Mohini Ekadashi vrat katha, timings, significance, do's and don'ts every Lord Vishnu devotee must know

Mohini Ekadashi is being observed today, April 27, 2026, a day which holds a great religious and spiritual significance among Hindus. Mohini Ekadashi honors Lord Vishnu's Mohini Avatar and on this day, devotees keep a fast, engage in spiritual practices and avoid non-vegetarian food.

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Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Katha

According to the dialogue between Yudhishthira and Lord Krishna, the glory of Mohini Ekadashi is described as one of the most powerful and sin-destroying observances. Lord Krishna recounted that Lord Rama had once asked the sage Vasishtha the same question, to which Vasishtha replied that the Ekadashi falling in the bright fortnight of Vaishakha is called Mohini Ekadashi.


It is believed to free devotees from illusion (maya) and cleanse even the gravest sins. To illustrate its power, the story of Bhadravati city on the banks of the Saraswati River is told, where a virtuous merchant named Dhanpal, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, lived a life of charity and righteousness.

However, his son Dhrishtabuddhi strayed into a life of sin and was eventually cast out by his family. Wandering aimlessly, he reached the ashram of sage Kaundinya during Vaishakh and sought redemption. The sage advised him to observe the fast of Mohini Ekadashi, explaining that it can destroy sins accumulated over many lifetimes.

Following this vrat with sincerity, Dhrishtabuddhi was purified of all sins, attained a divine form, and ascended to Lord Vishnu’s abode on Garuda, freed from all suffering. Thus, Mohini Ekadashi is considered extremely auspicious, and observing or even listening to its significance is believed to grant immense spiritual merit, equal to donating a thousand cows.

Mohini Ekadashi 2026 Date and Time

Event	Date & Time
Ekadashi Tithi Begins	April 26, 2026 – 06:06 PM
Ekadashi Tithi Ends	April 27, 2026 – 06:15 PM
Parana Time (Breaking Fast)	April 28, 2026 – 05:43 AM to 08:21 AM
Dwadashi End Moment	April 28, 2026 – 06:51 PM

Mohini Ekadashi Do's and Don'ts

On Mohini Ekadashi , you need to wake up early in the morning and clean your house, especially puja room.

Then take a bath with normal water after cleaning and maintain celibacy while observing fast.

You should avoid eating tamasik food such as onion, garlic, non vegetarian food. Touching or preparing tamasik food is also prohibited.

Devotees keeping fast on Mohini Ekadashi must visit the Lakshmi Narayan temple on this day to seek blessings of the Lord Vishnu.

Worshipping Lord Vishnu today is considered extremely sacred. You should place the idol on a wooden plank and light a diya with desi ghee, chant mantras and recite Vishnu Sahasranama.

There are two types of fast you can observe: 1. Nirjala Vrat (without consuming water) 2. Phalahar Vrat (fruits, milk dry fruits and water)

You should not speak ill about others, avoid being aggressive on little things and avoid negative behaviour.

You should get engaged in various spiritual and religious activities on this sacred day to seek blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Devotees should break their fast only during the parana time after worshipping Lord Vishnu. The fast can be broken on Dwadashi tithi.

One must donate fruits, clothes and water to the brahmins after parana.

Alcohol and gambling are prohibited on this day as they contradict the principles of purity and self-control.

Significance

Mohini Ekadashi is observed on the Ekadashi tithi (11th day) of the Shukla Paksha in the holy month of Vaishakha. Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a strict fast beginning on Ekadashi and conclude it on Dwadashi.

Considered a highly peaceful and spiritually uplifting observance, Mohini Ekadashi is believed to bring mental clarity, inner peace, and enlightenment. Ekadashi is also observed to cleanse oneself of past sins—whether committed knowingly or unknowingly.

It helps devotees move closer to liberation from the cycle of birth and death, guiding the soul toward Moksha. By observing this sacred fast, devotees are said to attain a place in Vaikuntha Dham, making it a powerful vrat that one should observe at least once in a lifetime for ultimate spiritual fulfillment.