruit such as almonds, raisins and walnuts
• Sabudana, kuttu, singhara and rajgira (as per family tradition)
• Potato, sweet potato and bottle gourd (accepted in many traditions)
• Sendha (rock) salt instead of regular salt
• Water, coconut water and fruit juice

What to avoid

• Rice and anything made from rice
• Wheat, pulses, maize and other grains
• Onion, garlic and tamasic food
• Meat, fish, eggs and alcohol
• Tobacco and other intoxicants
• Grain-based shraddha food served at others’ homes (on the fasting day)

Nirjala fast

A nirjala fast means no food and no water until parana. The katha speaks of staying “nirahar” (without food), but keep a nirjala fast only if your health allows it.

Phalahar fast

Most people keep a phalahar fast: fruit, milk, dry fruit and permitted fasting foods, but no grain. It keeps up your energy while maintaining restraint.

Ek samay (one meal)

Those who cannot fast fully may eat one sattvic, fast-friendly meal during the day, still without grain or rice.

Health caution: if you have diabetes, blood pressure, kidney or heart conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are elderly or take regular medicines, consult your doctor before a strict or nirjala fast. A phalahar fast, one meal, or simply puja and japa is a complete fast of devotion.

Indira Ekadashi Parana: When and How to Break the Fast

The Ekadashi fast is broken the next day, on Dwadashi tithi. This is called parana. The right time depends on your city’s sunrise and on Dwadashi tithi, so check the exact parana time for your city in the table above.

• Within Dwadashi: complete parana before Dwadashi tithi ends. Breaking the fast after Dwadashi is not recommended.
• Not during Hari Vasara: the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi is Hari Vasara, and parana is not done then. Wait for it to end.
• Morning is best: early morning is the preferred time; avoid parana at midday (madhyahna) if you can.
• Smarta and Vaishnava: in years when Ekadashi spans two days, Smartas fast on the first day and Vaishnavas (sannyasis, ISKCON and others) on the second. Follow your tradition; the table shows both.

How to do parana

1. Bathe on Dwadashi, worship Lord Vishnu and offer tulsi.
2. Pray that the merit of the fast may reach your ancestors.
3. Feed a Brahmin or someone in need, or set food and dakshina aside for them.
4. Break the fast with prasad, a tulsi leaf or water.
5. Eat something light and sattvic first. The katha recommends eating with the family in silence.

Indira Ekadashi Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Worship Lord Vishnu and the Shaligram and offer tulsi leaves.
• Read or listen to the Indira Ekadashi katha.
• Offer tarpan in your ancestors’ names, or at least remember them with love.
• Feed a cow, crows, dogs and people in need.
• Donate grain, clothes or money as you can.
• Do parana on time and in the right way.

Don’ts

• Do not eat rice, grain, onion, garlic or non-vegetarian food.
• Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi; pluck them the day before.
• Avoid anger, lies, gossip and harsh words.
• Avoid sleeping during the day as far as possible.
• In keeping with Pitru Paksha, stay away from indulgence and celebrations.
• Do not do parana during Hari Vasara or after Dwadashi has ended.

Indira Ekadashi Myths and Facts (Myth vs Reality)

Myth: Keeping Indira Ekadashi guarantees moksha for the ancestors.

Reality: the liberation of the ancestors is a deep religious belief rooted in the katha and the Puranic tradition. Treat it as a matter of faith, not a guarantee. Any claim about the afterlife rests on faith, and that faith is what gives this fast its meaning.

Myth: Pitru Paksha is for shraddha, so one should not keep an Ekadashi fast in it.

Reality: the Indira Ekadashi katha itself prescribes shraddha on Dashami, the fast on Ekadashi and feeding Brahmins on Dwadashi. The tradition treats shraddha and Ekadashi as companions, not opposites.

Myth: Only a son can keep this fast; the merit of a daughter’s or wife’s fast does not reach the ancestors.

Reality: in the katha a son keeps the fast, but there is no condition of gender or relationship for keeping an Ekadashi fast. Any devotee can keep it and offer its merit to the ancestors. Who performs the shraddha rite depends on family tradition.

Myth: If you skip Indira Ekadashi, angry ancestors will bring trouble on the family.

Reality: ancestors are regarded as well-wishers of the family, not punishers. The fast is kept out of love and gratitude, not fear. If you cannot fast, remembering your ancestors, tarpan, charity or hearing the katha are all forms of devotion. Be wary of fear-based talk about “pitru dosh”.

Myth: Without a nirjala fast, Indira Ekadashi gives no merit.

Reality: the scriptures ask you to fast according to your capacity. Phalahar and one meal are valid fasts. The sick, pregnant women, the elderly and those on medication should keep a lighter fast on medical advice; the intention matters most.

Benefits of Indira Ekadashi (Religious Beliefs)

The benefits below are beliefs found in the tradition and the katha. Hold them with faith, not as guaranteed results.

• Good destination for the ancestors: the merit of the fast is believed to bring peace to suffering ancestors and raise them to higher realms.
• Removal of sins: according to the katha, the fast lessens sins committed knowingly or unknowingly.
• Blessings of the pitrs: pleased ancestors are believed to bless the family with happiness, peace and the growth of the lineage.
• Peace of mind: fasting, japa and meditation calm the mind and deepen the sense of connection with one’s roots.
• Merit of hearing the katha: the tradition says that even reading or hearing the story brings great merit.
• Devotion to Vishnu: the fast is believed to bring Lord Vishnu’s grace and lead finally to his abode.

Related Ekadashi and Readings

Before Indira Ekadashi comes Parivartini Ekadashi in Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha, when Lord Vishnu is said to turn sides in his Chaturmas sleep. After it, in Ashwin Shukla Paksha, once Pitru Paksha and Navratri are over, comes Papankusha Ekadashi. For all Ekadashi dates of the year, see our Ekadashi Kab Hai page.

During puja you can sing the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti, the Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti and the Tulsi Mata Ki Aarti. See the Daily Panchang for Pitru Paksha tithis and shraddha muhurats, and the Aarti Sangrah PDF for all aartis.

Indira Ekadashi reminds us that our roots lie in our ancestors, and that gratitude to them is itself a form of devotion. Like King Indrasena, remember your pitrs with love and faith, and keep this fast as your health allows. May Lord Hrishikesha grant peace to your ancestors and keep his grace upon your family. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Frequently asked questions