ഷട്തില എകദശി വ്രതം 2046

On Shattila Ekadashi, people worship Lord Vishnu and his Baikunth form with full devotion. Sesame seeds hold a big importance on this day and used in 6 different ways. On this day, bathing with water and sesame seeds, applying sesame seeds scrub, doing havana, making dishes with sesame seeds and much more are carried out.

Shattila Ekadashi Puja Vidhi

On this day, worship Lord Vishnu by following these rituals:

1.  Take a holy bath after sunrise, worship Lord Vishnu and offer flowers, incense sticks etc.
2.  After fasting for the whole day, conduct a Jagran and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu in front of Holy Fire.
3.  After that, wake up early on the twelfth day (dwadashi), take a bath and offer food to Lord Vishnu. Feed the Pandits and then only consume food.

Importance of Sesame Seeds on Shattila Ekadashi

As per the name, this fasting ritual is closely connected to sesame seeds. They are said to be of great importance in Hindu religion and said to be sacred and holy. They are widely used to worship Gods. on this day, Sesame seeds are used in 6 different ways:

1.  Soaking sesame seeds in water and bathing with it
2.  Making a cosmetic paste of sesame seeds
3.  Conducting a holy hawan or fire ceremony using these seeds
4.  Drinking water with sesame seeds soaked in it
5.  Donate sesame seeds
6.  Make sweets and dishes with sesame seeds

It is widely believed that donating sesame seeds in this day help you to eliminate bad deeds and with the blessings of Lord Vishnu you attain heaven.

Historical Legend of Shattila Ekadashi

As per religious beliefs, Narad Muni visited Baikunth Dham to see Lord Vishnu and asked im about the significance of Shattila Ekadashi Vrat (fast). After Narad Muni insisted Lord Vishnu, he told that,
In ancient times, a brahmin’s widowed wife used to live on Earth, and she was a my biggest devotee, often worshipping me with full esteem and devotion in her heart. One time she fasted for one whole month in order to seek my blessings. Her body became pure from all the fasting, but she never donated any food to brahmins and gods. So I thought that as this lady would stay unsatisfied in heaven, therefore I myself visited her disguised as a Sadhu/Brahmin.

When I asked her for alms, she brought a pile of mud and kept in on my hands. I brought it back to the Dham. After some time when she died and came to Baikunth, she was provided with a hut and mango tree. Seeing an empty hut, she got worried and asked that even when I am a pious person, why I got an empty hut? The I told her that all of this is due to your lack of donating food and handing me mud. Then I told her that do not open the gates of your hut unless Dev girls tell you the whole ritual for Shattila Ekadashi Vrat.

She followed and fasted as told by Dev girls. With the effects of fasting, her hut got filled with food items and crops. Hence, Hey Narad, anyone who carry out this fast of Ekadashi and donate food and sesame seeds gets blessings, wealth and salvation.