Quick Reference Card
| Date | December 20, 2026 |
| Duration | Single day (fasting from sunrise to sunrise) |
| Observance | Hindu religious vrat (fasting), Spiritual practice |
| Celebrated in | Vishnu temples and Hindu communities worldwide |
| Observing Communities | Hindu devotees, Vaishnavas and spiritual practitioners globally |
| Type of Event | Religious fasting day (vrat) |
| Purpose of Event | To seek spiritual liberation (moksha), worship Lord Vishnu, perform ancestor liberation rituals and achieve spiritual transformation through fasting, prayer and contemplation. |
| Holiday Status | No (Culturally observed, not an official public holiday) |
| First Observed in | Ancient Hindu calendar tradition |
Quick Fact: Mokshada Ekadashi, also known as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, is the most auspicious of all 24 Ekadashi observances in the Hindu calendar. It falls on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight in Margashirsha and coincides with Gita Jayanti. According to scripture, observing this sacred vrat is equivalent in spiritual merit to fasting on all remaining 23 Ekadashis of the year combined.
Mokshada Ekadashi, also known as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, is observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight in Margashirsha. Considered the most auspicious of all Ekadashi observances in the Hindu calendar, this sacred day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu and the pursuit of spiritual liberation (moksha). Devotees observe strict fasting, recite sacred scriptures, and perform rituals aimed at purifying the soul and liberating ancestors from suffering.
History and Background
Mokshada Ekadashi, also known as Vaikuntha Ekadashi, is celebrated on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight in Margashirsha, making it the most auspicious of all 24 Ekadashi observances in the Hindu calendar. According to the Padma Purana legend, there was a demon named Murāsura causing suffering to the devas (gods). When Brahma granted him a boon, Lord Vishnu defeated him and blessed the goddess Ekadashi, declaring her capable of vanquishing all earthly sins. The Brahmanda Purana and Padma Purana also narrate how King Vaikhanasa liberated his suffering ancestors from Naraka (Hell) through observing this sacred vrat, establishing its supreme importance for ancestor welfare.
Purpose of Mokshada Ekadashi
This observance is mainly undertaken to:
Seek liberation from sins and achieve moksha (spiritual liberation and enlightenment).
Honor and worship Lord Vishnu and invoke divine grace and protection.
Perform ancestor liberation rituals (Pitru Tarpan) and spiritual purification practices.
Achieve spiritual transformation through fasting, prayer, and deep contemplation.
How is Mokshada Ekadashi Observed?
Mokshada Ekadashi is observed through various spiritual practices and rituals:
Complete or partial fasting from sunrise until dawn the next day, abstaining from grains and beans.
Vegetarian diet restriction permitting only fruits, vegetables, milk products, and nuts during the vrat.
Worship and prayer rituals honoring Lord Vishnu and seeking divine blessings for liberation.
Recitation of Vishnu mantras, the Bhagavad Gita, and sacred scriptures throughout the observance period.
Charitable giving and ancestral rituals (Pitru Tarpan) for family welfare and ancestor liberation.
Importance of Mokshada Ekadashi
Mokshada Ekadashi is important for several reasons:
It represents the most auspicious observance for seeking spiritual liberation and achievement of moksha.
It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and divine protection over human weakness and sin.
It provides spiritual cleansing equivalent in merit to fasting on all remaining 23 Ekadashis of the year.
It offers the opportunity for ancestor liberation and family spiritual welfare and progress.
It demonstrates the belief in spiritual transformation through disciplined practice and sincere devotion.
Conclusion
Mokshada Ekadashi stands as one of the most spiritually significant observances in the Hindu calendar, offering devotees a supreme opportunity to seek liberation, purify their souls, and honor their ancestors. Coinciding with Gita Jayanti, this day carries the dual blessing of the Bhagavad Gita's eternal wisdom and Lord Vishnu's divine grace. For devotees across Nepal and the world, Mokshada Ekadashi is a powerful gateway to spiritual transformation and liberation.