Mohini Ekadashi: Date, Story and Secrets

Mohini Ekadashi is the day of reverence and worshipping Lord Vishnu to get blessings and wealth in abundance.

Namaste!

Welcome to the oasis of delightful readings at www.onindianpath.com. Mohini Ekadashi is the day of fulfilling your wishes by worshipping Shri hari Vishnu in stated way as discussed inthis blog today.

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Mohini Ekadashi Festival

Are you a Vaishnav and believe in Hinduism? then Mohini Ekadashi 2024 is for you. In Hindu/Sanatan dharm Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day of the waxing (Shukla Paksha) and waning (Krishna Paksha) moon as per Vedic month. There are other scientific and spiritual facts related to Ekadashi that will be covered in upcoming blogs.

Introduction

Are you amazed by the luxurious lifestyle of your neighbour, friend or any relative? Are you still trying to know the secret of their pleasant life? Then let me tell you my friend, there is a secret to it. Let’s unveil the secret today. Ekadashi fasting is the secret of a secured life of Lord Vishnu devotees.

Ekadashi is the favorite day (tithi) of Lord Vishnu on which Vishnu or Krishna devotees observe strict fasting. Every month there are 2 Ekadashis, one falls in Shukla Paksha and other in Krishna Paksha. Today we are going to throw light on the importance and benefits of Mohini Ekadashi 2024.

What is the Date of Mohini Ekadashi 2024?

According to Hindu Panchang, in Shukla Paksha, the 11th lunar day of Vaishaka month is the Mohini Ekadashi. It is the purest month of performing sacred rituals like daan, punya and service to the needy, poor and Brahmins. Further it usually falls in the month of April-May.

In 2024, it will fall on May 19, 2024. Additionally, the tithi will start 11:22 AM on May 18, 2024 and will end at 1:50 PM on May 19, 2024.

However, in 2023, Mohini Ekadashi was on 1st May, 2023. The tithi started from 30th April night at 8:28 pm and ended at 10:09 pm on 1st May.

Story of Ekadashi

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Mohini, a beautiful enchantress, to help the Devas (heavenly beings) recover the Amrit (nectar of immortality) from the Asuras (demons). This happened during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), a cosmic event that took place in ancient times. Mohini was able to deceive the Asuras and helped the Devas obtain the Amrit, thus ensuring their victory.

Highlights of Mohini Ekadashi

As mentioned above, Vaishaka month is considered very pious by Hindus, similarly to the Kartik Maas (will be covered in upcoming blogs). Here are some major highlights of the Mohini Ekadashi that must be strictly followed by devotees.

What to do on Mohini Ekadashi?

Quit rice just before the day of Ekadashi that is on Dashami tithi and also avoid heavy food at night.
Wake up in brahm muhurat (early morning i.e. at dawn) and take bath in holy river (Ganga or Yamuna) if possible. On the other hand, you can also put some drops of Gangajal in the bucket of bathing water and take a bath.
Devotees observe a strict fast, abstaining from food (any grain like wheat, pulses, rice) and water (in some cases) for the entire day.
Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings. Do read holy chants like Vishnu Sahstranam, Bhagwat Geeta or Gajendra Moksha.
Recite sacred Shloka (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya) and sing devotional songs.
Offer banana, yellow flowers, fruits and tilak to Lord Vishnu.
Also offer makhana kheer (Indian fasting dessert) to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi as bhog.
Sleep on the ground and remain awake at night of Ekadashi and do hare ram kirtan. Mohini Ekadashi is extremely beneficial for spiritual and overall growth.
Serve water and food for birds or animals outside the house. Service of cows is the best thing to do on Ekadashi for eternal blessings.

What to avoid on Mohini Ekadashi?

In order to avoid any mistake or to gain the maximum benefit from an important fast, some precautions must be taken. Devotees must avoid and must do certain things on Mohini Ekadashi for the love of Krishna.
Do not eat rice on Ekadashi as it is strictly prohibited. Even don’t use wheat, rice or any grain especially rice in puja.
Avoid eating any kind of grain (anaaj) like wheat, daal, chapati or vegetables (except few). (For more information read this article on Ekadashi).
Avoid having mustard oil in food on Dwadashi. You can use refined or Desi ghee.
Do not eat onion, garlic, radish, or non-veg the next day.

**How to break the fast? (Paaran Vidhi)**

Further, the fast is broken on the twelfth day (Dwadash tithi) after offering prayers and performing rituals. Before eating anything daan is the first thing to be done on Dwadashi. Daan of wheat, rice, salt, sweet, fruits and other eatables is preferred.

Moreover, daan of cold things like cucumber, muskmelon, water filled pot, hand-fan and umbrella is also advisable as per your best of capacity.

You can offer these things to a Brahmin family, poor or any needy staying around you. Inviting a Brahmin for lunch is also extremely favorable.

Parana on Dwadashi of Mohini Ekadashi

There is a shubh muhurat (most suitable time) on the next day just after Ekadashi to break the fast. Last year shubh muhurat of paaran of Mohini Ekadashi 2023 was on 2nd May in the morning between 5:40 am to 8:19 am.

Subsequently, shubh Muhurat of Paarana of Mohini Ekadashi 2024 will be on May 20, 2024 from 5:53 AM to 8 :26 AM.

Conclusion

We conclude by saying that Mohini Ekadashi is the best opportunity to grab the attention of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi for their blessings. If you are interested in knowing more about Ekadashi, its importance, and kinds then keep following our blog on www.onindianpath.com. Now that you know the importance of Mohini Ekadashi 2024, do follow some rules and stay away from rice.

Enjoy the journey, keep reading!

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