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Spiritual Significance
Shattila Ekadashi falls on the 11th day of the dark fortnight of Magh month and is named for the six different uses of sesame (tila) seeds on this day. According to the Bhavishya Purana, sesame is mixed with water for bathing, in food eaten, offered to fire, applied on the body, donated to others, and scattered around the home. Each use destroys different categories of sins.
How to Celebrate in United States
Observing Shattila Ekadashi in United States is highly auspicious. Because local timezone sunrise and moonrise times differ, follow these practices:
- Align Fasting with Local Sunrise: Start your vrat precisely at sunrise in New York (approx 06:00 local time), rather than following Indian Standard Time.
- Perform Puja during local Auspicious Hours: Make sure to perform the main rituals during local EST evening/night windows as shown above.
- Bathing water mixed with sesame seeds
- Offering sesame in homa (sacred fire)
- Applying sesame paste on the body
- Eating sesame-based foods like til ladoo
- Donating sesame seeds and til-based sweets to Brahmins
Auspicious Items to Prepare
🌸 Sesame seeds (black til)🌸 Til ladoo🌸 Sesame oil🌸 Tulsi🌸 Water pot