Auspicious Timings of Shattila Ekadashi 2026 ( 14 January 2026)

Story Behind Shattila Ekadashi

Shaittila Ekadashi, observed in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Magha, bestows the devotee with the blessing of Vishnu Ji. But what is the story behind it? Pandit Mukesh Sharma narrates the time of Sage Narad’s journey to Vaikunth. This time, he came with a goal to understand the importance of Shattila Ekadashi from Vishnu ji himself. When Vishnu heard his continued questions in this regard, he finally responded. He recited one of the tales of his female brahmin devotee. The story follows: “There lived a Brahmini on Earth who was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu.​ As per the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat Katha, she almost merited a place in his abode with dedicated rituals and a month of fasts. However, only one ritual made her way far from satisfaction. She was stingy enough to neglect food offering service to Brahmins and deities. Her negligence was such that she could not see Vishnu ji himself in the disguise of the beggar. In her ego, she gave him a ball of clay instead of the alms that he asked for. Her act retaliated soon. After passing, she earned a place in Vaikuntha with a hut. However, the hut was all empty, near a mango tree. When she asked Shri Hari about why her devotion provided her with an empty hut? The preserver responded that you failed to donate food and offered me clay instead of alms. This empty hut is the fruit of what you sow.​​ However, she was a devotee, and Lord Vishnu always honoured his devotees. He commanded her to leave the door of her hut unopened when the celestial maiden knock. Their knocking should follow the instructions of Shattila Ekadashi fast rituals. Brahmini did the same, followed every instruction of Devakanya, and took Shattila Ekadashi fast. Once the fast ended, her hut was filled with food and wealth. Such is the glory of this fast. Shattila Ekadashi meaning and significance of its fast is huge. The observer of this fast attains the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who blesses them with liberation and prosperity in their life.​

Puja Procedure of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat​

The discipline of the Shattila Ekadashi vrat begins from the Dashami tithi. Here is how you perform the puja and rituals starting from the Dashami tithi:​

On Dashami, avoid eating after sunset and, before going to bed, spend time meditating on Lord Vishnu.

On the day of Shattila Ekadashi, wake up early, complete daily activities, and take a bath by adding sesame seeds to the water.

After this, with full devotion to Lord Vishnu, take a vow to observe the fast.

Then, place the idol or image of Lord Vishnu on a clean pedestal.

Mix sesame seeds with Ganga water and sprinkle it over the idol, followed by Abhishek using Panchamrit prepared with milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee, and sesame seeds.

Light a pure ghee lamp before Lord Vishnu and offer flowers.

Do Vishnu Aarti with incense and lamps, and chant the Vishnu Sahasranama.

After properly ending the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat puja, offer sesame seeds as bhog to Lord Vishnu and accept them as Prasad.

The Two Ways to Fast​

There are two ways to observe this fast. The first is the Nirjala fast, and the second is the Phalahari fast. Devotees who are physically fit may observe the Nirjala fast. If Nirjala fasting feels difficult, one may opt for the Phalahari fast, which is generally observed with water or fruits.​

How Should You Fast for Shattila Ekadashi?​

As per Shattila Ekadashi ki Katha, fasting for Shattila Ekadashi comes with some rules. Indeed, the most important requirement for Shattila Ekadashi fast is to have devotion and love for Lord Vishnu. However, you should follow a few procedures to complete the fast. They include:​

On the day of Dashami, avoid eating after sunset and, before going to sleep, spend some time meditating on Lord Vishnu.

On Shattila Ekadashi, wake up early, complete your daily routine, and take a bath by adding sesame seeds to the water. After this, with devotion to Lord Vishnu, take a vow to observe the fast.

Then, place the idol or image of Lord Vishnu on a clean pedestal. Mix sesame seeds with Ganga water and sprinkle it on the idol, followed by a ritual bath using Panchamrit prepared with milk, curd, honey, sugar, ghee, and sesame seeds. Light a pure ghee lamp before Lord Vishnu and offer flowers. Perform Vishnu Aarti with incense and lamps, and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.

After completing the Shattila Ekadashi Vrat puja, offer sesame seeds as bhog to Lord Vishnu and receive them as Prasad.

Auspiciousness of Shattila Ekadashi Fast​

Shattila Ekadashi Vrat is a day of purification. Through this fast, you purify your body and mind. It is why this day is said to be pious for carrying out various activities. Those activities include:​

Visit a temple, light a diya in front of Shiva Ji, and worship him. You can also offer water on the Shivling and black sesame seeds along with chanting the Shri Ram name 108 times.​

In the evening, worship Hanuman ji, light a diya in front of him while chanting Sita Ram 108 times.

The next day, wake up in the morning and do Tulsi arghya. On the evening of the same day, lit a diya in front of the Tulsi plant.

What is the significance of Shattila Ekadashi?​

Shattila Ekadashi is observed to seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu for the removal of past sins and liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Fasting on this day is believed to bring spiritual upliftment along with health benefits.​

Can we drink water on Shattila Ekadashi?​

Ideally, one should observe a Nirjala fast by avoiding both food and water on Ekadashi. If this is difficult, drinking water is permitted. If even that is not possible, the fast can be observed by consuming fruits.​

Why Six Sesame Seeds on Shattila Ekadashi?​

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What to donate on Shattila Ekadashi?​