2024 Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi-Rituals And Significance

The festival of Mokshada Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) in the Margashirsha month during the Shukla Paksha.

The devotees who observe a fast of Mokshada Ekadashi attain salvation (Moksha) and get relieved from the continuous cycle of death and birth. This fast is observed in almost all parts of India. It is also recognized as ‘Mauna Ekadashi’ where the devotees observe ‘mauna’ (keep silent) all day long. In the states of Orissa and South India, the eve is also referred as ‘Baikuntha Ekadashi’.

What are The Rituals of Moksha Ekadashi?

• On the eve of Moksha Ekadashi, the devotees get up early morning and take a holy bath before sunrise
• They observe a fast for the day as it is one of the most significant rituals. They abstain themselves from drinking and eating anything. The fast is kept for a period of 24 hours which initiates from the sunrise of Ekadashi to sunrise of Dwadashi.
• In the milder form of fasting, the devotees can consume vegetarian food, fruits, dairy products, and milk. Such a fast can also be observed by pregnant women.
• The devotees are prohibited to consume garlic, onion, pulses, grains, and rice on the eve of Mokshada Ekadashi.
• The devotees of Lord Vishnu also consume the leaves of Bel tree
• People offer prayers and worship Lord Vishnu with utmost devotion to get the divine blessings of the deity.
• On this particular day, some people also worship Bhagavad Geeta and in several temples, sermons are also read.
• The observers also offer prayers and worship Lord Krishna. In the evening, the devotees visit Lord Vishnu’s temple to witness the celebrations.
• It is considered as highly auspicious to read Mukundashtakam, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Bhagavad Gita on the eve of Mokshada Ekadashi.

See Also: Ekadashi Mata Aarti

What is The Significance of Mokshada Ekadashi?

According to the Hindu mythology and scriptures, it is believed that the devotees who observe a fast of Mokshada Ekadashi achieve Moksha and also get liberated from the Pitru Dosha. It is highly significant to observe the fast for Ekadashi as it helps the observers to get rid of all their past sins. As per the Hindu beliefs, the devotees who observe a Mokshada Ekadashi fast attain the combined merits of all other Ekadashi fasts which takes place in a Hindu year.

What is The Legend of Mokshada Ekadashi?

Mokshada Ekadashi is one of the most auspicious and significant days to worship and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. On this particular day, Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu narrated the Bhagavad Gita to King Arjuna while he was on Kurukshetra battlefield. This is why this day is also celebrated as Geeta Jayanti.

Ekadashi Fasting Days

Apart from Mokshada Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi Vrat in a year that fall on Krishna and Shukla Paksha of Hindu Calendar. All these Ekadashi tithi are very significant in Hindu traditions and are popular with various Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi Vrat observed throughout the year.