Indira Ekadashi Puja Seva for Pitru Moksha and Shriman Narayana Blessings

What is Indira Ekadashi?

Indira Ekadashi is the Ekadashi tithi of Krishna Paksha that falls during Pitru Paksha. In 2026 it is on 6 October, with Ashlesha nakshatra. It is known as Bhadrapada Krishna Ekadashi in the Amanta calendar and Ashwin Krishna Ekadashi in the Purnimanta calendar. Devotees worship Bhagwan Vishnu on this day for the moksha of their ancestors and for peace in the family.

Ekadashi is the eleventh tithi of each Paksha, and it is very dear to Bhagwan Vishnu. Twice every month, on Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha, devotees keep the Ekadashi vrat to calm the mind and grow closer to Bhagwan Narayana. Indira Ekadashi is the special Ekadashi that comes in the Krishna Paksha of Pitru Paksha, the fortnight set aside for remembering our Pitru.

The name Indira is also a name of Devi Lakshmi, the consort of Bhagwan Vishnu. The story of this Ekadashi is told in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. It says that King Indrasena of Mahishmati learned from Narada Muni that his father was suffering in Yamaloka. Following the advice of Narada, the king kept the Indira Ekadashi vrat with full faith and worshipped Bhagwan Vishnu. By the merit of this vrat, his father was freed and reached Vishnu Loka. Since then, this Ekadashi is seen as a powerful way to help ancestors on their journey.

Other names people use:

• Indira Ekadashi Vrat
• Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Ekadashi
• Ashwin Krishna Paksha Ekadashi
• Pitru Paksha Ekadashi
• Ashlesha Nakshatra Ekadashi (in 2026)

Key facts at a glance:

• Date in 2026: 6 October
• Tithi: Krishna Paksha Ekadashi
• Nakshatra: Ashlesha, ruled by Budha, with the Nagas as its devata
• Main deity: Bhagwan Vishnu (Shriman Narayana)
• Main purpose: Pitru moksha, removal of sins and family well being
• Special offerings: Tulasi, Panchamrut Abhisheka and Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana

Why it matters in Pitru Paksha:

During Pitru Paksha, our ancestors are believed to be close to us, waiting for our prayers. Shraddha and Tarpan give them food and water, while worship of Bhagwan Vishnu on Ekadashi gives them peace and a path to a higher loka. When both are done together, the benefit for the family is said to be very great.

How we help: If you cannot keep the vrat or perform the puja at home, or if you live abroad, our Vedic pandits perform the Indira Ekadashi Puja Seva on your behalf, with your name and gotra in the sankalp.

Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha: The Story of King Indrasena

The Indira Ekadashi Vrat Katha is found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. It tells how King Indrasena of Mahishmati freed his father from Yamaloka by keeping the Indira Ekadashi vrat on the advice of Narada Muni. By the merit of this vrat, his father reached Vishnu Loka.

How the katha begins

Once, Maharaj Yudhishthira asked Bhagwan Shri Krishna about the Ekadashi that comes in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin, in Pitru Paksha. Bhagwan Krishna said that this Ekadashi is called Indira Ekadashi. He said that it removes sins and helps ancestors reach a higher loka. Then he told the story of King Indrasena.

King Indrasena of Mahishmati

In Satya Yuga, there was a king named Indrasena who ruled the city of Mahishmati. He was truthful, kind to his people and a great devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu. He ruled with dharma and his kingdom was full of peace and wealth. He spent his days in the worship of Shriman Narayana and in the service of his subjects.

Narada Muni brings news

One day, Narada Muni came to the king's court. The king welcomed him with respect. Narada Muni said that he had visited Yamaloka and had seen the king's father there. His father was suffering because of a lapse in his Ekadashi vrat in the past. He had asked Narada Muni to carry a message to his son: "Please keep the Indira Ekadashi vrat, and give its merit to me. Then I can be free from this state."

The vidhi taught by Narada Muni

The king asked Narada Muni how to keep the vrat. Narada Muni explained the steps, as they are told in the katha:

• Dashami: Take a bath early in the morning. Offer Shraddha to the Pitru with faith. Eat only one simple meal and avoid grains after that.
• Ekadashi: Wake up early, bathe and take the sankalp for the vrat. Offer Shraddha again to the Pitru, feed brahmanas with respect and offer food to the cow. Worship Bhagwan Vishnu with Tulasi, flowers, incense and naivedya. Stay awake at night with bhajan and japa.
• Dwadashi: In the morning, worship Bhagwan Vishnu again, feed brahmanas and then break the fast with the family, eating in silence.

The result of the vrat

King Indrasena kept the Indira Ekadashi vrat exactly as taught, together with his family and his people. On that day, flowers rained from the sky. His father was freed from Yamaloka and rose to Vishnu Loka. King Indrasena continued to rule with dharma, and at the end of his life he too reached Vishnu Loka.

Moral of the story

• A sincere vrat kept with faith can bring peace to our ancestors.
• Our duty to the Pitru continues even after they have left this world.
• Ekadashi vrat, Shraddha and worship of Bhagwan Vishnu work best when done together.
• Every lapse can be corrected with devotion and a right effort, so we should never lose hope.

Today, many families cannot keep every step of the vidhi because of work, distance or health. Our Vedic pandits perform the Indira Ekadashi Puja Seva on your behalf, with your name and gotra in the sankalp, so that your Pitru receive the benefit of this sacred day.

Indira Ekadashi Puja Sevas We Offer

On 6 October 2026, our Vedic pandits perform the Indira Ekadashi Puja Seva for Bhagwan Shriman Narayana on your behalf. You can choose one of four sevas. In each seva, the sankalp is taken in your name and gotra, and the puja is offered for the peace and moksha of your Pitru and for the well being of your family. Sevakartha from India and abroad can join online.

1. Shriman Narayana Panchamrut Abhisheka Seva

What is included:

• Panchamrut Abhisheka
• Dhravya Abhisheka

Benefits:

• Purifies the mind and brings inner calm
• Pleases Bhagwan Narayana and the Pitru on this sacred Ekadashi
• Removes small obstacles and brings a peaceful start to new efforts

Best for: Sevakartha who wish to offer a simple and sincere abhisheka.

2. Shriman Narayana Sarva Seva

What is included:

• Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka
• Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi
• Tulasi Pushpa Archana
• Naivedya offering
• Mangalaarti

Benefits:

• Complete worship of Bhagwan Vishnu from abhisheka to aarti
• Brings the blessings of Bhagwan Narayana for family peace and well being
• Helps reduce the burden of past sins and supports Pitru Shanti

Best for: Sevakartha who want a full puja for their family with all the main offerings.

3. Ekadashi Maha Puja Seva

What is included:

• Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka
• Sarvalankara with Lotus and Tulasi
• Tulasi Pushpa Archana
• Mangalaarti
• Vishesha Naivedya of pancha phala and coconut
• Grand Tulasi Haar Samarpan

Benefits:

• The most complete seva for Indira Ekadashi, with the special Tulasi Haar offered to Bhagwan Vishnu
• Supports the moksha of ancestors and the removal of Pitru related obstacles
• Invites lasting peace, prosperity and the kripa of Bhagwan Shriman Narayana

Best for: Sevakartha who wish to make a grand offering for their Pitru and family on this Ekadashi.

4. Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana Seva

What is included:

• Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana (chanting of the 1000 names of Bhagwan Vishnu)
• Archana
• Naivedya
• Mangalaarti

Benefits:

• Brings mental peace and removes worry
• Gives the protection and guidance of Bhagwan Vishnu
• Helps remove obstacles in life and supports the growth of good karma

Best for: Sevakartha who love the path of japa and parayana, or who seek calm and steady support in life.

How We Perform Indira Ekadashi Puja Seva

Our Vedic pandits perform the Indira Ekadashi Puja on 6 October 2026 in eight steps: Sankalp, cleansing and setup, Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka, Sarvalankara and Archana, Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana, Naivedya, Mangalaarti and Dwadashi guidance. The steps you receive depend on the seva you choose.

Steps:

1. Sankalp: The pandit takes the sankalp in the name and gotra of the Sevakartha. The purpose is stated, which is the peace and moksha of the Pitru and the well being of the family.
2. Cleansing and Setup: The pandits bathe, wear clean clothes and prepare the place of worship. The murti of Shriman Narayana is set up with Tulasi, lotus and other pooja items. Ganapati Smarana is done first to remove obstacles.
3. Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka: Bhagwan Narayana is bathed with milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar, followed by Dhravya Abhisheka, with Vishnu mantras.
4. Sarvalankara and Archana: The murti is decorated with lotus and Tulasi. Tulasi Pushpa Archana is then offered with the names of Bhagwan Vishnu. (In the Maha Puja Seva, the Grand Tulasi Haar is also offered.)
5. Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana: The 1000 names of Bhagwan Vishnu are chanted. This step is part of the Shri Vishnu Sahasranama Parayana Seva.
6. Naivedya: Fresh naivedya is offered to Bhagwan Vishnu. In the Maha Puja Seva, Vishesha Naivedya of pancha phala and coconut is offered.
7. Mangalaarti: The puja closes with Mangalaarti and prayers for the moksha of the Pitru and peace in the family.
8. Dwadashi Guidance: Sevakartha who keep the vrat are guided to break the fast on Dwadashi with a simple sattvic meal, after worship and after offering food to a brahmana or the needy.

Notes for the Sevakartha:

• Please share your full name and gotra when you book.
• You may also keep the Ekadashi vrat at home, according to your health and family tradition.

Benefits of Indira Ekadashi Puja and Vrat

• Peace and Moksha for the Pitru: As taught in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, this Ekadashi helps ancestors move toward Vishnu Loka.
• Removal of Sins: Worship with faith is said to lessen the burden of past mistakes, including lapses in vrat and dharma.
• Relief from Pitru Related Obstacles: Done in Pitru Paksha, this puja supports families facing repeated delays, family tension or unrest that they connect with ancestors.
• Blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu: Worship with Tulasi and abhisheka invites his protection, peace and steady growth in life.
• Mental Calm and Discipline: The vrat, japa and parayana bring a calm mind and clear thinking.
• Family Well Being: The sankalp is taken for the whole family, so the blessings are shared by all.
• Progress on the Path of Dharma: Regular Ekadashi observance builds good karma and devotion over time.

Who Should Perform Indira Ekadashi Puja?

This puja is helpful for:

• Families who want to help their Pitru reach moksha during Pitru Paksha
• Those who could not perform Shraddha or Tarpan properly in the past
• Sevakartha who feel that Pitru related obstacles affect their family
• Devotees of Bhagwan Vishnu and Shriman Narayana
• Those who cannot keep a full vrat because of health, age or work
• NRI families living far from India who want the puja done by Vedic pandits
• Anyone seeking peace of mind, forgiveness of past mistakes and spiritual growth

Scriptural References for Indira Ekadashi

• Brahma Vaivarta Purana: This is the main source. It tells the story of King Indrasena, Narada Muni and the freeing of the king's father by the Indira Ekadashi vrat.
• Padma Purana: The Ekadashi Mahatmya in this Purana praises the Ekadashi vrats of the year and their power to remove sins.
• Skanda Purana: It praises the worship of Bhagwan Vishnu and the Ekadashi vrat as the path to a higher loka.
• Garuda Purana: It explains the duty of children toward their Pitru, the importance of Shraddha and the journey of the soul after death.
• Vishnu Sahasranama: Found in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, it is chanted on Ekadashi for peace and the blessings of Bhagwan Vishnu.