पापमोचनी एकादशी
Papamochani Ekadashi
Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, the last Ekadashi of the Hindu year, kept for release from sins.
About Papamochani Ekadashi
Papamochani Ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Chaitra Krishna Paksha. It is the last Ekadashi of the Hindu year, kept for release from sins.
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 Papamochani 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
Sage Medhavi's penance was broken by the apsara Manjughosha, and he cursed her. Both kept Papamochani Ekadashi on the advice of his father and were freed of their faults.
Questions
When is Papamochani Ekadashi in 2026?
Papamochani Ekadashi 2026 is on Sunday, 15 March 2026. Krishna Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:11 AM on Saturday 14 March and ends at 9:16 AM on Sunday 15 March IST.
When should I break the Papamochani Ekadashi fast?
In New Delhi, Parana is from 6:30 AM on Monday 16 March to 9:40 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 Papamochani 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.
Coming up
- Karva ChauthThu 29 Oct
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
Never miss a vrat
Subscribe once and every date appears in your phone calendar, with a reminder the evening before. New years are added automatically.
Every festival and vrat
Ekadashis only