Mokshada Ekadashi

Mokshada Ekadashi is a significant Hindu Ekadashi, a day dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 11th lunar day (Ekadashi) of the waxing moon in the month of Margashirsha (Agrahayana), according to the Hindu calendar. This day is of great importance as it is believed to grant moksha (liberation) to the souls of ancestors, thereby ensuring their peace and salvation. Devotees observe a strict fast, engage in prayers, and perform rituals to honor Lord Vishnu, seeking his blessings for themselves and their departed ancestors.

Significance

The significance of Mokshada Ekadashi is mentioned in various Hindu texts and scriptures, including the Bhagavata Purana. According to the legends, the day is associated with the story of King Vaikhanasa, who was advised by a sage to observe the Ekadashi fast to rectify the wrongful acts committed by his father. By observing the fast, the king was able to alleviate the sufferings of his father in the afterlife, highlighting the ekadashi's power to confer moksha.

Observances

Devotees observing Mokshada Ekadashi follow a strict fast from sunrise on the day of Ekadashi to sunrise the next day. The fast involves abstaining from all grains, beans, and certain vegetables, a practice believed to purify the body and mind. Devotees engage in japa (repetition of Lord Vishnu's name), meditation, and offer prayers and puja to Lord Vishnu. Reading or listening to the Ekadashi Vrat Katha (the story of the Ekadashi) is also a crucial part of the observance.

Cultural Impact

Mokshada Ekadashi is celebrated with great fervor across India and in other countries with a significant Hindu population. Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu organize special pujas and recitations of Vishnu Sahasranama (a thousand names of Vishnu). Devotees also engage in charitable activities, believing that acts of generosity and kindness performed on this day will bring them closer to achieving moksha.

Related Festivals

Mokshada Ekadashi is part of the broader Ekadashi observances, which occur twice a month. Each Ekadashi has its own significance and set of rituals. Other notable Ekadashis include Shayani Ekadashi, which marks the beginning of the Chaturmas period, and Prabodhini Ekadashi, which signifies the end of Chaturmas and is celebrated with the Tulsi Vivah ceremony.