Shattila Ekadashi 2026

Shattila Ekadashi is one of the most important and spiritually uplifting Ekadashi fasts in the Hindu calendar. It falls in the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the month of Paush. This Ekadashi is especially known for the sacred use of til (sesame seeds) — in giving, in bathing, in worship, and in food. Hence the name Shat-Tila, meaning “six ways of using sesame” during the vrat. In 2026, Shattila Ekadashi will be observed with great devotion by millions of devotees seeking purity, prosperity, and relief from suffering.

Shattila Ekadashi Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Parana (breaking fast) Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026

Parana Timing: 07:15 AM to 09:21 AM

Dwadashi Tithi Ends (Parana Day): 08:16 PM

Note: Devotees should break their fast within the Parana time and after sunrise.

Shattila Ekadashi is a highly auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It emphasizes the use of til (sesame seeds) to purify the body, mind, and soul. Scriptures state that sesame seeds, when used during this vrat, help remove poverty, negativity, sins, and suffering from one’s life. The name consists of: Shat = Six ways Tila = Sesame seeds During this vrat, sesame seeds are used in: Bathing Offering in puja Donation Fire rituals (havan) Consuming food Preparing holy offerings (prasadam)

Thus, Shattila Ekadashi is considered one of the most powerful Ekadashi vrats for charity, purification, and spiritual upliftment.

Shattila Ekadashi holds deep spiritual meaning in Sanatan Dharma. The scriptures mention that observing this fast helps cleanse the soul of sins from many lifetimes and brings divine grace. Connection with Lord Vishnu Shattila Ekadashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Observing this vrat brings: Protection from negative energies Relief from suffering Blessings of prosperity and peace Liberation from sins Importance of Sesame According to scriptures: Sesame seeds are a symbol of purity. They remove impurities from the body and the mind. Donating sesame is said to grant immense punya (merit).

It is believed that those who perform charity with sesame on this Ekadashi receive blessings equal to performing many yajnas (holy rituals).

Anyone seeking peace, progress, and purification can observe this vrat. It is especially recommended for:

1. Those facing financial struggles This vrat is considered very powerful for removing poverty and improving financial stability.
2. Those suffering from health issues Using sesame seeds is believed to remove diseases and promote good health.
3. Couples wishing for harmony in marriage Shattila Ekadashi brings peace and strengthen relationships.
4. Devotees wanting spiritual growth This vrat helps reduce accumulated karmas and promotes inner purity.
5. People dealing with negativity or stress Bathing and worshipping with sesame seeds is said to remove negative energies.
6. Anyone who wants Vishnu’s divine protection Regular observers of Ekadashi receive Lord Vishnu’s full blessings.

Follow these simple steps to perform the vrat properly:

Step 1: Morning Preparations Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta (4 AM–6 AM). Take a holy bath. Add a few sesame seeds to your bathwater. Clean your home and puja area. Wear clean, simple clothes.

Step 2: Take Sankalp (Vow) Sit before Lord Vishnu’s idol or image and take a vow: To observe the fast with devotion To seek peace, prosperity, and spiritual purity To follow all rules with sincerity

Step 3: Prepare the Puja Setup Arrange these items: Idol or photo of Lord Vishnu Sesame seeds Tulsi leaves Panchamrit Flowers Incense, diya Fruits and prasad Water and sandal paste Place a bowl of sesame seeds in the puja area.

Step 4: Worship Procedure Light the diya and incense. Offer flowers, tulsi, and sandal paste to Lord Vishnu. Offer sesame seeds as til-arpan. Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or simple Vishnu mantras. Perform aarti with deep devotion. Listen to or read the Shattila Ekadashi Katha.

Step 5: Fasting Rules You may choose: Nirjala fast – without food or water Phalahar fast – fruits and milk only Ekadashi-friendly food – one meal of satvik food Avoid: Grains Rice Lentils Onion & garlic Non-veg food

Step 6: Evening Puja Light another diya. Offer prasad (preferably made with sesame). Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. Meditate and express gratitude.

Step 7: Parana (Breaking the Fast) Perform Parana the next morning after sunrise, within the specific time: Parana Time: 07:15 AM – 09:21 AM (15 January 2026) Break the fast with: Tulsi water Fruits Light satvik food Charity is very important on this day.

Once, Goddess Lakshmi visited the earth and saw a woman who was very religious but never performed charity. Though she fasted regularly, she never donated food or grains to anyone. Due to this, her home remained empty and poverty-stricken.

Seeing her condition, Goddess Lakshmi appeared before her in disguise and asked for food. The woman refused and said there was nothing to offer. Goddess Lakshmi then disappeared.

After some time, the woman found herself in a divine home filled with beautiful ornaments — but every container in her kitchen was empty. Confused, she prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu appeared and explained:

“You always fasted, but you never gave charity. Because charity completes the vrat, you did not receive its full result.”

He advised her to observe Shattila Ekadashi and use sesame seeds in six different ways — bathing, worshipping, offering, eating, donating, and performing rituals.

The woman observed the vrat sincerely. As a result: Her home became filled with food and prosperity All her problems vanished She received divine blessings

The moral of the story: Fasting alone is not enough — charity completes spiritual practice. Using and donating sesame seeds brings immense merit.

Sesame seeds represent: Purity Protection from sins Health and positive energy Removal of past karmas

Using sesame in six forms is believed to remove poverty and suffering. The six forms are: Tila Snana – bathing with sesame Tila Deepa – lighting a lamp with sesame oil Tila Homas – offering sesame in fire rituals Tila Dana – donating sesame Tila Bhojana – eating foods made of sesame Tila Puja – offering sesame in worship

Observing this vrat with devotion brings many blessings.

1. Removal of Poverty The vrat is famous for eliminating financial difficulties and bringing abundance.
2. Good Health Bathing and consuming sesame improves internal purification and helps in healing.
3. Protection from Negativity Sesame is believed to destroy negative energies and evil influences.
4. Marital Harmony Couples praying together receive peace, trust, and happiness.
5. Emotional & Mental Peace Meditation and worship on this day calm the mind.
6. Karmic Cleansing Using sesame in six ways helps remove sins of past lives.
7. Attainment of Vishnu’s Blessings Devotees receive divine protection and spiritual upliftment.

Do’s Perform charity, especially sesame, food, and clothes Maintain purity of mind and body Chant Vishnu mantras Offer tulsi to Lord Vishnu Listen to the Ekadashi katha

Don’ts Avoid anger, lying, or hurting others Avoid grains, rice, and pulses Do not sleep during the day Avoid onion, garlic, and non-veg food Avoid alcohol or intoxicants

Allowed Fruits Milk, curd, ghee Coconut, dry fruits Rock salt Dishes made with sesame Ekadashi-friendly flours (rajgira, singhada, kuttu)

Not Allowed Wheat, rice, lentils All grains Onion and garlic Non-vegetarian food Spicy or fried junk food

1. Vishnu Mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” Chant 108 times.
2. Shattila Ekadashi Mantra “Om Namo Narayanaya”
3. Shanti Mantra “Om Shanti Shanti Shantih” Chanting mantras brings peace and enhances the benefits of the vrat.

After completing the Parana: Donate food or sesame to the poor Feed cows or birds Offer water to tulsi Eat light satvik food Thank Lord Vishnu for his blessings

These acts of kindness increase the positive effect of the fast.

Shattila Ekadashi is one of the most sacred Ekadashis for spiritual and material purification. By observing this vrat in 2026 on January 14 with full devotion, devotees can gain: Prosperity Good health Peace of mind Protection from negativity Freedom from past karmas Divine blessings of Lord Vishnu

The combination of fasting, charity, sesame use, and devotion makes this Ekadashi extremely powerful. Whether you seek peace, financial stability, or spiritual growth, Shattila Ekadashi provides a divine path to transformation and blessings.