When is Mohini Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 16 May 2027 | — |
| Friday, 5 May 2028 | — |
Dates for New Delhi (tithi at sunrise). Smarta and Vaishnava calendars may differ by a day; check your local Panchang for the fast and parana times. All Ekadashi dates →
About Mohini Ekadashi
Mohini Ekadashi in the bright half of Vaishakha is linked with Vishnu's Mohini form, in which he distributed the amrita from the churning of the ocean to the gods. It is said to free one from the net of delusion (moha).
Many temples dress Vishnu in his Mohini form on this day; devotees fast and read the story of the churning of the ocean.
The story of Mohini Ekadashi
The Purana tells that the sage Vasishtha taught this vrat to Shri Rama. In the city of Bhadravati lived a virtuous merchant, Dhanapala, whose youngest son Dhrishtabuddhi wasted his wealth on gambling, drink and bad company and was driven out of home.
Wandering hungry and wretched, Dhrishtabuddhi came to the ashram of the sage Kaundinya on the Ganga and begged for a way to be free of his sins. The sage told him to keep Mohini Ekadashi in Vaishakha. He fasted faithfully, his sins were washed away, and he reached Vishnu's abode.
As told in the Ekadashi Mahatmya of the Padma and Bhavishyottara Purana tradition, where Krishna narrates each Ekadashi's glory to Yudhishthira. Versions differ in detail between editions.
How to keep the Mohini Ekadashi vrat
- Dashami, the day before. Eat a light sattvic meal before sunset and avoid grains that night.
- Morning. Bathe early, take a sankalp for the vrat, and worship Vishnu or Krishna with tulsi leaves, flowers, a diya and incense.
- Through the day. Keep the fast as your tradition and health allow — nirjala, phalahar (fruit and milk) or one light meal without grains. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya", hear the story of Mohini Ekadashi, and avoid anger and idle talk.
- Night. Many keep jagaran — staying awake with bhajans and kirtan.
- Dwadashi. Break the fast (parana) after sunrise within the Dwadashi tithi, after offering food to Vishnu and to someone in need.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with medical conditions should keep a lighter fast.
Mantra for Mohini Ekadashi
Dvadashakshari mantra of Vishnu
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva, who dwells in all beings. Chant it 108 times on a tulsi mala through the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mohini Ekadashi 2027?
Mohini Ekadashi falls on Sunday, 16 May 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
What is the connection with Vishnu's Mohini avatar?
Popular tradition links this Ekadashi with the day Vishnu took the enchanting Mohini form to give the amrita to the gods.
What is eaten on the Mohini Ekadashi fast?
Grains and beans — rice, wheat and dal — are avoided. Fruit, milk, nuts, potatoes, sabudana, singhara and kuttu flour and rock salt are commonly eaten. Some keep a nirjala fast; follow your family tradition and your health.
When is the Ekadashi fast broken?
On Dwadashi, the next day, after sunrise and within the Dwadashi tithi — not during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi. This is called parana; check the time in your local Panchang.