Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi is popularly celebrated as ‘Gita Jayanti’ on the ekadashi tithi (11th day) of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during the lunar month of ‘Margashira’. If you follow the Gregorian calendar it falls between the months of November to December. As the name reveals, the observer of Mokshada Ekadashi vrat will achieve liberation or ‘Moksha’ from the cycle of birth and death and reach to the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, ‘Vaikunth’. This ekadashi is observed with devotion and zeal all across India. Mokshada Ekadashi is also referred as ‘Mauna Ekadashi’ and devotees on this day observe ‘mauna’ (no talking) all day long. In some states of South India and the adjoining regions of Orissa, this ekadashi is also famous as ‘Baikuntha Ekadashi’. This ekadashi is very noteworthy as it grants forgiveness for all the evil deeds and sins committed during one’s lifetime.

Mokshada Ekadashi 2023 is on December 22 Friday

2 months and 27 days to go for the event

Lord Vishnu

Rituals during Mokshada Ekadashi:

• On Mokshada Ekadashi day one must get up at sunrise and take an early bath.
• Fasting is another important ritual of the day. The fast of Mokshada Ekadashi involves spending the day without eating or drinking anything. The fasting is done for a duration of 24 hours from the sunrise of Ekadashi tithi to sunrise of Dwadashi tithi. It is a popular belief that one who religiously observes this vrat every year will attain salvation after death.
• Partial fasting by eating milk, dairy products, fruits and other vegetarian foods is also allowed for those who are unable to keep a strict fast. Even a pregnant woman can observe this kind of fasting. Consumption of rice, grains, pulses, onion and garlic is strictly prohibited even for those not observing the Mokshada Ekadashi vrat. Eating leaves of the Bel tree is obligatory for Lord Vishnu followers.
• Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with devotion to seek His divine blessings. On this day the Holy Bhagavad Geeta is also worshipped and sermons are read out in many temples. The observer of this vrat offers prayers to Lord Krishna by following all the rituals of the puja. In the evening they visit the temples of Lord Vishnu to witness the celebrations there.
• On the occasion of Mokshada Ekadashi it is considered auspicious to read ‘Bhagavad Gita’, ‘Vishnu Sahasranamam’ and ‘Mukundashtakam’.

Important Timings On Mokshada Ekadashi 2023

Significance of Mokshada Ekadashi:

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that by observing the Mokshada Ekadashi vrat, the observer can even grant moksha or liberation to their ‘Pitrs’ or dead ancestors. This day is called as Gita Jayanti as on this day, Bhagavad Gita, the well-known Hindu scripture was narrated to Arjun by Lord Krishna, during the epic war of Kurukshetra. For this reason, Mokshada Ekadashi is held auspicious for Vaishnavas or Lord Vishnu followers. The day of Mokshada Ekadashi is also favourable for gifting the Bhagavad Gita to any deserving person so that he/she receives the love and affection of Lord Vishnu. The significance of Mokshada Ekadashi is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and by listening them on this day, the person receives as much merits as achieved from a religious horse sacrifice. It is even revealed in the Vishnu Purana that Mokshada Ekadashi fasting is equivalent to the combined benefits of the other 23 ekadashi vrats in the Hindu year. Such is the greatness of Mokshada Ekadashi!

Mokshada Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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