Shattila Ekadashi 2024 Date, Muhurta, Fasting Procedure

Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar tithi in the lunar phase, is celebrated during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) as well as the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the moon). Usually, there are 24 Ekadashis in a Hindu calendar year. During the leap year, two additional Ekadashis may occur. Each Ekadashi is unique and different from the other in purpose, in observance, and in the benefits achieved as a result of observing it. Devotees from India and Nepal observe fasts during the Ekadashi to repair and rejuvenate the body by observing complete or partial fasts. During these fasts, consuming protein and carbohydrates is prohibited and devotees consume only fruits, vegetables, and milk products. The fasts usually start from sunrise on Ekadashi day and last till sunrise the following day. Each Ekadashi is observed based on the position of the Moon.

Shattila Ekadashi, one of the 24 Ekadashis that fall in a year, is also known as Tilda Ekadashi, or the Magh Krishna Ekadashi. The Shattila Ekadashi is observed on the 11th day during the Paush month in the Krishna Paksha. This ideally occurs during January or February in the Gregorian calendar. The word ‘Shattila’ is derived from the words ‘Shat’ implying six and Tila which means sesame seeds. On Shattila Ekadashi day, sesame seeds are used in six different ways including using them in Ubtan, bathing, Havans, Tarpan, meal, and donations.

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When is Shattila Ekadashi 2024?

Shattila Ekadashi will be observed on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The important muhurthas for Shattila Ekadashi are as follows:

• Sunrise February 06, 2024 at 7:08 AM
• Sunset February 06, 2024 at 6:12 PM
• Ekadashi Tithi Begins February 05, 2024, at 5:25 PM
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends February 06, 2024, at 4:07 PM
• Dwadashi Ends February 07, 2024, at 2:02 PM
• Hari Vasara Ends February 06, 2024, at 9:36 PM
• Parana Time From February 07, 2024, 7:08 AM to February 07, 2024, 9:21 AM

The process of breaking the fast is called Parana. Ekadashi Parana should be performed following sunrise on Dwadashi day. Parana should be done within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi concludes before sunrise. One must also avoid Parana during Hari Vasara and should wait for the Hari Vasara moment to conclude before breaking the fast.

What are the benefits of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat?

Shattila Ekadashi vrat, if observed with complete devotion, bestows the devotees with immense wealth, prosperity, good health, and happiness. They are liberated from past sins with the act of donation. The donation can be in the form of food, clothes, money, etc. on the day of Shattila Ekadashi and this blesses them with an abundance of material supplies in their homes.

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Significance of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat

The Bhavishyottara Purana explains the significance of Shattila Ekadashi in the form of a conversation between Pulastya Muni and Sage Dalbhya. As per Vedic astrology, by observing the Shattila Ekadashi, a devotee is bestowed with divine blessings of wealth and health by offering donations and food to the needy. It is believed that one can attain moksha from the continuous cycle of rebirth through this. Devotees donate sesame seeds or ‘til’ on Shattila Ekadashi to be freed from the sins committed by them knowingly or unknowingly in their past or present lives. It is a custom among Hindus to offer sesame seeds mixed with water to provide succor to the souls of dead ancestors.

When a devotee observes the Shattila Ekadashi fast with full faith and devotion, they are freed of their sins, and hence it is imperative to keep utmost control of their senses ridding themselves of anger, ego, and other sinful feelings and immersing themselves in the worship of God. As Shattila Ekadashi 2024 is also observed in praise of Lord Vishnu, a person observing the Shattila fast is believed to attain a place in heaven after death by feeding the poor and offering puja to Lord Vishnu.

Significance of Sesame Seeds on Shattila Ekadashi

Sesame seeds hold a greater significance during the Shattila Ekadashi and the important aspect of this fast is to make the utmost use of sesame seeds (til) in various ways. Sesame seeds are mixed with water and used for bathing. The seeds are crushed to prepare a paste which is applied to the body during the bath. Til or sesame seeds are also offered to the sacred fire during the Havan. Devotees consume savories prepared with sesame seeds on Shattila Ekadashi day.

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Puja Vidhi of Shattila Ekadashi 2024

Devotees observing the Shattila Ekadashi fast should start their day early before sunrise. After having a bath, they clean the puja platform and decorate the altar with flowers and lights. An idol of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna is then decorated and placed on a pedestal. Devotees offer prayers worship the deities with pujas and recite hymns of Lord Krishna and Vishnu Saharasranam. The prasad consisting of food made with sesame seeds, basil (tulsi) water, fruits, coconuts, incense sticks, and flowers is then offered to the deities while chanting the mantras.

The devotees who observe a fast of Shattila Ekadashi 2024 must wake up early in the morning and take a bath with water mixed with sesame seeds. The day is spent in spirituality and not letting any vices take over their thoughts. They should clean the place of worship, decorate and adorn the altar, and then install the statue, idol, or the picture of deities of Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.

Devotees must offer prayers and worship the deities by performing pujas reciting the hymns of Lord Krishna and reading the Vishnu Sahasranama. Devotees refrain from eating and drinking the entire day. If they are unable to follow a complete fast, partial fasting is also allowed during the Shattila Ekadashi vrat, as the significance of devotion to Lord Vishnu holds more precedence than strict fasting. For partial fasts, devotees may consume fruits, milk products, and water. They must refrain from consuming grains, pulses, and rice. Devotees spend the entire day and night chanting the names of Lord Vishnu with immense perseverance and devotion. Yagnas are also conducted with sesame seed preparations which is the important ingredient of this fast. The pujas are conducted the next morning on Dwadashi day and the fast is concluded by consuming the prasad after the pujas and recitations of the Lord’s name.

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Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Each fast has specific significance and the story or legend behind it also varies accordingly. The Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha was narrated by Lord Vishnu to Sage Narada. The story narrated by Lord Vishnu is as follows:

Scriptures state that there was once an immensely wealthy lady, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and performed various charitable deeds for the poor and the needy. She donated clothes and money; however, she never donated food to the poor. Hindu scriptures consider a donation of food as the most significant among donations, which bestows the donor with divine blessings. Lord Vishnu, therefore, decided one day to enlighten her about the significance of donating food to the poor. He appeared in the form of a beggar and requested food from the lady; however, she denied it and sent him away.

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Lord Vishnu, as a beggar, kept coming back insisting on food. Finally, overcome with frustration, the lady placed a clay ball in the begging bowl. Lord Vishnu smiled and thanked the lady and left the place. When the lady went inside her home, she was surprised to see that all her food had turned into clay balls. Whatever food she procured from outside also turned into clay balls. As a result, the lady could not consume food and she went hungry for days. This deteriorated her health. She, then, prayed to Lord Vishnu to save her from her misery. 

Lord Vishnu appeared in her dreams and reminded her of the day she insulted the beggar and drove him with a clay ball instead of food. Lord Vishnu reiterated to her that performing such a sin was the root cause of her misfortune and advised her to follow the Shattilla Ekadashi fast and donate food to the poor and needy on that day.

As instructed by Lord Vishnu, the lady observed a strict fast on Shattila Ekadashi and donated food to the needy and poor. As a result of her devotion, she was once again blessed with prosperity, health, and happiness.