Mohini Ekadashi 2026

Mohini Ekadashi: The Ekadashi That Frees the Mind from Delusion

Mohini Ekadashi is observed on Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakha. It remembers the day Lord Vishnu took the enchanting Mohini form to distribute amrita to the Devas after the churning of the ocean. Devotees keep a fast, worship Vishnu and chant his names.

The Story Behind the Vrata

When the Devas and Asuras quarrelled over the nectar that came from the Ksheera Sagara, Sri Hari appeared as Mohini, charmed the Asuras and served the amrita to the Devas. The episode shows that the Lord takes any form needed to protect dharma.

The glory of this Ekadashi is said to have been told by Sage Vasishtha to Sri Rama, and by Sri Krishna to Yudhishthira. In the city of Bhadravati, a virtuous merchant named Dhanapala had a son, Dhrishtabuddhi, who wasted everything on bad habits and fell into great misery. He finally went to Sage Kaundinya, who told him to observe the Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi fast. By keeping it sincerely, Dhrishtabuddhi was freed from his sins.

How to Do the Puja

• Eat a light, satvik meal on Dashami night and bathe early on Ekadashi morning.
• Clean the puja room and decorate a picture of Lord Vishnu or Sri Venkateswara with turmeric and kumkum.
• Light the lamp and offer tulasi leaves, yellow flowers and sandal paste.
• Recite Vishnu Sahasranamam and read or listen to the Mohini Ekadashi vrata katha.
• Offer fruits, milk or jaggery payasam as naivedyam and perform harathi.
• If possible, keep jagarana at night with bhajans and nama sankirtana.

Fasting Rules

Rice and grains are avoided on Ekadashi. Those who are able keep a full fast; others take fruits, milk and boiled tubers. Elders, pregnant women and anyone unwell should fast only as their health allows. The fast is broken on Dwadashi (parana) within the proper time after offering food to the Lord.

Significance

Moha means the delusion that clouds the mind. Elders believe this vrata clears that fog and turns the mind towards God. Vaishakha is dear to Vishnu, so charity and japa on this day are considered especially fruitful. Since it falls in the hot season, offering cool water or buttermilk to the thirsty is a simple and meaningful act of seva.

May Sri Hari remove all delusion and fill every home with peace.