Vaishnava Shattila Ekadashi also called as “Magh Krishna Ekadashi” is observed on the 11th day during the Paush Month or the dark fortnight of the Moon. There are 24 Ekadashi fasts in a year and two Ekadashi fast in a month. One during the Krishna Paksh and the other during Shukla Paksh.
Story Behind Ekadashi Fast
The story about Ekadashi fast dates back to a time when, a tail demon, Mura was defeated for the sake of peace by Ekadashi - (The Goddess who was one of the creations of Lord Vishnu.) Getting pleased with the act of killing the demon, Lord Vishnu endowed her that if a person will observe fast, then he will be able to free himself from all sins and impurities in one’s life.
Offer Puja in Temples
Templelinks is a mobile application that connects temples to devotees virtually and offers varied services such as online puja booking, donations, virtual queue, prasadam delivery, audio and image gallery, etc.
Templelinks enables you to book Puja for your loved ones with Multiple profile management and SMS alert systems. The payments are directly transferred to the temple bank account and there are zero processing charges. To be a part of this digital devotional experience, Download the app now from Play Store / App Store!
How to Perform Ritual on Shattila Ekadashi?
1. Rise Early preferably during the Brahma Muhurat (2hours before Sunrise)
2. Take a Purifying bath by adding a few drops of Ganga Jal
3. Light an Oil lamp in your house and do Dhyana meditation
4. Watch LIVE Darshan in Templelinks App - LIVE streaming of Ekadashi Aarti in Vishnu Temples.
5. Chant 108 times Vishnu Gayatri Mantra (Refer Templelinks App)
6. Food and water must not be consumed during fasting hours, however those who cannot observe Nirjala Ekadashi can consume fruits and milk.
7. Break the fast when Dwadashi Tithi prevails, the next morning.
Top 3 Vishnu Temples in Templelinks to Offer Puja:
1. Manikyapuram Sri MahaVishnu Temple: One of the Ancient and old temple, dating back to 1000 years old. The main deity here is Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha Murthy. The deity was consecrated by the family of Vaishya who was living in the village of Marulothumangalam near Thanjavur.
The main Puja offered in this temple is Brahmarakshassinu Puja for Rs.35/-
Benefits of this Puja – Removal of negativity and enemies in one’s life.
2. Thrippavoor Maha Vishnu Temple: This is one of the oldest Vishnu Temple located in Alapuzha district in Kerala. The temple is glorified in the DivyaPrabhanda (A collection of 4000 Tamil verses composed by 12 Alvars) in the early medieval from 6th to 9th centuries AD. This God is worshipped as Mayapiran or Thripuliyoorappan. The main festival of this temple is Ekadashi and ThiruOnam.
The main Puja offered in this temple is Abheeshta Sidhi Puja for Rs.500/-
Benefits of this Puja – Attain Peace, Prosperity, and Purifying of mind, body & Soul. Puja offerings in this temple are equivalent to that done in Tirupathi Devasthanam.
3. Chendathrikkovu Maha Vishnu Temple: This temple is administered by the Paliath group of Devaswom Trust who were Prime Ministers for Maharaja of Cochin for over 150 years ago. The name and fame of this temple is evident in “Vishnuvilasam” – A poetic composition by Kunchan Nambiar’s nephew Ramapanivadan. The Annual Maholsavam is celebrated for seven days after Kodikayattam
The main Puja offered in this temple is Lakshmee Narayana Puja for Rs.131/-
Benefits of this Puja – Liberation from Misery.
Observing Fast on Shattila Ekadashi is important, however, if done without Booking Puja to Lord Vishnu, the devotees will not get the complete benefit of the fast. Book Puja, Donation to Temple, Book Prasadam and Watch LIVE Darshan of Vishnu Temples only on Templelinks App - Download Now!
