Great fast when done even Lord brahma will worship you - as in puranas

Flagging in the Temple of Lord Vishnu

Sanatkumar says: "O Narad! Now I am narrating about the flagging fast in order to please Lord Vishnu.

He who performs this fast is even worshipped by Brahma and other deities. This fast accords virtues

equal to those of donating one thousand carats of gold to a Brahmin or those attained taking bath in the

Ganges and worshipping Shivalinga and basil sapling. " The devotee should observe this fast on the

tenth day of the brighter phase in the month of Kartik. He should worship Shri Hari since morning after

taking bath and wearing fresh clothes. He is expected to sleep before the idol that day. Next day, he

should again perform worship, recite Nandishraaddh along with four Brahmins and bathe masts of the

two flags. He should then worship the Sun, the Moon and Garud.

Then turmeric, sandalwood paste are smeared on the masts and white flowers are offered on them.

Thereafter, the devotee must smear just enough ground with cow dung and produce a fire in an altar.

One hundred and eight oblations are made with kheer in this fire. Havan thus performed is directed to

Lord Vishnu, Brahma and Lakshmi then eight oblations are offered reciting -

VENTEYAAY SWAHA.

It is followed by oblations offered to the Sun, the Moon and Kaamadhenu.

The night is passed in worship and performing Havans. Next morning, the same rituals are performed to

worship Lord Vishnu. At last, the flags are carried to a temple of Lord Vishnu and installed at the

pinnacle or on top of a column. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with proper rituals. Circumambulating the

temple, one should then present Brahmins with clothes and Dakshina, feed them and should take food

after all. It is said that as long as the flag flutters in air, as much sins of the devotee are destroyed and he

attains the abode of Lord Vishnu.