मोक्षदा एकादशी
Mokshada Ekadashi
Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, a fast for moksha, liberation, for oneself and one's ancestors, falling on Gita Jayanti.
About Mokshada Ekadashi
Mokshada Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Margashirsha Shukla Paksha. It is a fast for moksha, liberation, for oneself and one's ancestors, falling on Gita Jayanti.
Like every Ekadashi it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The fast runs from sunrise on Ekadashi to the Parana, the breaking of the fast, after sunrise the next morning on Dwadashi.
How to celebrate
Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset on Dashami, the day before.
On Ekadashi morning, bathe and take a sankalp, a resolve, to keep the fast.
Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, a diya and fruit.
Read or listen to the Mokshada Ekadashi vrat katha and chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
Stay awake for part of the night in bhajan or prayer if you can.
Break the fast the next day within the Parana time for your city.
Do
- Fruit, milk, nuts, sabudana, kuttu and singhara flour
- Rock salt instead of regular salt
Avoid
- Rice and all grains, beans and lentils
- Onion, garlic, meat and alcohol
The story
King Vaikhanasa saw his father suffering in a dream. On sage Parvata's advice he kept Mokshada Ekadashi and his father was freed.
Questions
When is Mokshada Ekadashi in 2026?
Mokshada Ekadashi 2026 is on Sunday, 20 December 2026. Shukla Ekadashi tithi begins at 10:09 PM on Saturday 19 December and ends at 8:15 PM on Sunday 20 December IST.
When should I break the Mokshada Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 7:09 AM on Monday 21 December to 11:17 AM IST. Break the fast after sunrise and before Dwadashi ends. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
What can I eat during the Mokshada Ekadashi fast?
Fruit, milk and curd, nuts, sabudana, potatoes, and kuttu or singhara flour cooked with rock salt. Grains, rice, beans and lentils are avoided.
Why is rice avoided on Ekadashi?
Grains are believed to hold the sin that sought refuge on Ekadashi. Rice in particular is avoided by everyone, even those who do not keep the full fast.
Around Mokshada Ekadashi
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
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