Shattila Ekadashi: Dates, Timings, Vrat Katha and Celebrations

According to the Hindu Calendar, there are various significant days dedicated to various gods and goddesses. One of the important days is Ekadashi dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th day of every month according to the lunar calendar and each month has two Ekadashis. One Ekadashi falls on Krishna Paksha and the other on Shukla Paksha. Out of 24 Ekadashis (26 during the Hindu leap year), Shattila Ekadashi is celebrated on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Magh (usually the February month). The day is also known as Papharni Vrat and devotees worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna by observing a fast to get rid of their sins and attain Moksha (the cycle of birth and death).

Shattila Ekadashi is known by different names including Shat-Tila Ekadashi, Stilla Ekadashi, Sattila Ekadashi, Magh Krishna Ekadashi and Tilda Ekadashi. As these names suggest, Til (sesame seeds) have a major significance on this day. Donating Til (sesame seeds) and offering them to Lord Vishnu and the forefathers is considered auspicious on the day. So, let’s learn more about the day through its dates, timings, history, significance and the benefits and how to celebrate the occasion.

Dates and Timings of Shattila Ekadashi

As Shattila Ekadashi is celebrated on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in Magh month, this year the auspicious day falls on January 25, 2025 (Saturday). Ekadashi Tithi starts at 07:25 PM on 24th January and ends at 08:31 PM on 25th January. The Prana Time (when you can eat food after the fast) is from 07:12 AM to 09:21 AM. Therefore, the devotees can have their last meal on the afternoon of the 24th and break their fast on the 25th morning. 

If you happen to be in Bangalore, you can book hotels in Bangalore near ISKCON Temple to witness the festivities of the occasion.

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha

According to a legend, Shattila Ekadashi Vrath Katha begins with a wealthy elderly woman who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. She used to worship the lord with great devotion and dedication. Once she kept fast for a whole month to worship the lord and offered a lot for charity including clothing, jewellery and other valuable items but never offered food items or Til to anyone. To make her realise the importance of food, one day Lord Krishna converted himself into a Brahmin and asked the lady for alm. She got angry and offered him a pile of mud. After she died, she went to heaven where she was given a hut to live and a mango tree outside it. When she saw the hut empty, she became sad that after all the worshipping this is what she got.

Lord Vishnu appeared in front of her and told her that she never offered food to the Brahmins so got an empty house. She realised her mistake and asked the Lord for forgiveness. He asked her to observe fast on Shattila Ekadashi which will help her get rid of her sins and get whatever she desires. Upon observing the fast on Shattila Ekadashi, soon started receiving things she desired. Thus the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha makes us realise the importance of donating food and til to the Brahmins on this auspicious day. From that day onwards, Till or sesame seeds are extensively used as offerings to the lord in the form of puja samagri (worship material) and bhog (offerings).

Shattila Ekadashi Significance

Shattila Ekadashi is observed to please Lord Vishnu to get rid of past sins and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Observing a fast on the day has both spiritual and health benefits. Shattila Ekadashi significance includes prosperity, wealth, liberation and spiritual growth fostering compassion and humility.

The day helps one do away with worldly distractions and connect with the almighty.

Health Benefits of Shattila Ekadashi

Along with the spiritual significance, there are various health benefits of observing fast on Shattila Ekadashi which are as follows:

• Natural Detoxification: Observing a fast on Ekadashi, offers a break to the digestive system which further helps to detoxify naturally.
• Improves Gut Health: Fasting at regular intervals reduces the digestive load and improves gut health and digestion.
• Weight Management: With detoxification and improved gut health, it becomes easier to increase metabolism and control weight.

Rituals during Shattila Ekadashi

If you wish to keep a fast for Shattila Ekadashi, like any other Ekadashi fast, it commences on the dawn of Ekadashi and continues till the morning of Dwadashi. The fast is broken during the prana on Dwadashi after prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu. Devotees on Shattila Ekadashi observe either nirjala (without water) fast or falahar (consume only milk, fruits or nuts), some even eat only sesame seeds throughout the day. They avoid eating grains, rice and certain pulses as they are believed to increase tamas (inertia) in the human body which becomes a hindrance in spiritual growth.

However, the consumption of sesame seeds is considered significant as it is considered one of the purest forms of food believed to have originated from Lord Vishnu’s sweat during Samudra Manthan. Adding some sesame seeds to the water is considered auspicious on the day. You can also make ubtan or a paste of sesame seeds and apply it while taking a bath. It is also considered auspicious to use sesame seeds in puja samagri and bhog to be offered to Lord Vishnu. You can also donate the seeds on this day as it is believed that the more you donate the sesame seeds the longer you may stay in heaven.

Here are some of the rituals you can follow on Shattila Ekadashi:

• Skip dinner the previous day, wake up early on Shattila Ekadashi and take a bath adding sesame seeds to the water.
• Clean the house and puja room and make an altar to place Lord Vishnu’s idol or picture.
• Place Lord Vishnu’s idol or picture on the altar.
• Light a diya with desi ghee, put tilak, keep a tulsi leaf, adorn the lord’s idol with a garland and keep a bowl filled with sesame seeds.
• Take a sankalp (resolution) while chanting prayers for Lord Vishnu.
• Add the seeds in Gangajal and sprinkle over the idol or picture of Lord Vishnu followed by bathing the idol with Panchamrit (cow milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar).
• Recite Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
• Perform Vishnu Puja and offer the lord a bhog made of sesame seeds and other food items.
• Donate sesame seeds to the poor.
• Repeat the puja the next morning and conclude the fast during the prana of Dwadashi by eating Prasad.

Thus, Shattila Ekadashi holds both spiritual significance and health benefits. Observing fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu on this day not only offers penance for past sins but also brings prosperity, good health and peace of mind. Donate food items and sesame seeds, clothes and other valuables to the poor. Doing so brings fortune, fulfils wishes and ensures your place is always filled with food and wealth.

If you wish to visit popular Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna Temples in the country on Shattila Ekadashi, you can book budget-friendly Treebo Club hotels. These hotels are strategically located near the famous temples in India and transit points for you to explore. Now that you know all about the occasion celebrate it with great enthusiasm and invite people to celebrate it with them.