When is Papmochani Ekadashi?
| Date | Note |
|---|---|
| Friday, 2 April 2027 | — |
| Tuesday, 21 March 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 Papmochani Ekadashi
Papmochani Ekadashi in the dark half of Chaitra (Phalguna in the amanta calendar), the last Ekadashi of the year before the new year begins, is 'the releaser from sin'.
Devotees fast, worship Vishnu and reflect on the faults of the passing year before the new year begins on Chaitra Pratipada.
The story of Papmochani Ekadashi
The sage Medhavi, son of Chyavana, was performing penance in the Chaitraratha forest when the apsara Manjughosha, sent to distract him, won his heart, and he lived with her for many years. When he realised how much time had passed and how far he had strayed, he cursed her in anger to become a pishachini.
On the advice of his father, both Medhavi and Manjughosha kept the Papmochani Ekadashi; her curse was lifted and his own lapse forgiven.
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 Papmochani 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 Papmochani 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 Papmochani 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 Papmochani Ekadashi 2027?
Papmochani Ekadashi falls on Friday, 2 April 2027 (New Delhi, tithi at sunrise). Check your local Panchang for the fast and the parana (breaking) time.
When is Papmochani Ekadashi?
In the dark half of Chaitra in the North Indian calendar — the Ekadashi just before the Hindu New Year (Phalguna Krishna in the amanta calendar).
What is eaten on the Papmochani 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.