Mokshada Ekadashi
This ‘Ekadashi’ is celebrated on the same day as ‘Gita Jayanti’ and falls on the 11th lunar day or Ekadashi of the ‘Margashirsha’ Hindu month (Nov-Dec according to the Gregorian Calendar). This festival is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed as a fast by his followers seeking ‘Moksha’ for their dead ancestors who are getting tormented in the hell due to their past deeds. Lord Vishnu followers or ‘Vaishnavs’ observe strict 24 hours fast on this sacred day. It is also known as the ‘Vaikuntha Ekadashi’ as it is believed that the doors of God’s abode ‘Vaikunth’ are open on this day.
What is the origin behind celebrating ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’?
According to the legendary story, Once upon a time there lived a king called, ‘Vaikhanasa’ ruler of the kingdom of Champaknagar, who was famous among his subjects for his good ruling. He was loved by all and everything was going smoothly in his kingdom. One night while he was sleeping, he witnessed a bad dream where he saw that his father, getting tortured by God of Death, ‘Yam’ in hell. When he woke up the next day, he became quite upset seeing his father’s bad condition and went to various sages to find out why it was happening. A great sage called, ‘Parvata Muni’, told him that his father was getting punished due to his past sins he committed of tormenting the king’s mother by fighting with her while he was alive.
The King asked the sage for a solution as he could not bear to see his beloved late father like that. That is when, the sage told him to observe the fast of ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’ which is observed by devotees who want to send their dead ones on the path of ‘Moksha’. The king along with his whole family and subjects observed this fast with all rituals to please Lord Vishnu who in return blessed the soul of the King’s father. Due to the good deeds of the son, the father’s evil deeds got rectified, sending him on the path of salvation.
What are the rituals one has to follow on the eve of ‘Mokshada Ekadashi’?
- The observer has to get up early morning and take a shower.
- The devotee generally takes a shower and sit in the praying area thereafter to read the ‘Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Katha’ remebring his ancestors.
- Devotee offers flowers, sweets, ‘diyas’ and ‘nevadh’ to the deity.
- They perform the ‘aarti’ ritual in the evening during sunset and distribute sweets among family members and the needy.
- Since this day also marks the birth of ‘Bhagvada Gita’, many people involve themselves in reciting of the verses from the holy book to please the deity.
- Lord Vishnu temples are decorated by the devotees. A special door is made at the entrance of the temples symbolizing the door to God’s abode, ‘Vaikunth’. People have to enter via this auspicious door.
- One must visit the nearby Vishnu temple and offer his/her prayers to the deity on this day. And seek his blessings for a happy life.