Mokshada Ekadashi –
The festival of Mokshada Ekadashi is celebrated on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha. The devotees who observe the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi attain salvation, and are liberated from the continuous cycle of birth and death. This fast is observed in almost all regions of India. It is also known as ‘Mauna Ekadashi’ in which devotees remain ‘Maun (silent) for the whole day. In the states of Orissa and South India, this day is also known as ‘Baikuntha Ekadashi’.
What are the rituals of Moksha Ekadashi?
- On the day of Moksha Ekadashi, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath before sunrise.
- They fast for this day as it is one of the most important rituals. During this fast one should not consume any kind of food or drink. Fasting is kept for a period of 24 hours
- Which starts from the sunrise of Ekadashi till the sunrise of Dwadashi.
- During the fast, devotees can consume vegetarian food, fruits, dairy products, and milk. This type of fasting can also be done by pregnant women.
- It is prohibited for the devotees to consume garlic, onions, pulses, grains and rice on the eve of Mokshada Ekadashi.
- The devotees of Lord Vishnu also consume the leaves of the Bel tree.
- Devotees pray and worship Lord Vishnu with full devotion to get divine blessings of the Lord.
- On this special day, some people worship the Bhagavad Gita and also recite sermons in many temples.
- Observers also offer prayers and worship to Lord Krishna. In the evening, devotees also visit the temple of Lord Vishnu to witness the festivities.
- Reading Mukundashtakam, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Bhagavad Gita on the day of Mokshada Ekadashi is considered very auspicious.
What is the significance of Mokshada Ekadashi?
According to Hindu mythology and scriptures, it is believed that the devotees who observe the fast of Mokshada Ekadashi attain salvation and are freed from Pitra Dosha. It is extremely important to observe fast on the day of Ekadashi as it helps the observers to get rid of their past sins. According to Hindu beliefs, devotees who observe the Mokshada Ekadashi fast get the combined benefits of all other Ekadashi fasts that occur in the Hindu year.
What is the legend story of Mokshada Ekadashi?
Mokshada Ekadashi is one of the most auspicious and important 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 the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This is the reason why this day is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti.
Ekadashi fasting day
Apart from Mokshada Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi fasts in a year which fall in Krishna and Shukla Paksha of the Hindu calendar. All these Ekadashi dates are very important in Hindu traditions and are popular with different Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi fasts observed throughout the year.
1 Chaitra Krishna Paksha Papmochani Ekadashi
2 Chaitra Darker fortnight Kamada Ekadashi
3 Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Varuthini Ekadashi
4 Vaishakh Darker fortnight Mohini Ekadashi
5 Eldest Krishna Paksha Aparo Ekadashi
6 Eldest Darker fortnight Nirjala Ekadashi
7 Ashadh Krishna Paksha Yogini Ekadashi
8 Ashadh Darker fortnight Devshayani Ekadashi
9 Shravan Krishna Paksha Kamika Ekadashi
10 Shravan Darker fortnight Shravan Putrada Ekadashi
11 Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Aja Ekadashi
12 Bhadrapada Darker fortnight Parsva Ekadashi
13 Ashwin Krishna Paksha Indira Ekadashi
14 Ashwin Darker fortnight Papankusha Ekadashi
15 Kartik Krishna Paksha Rama Ekadashi
16 Kartik Darker fortnight Devotthan Ekadashi
17 Margshirsha Krishna Paksha Uttana Ekadashi
18 Margshirsha Darker fortnight Mokshada Ekadashi
19 Posh Krishna Paksha Saphala Ekadashi
20 Posh Darker fortnight Paush Putrada Ekadashi
21 Magh Krishna Paksha Shatila Ekadashi
22 Magh Darker fortnight Jaya Ekadashi
23 Phalguna Krishna Paksha Vijaya Ekadashi
24 Phalguna Darker fortnight Amalaki Ekadashi
