Mokshada Ekadashi is a significant and holy day that is revered for its spiritual significance. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu‘s avatar of Krishna, who is regarded as the preserver and protector of the Holy Trinity.
In Sanskrit, the word ‘Mokshada’ translates to ‘bestower of liberation’; therefore, this day is commemorated by devotees of Vishnu to attain liberation or moksha.

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Story of Mokshada Ekadashi
A day of worship and devotion, the legend of Mokshada Ekadashi was narrated to the Pandava King Yudhisthir by Krishna in the Brahmanda and Padma Purana.
The tale follows the story of a saintly King, Vaikhanasa, who ruled the city of Champaka. One night in the king’s dream, he saw his forefathers praying to him for liberation after being tortured by Yamaraj in Naraka, alternatively, hell.
Deeply anguished and disturbed by the events, he appealed to the twice-born Brahmins in his court for advice on relieving his ancestors from their torment and granting them salvation.
On the council’s advice, the king approached the sage of the mountains, Parvata Muni, who is renowned as the ‘tri-kala-jnan’ or ‘he who knows the past, present, and future of all.’
After a prolonged meditation, the sage concluded that the cause of the hellish torture of the king’s forefathers was their past sin, i.e., his father had failed to fulfill his duties as a husband.
He had quarreled and thereafter taken advantage of his wife while she was on her menstrual period. To rectify his father’s sin, Parvata Muni advised King Vaikhanasa to observe a strict vrata or vow on the day of Mokshada Ekadashi.
Adhering to the saint’s solution, the king observed the 24-hour fast along with his wife, children, and relatives. His vrata, which was full of faith and devotion, pleased the gods of Svarga, who not only showered petals down from heaven but also escorted his forefathers to Heaven from Naraka.
The king’s father blessed him with good fortunes, peace, and a life of salvation before ascending into Godhead.
This day is often compared to the ‘Chintamani,’ a gem believed to yield all desires. Spiritual leaders and priests say that religious merit to obtain salvation can only be achieved by performing the vrata on Mokshada Ekadashi.
In the words of Bhagwan Krishna, one who strictly observes this auspicious Mokshada Ekadashi would return to Godhead with no return to this material world.
Dates & Ritualistic Practices
Mokshada Ekadashi is observed on the 11th lunar day, known as Ekadashi on the waxing moon’s fortnight in the Hindu month of Agrahayana or Margashirsha. These dates usually correspond between 22nd November and 21st December in an annual year.
It is on this day that Gita Jayanti is commemorated in memory of Krishna narrating the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna as described in the Mahabharata. It is thus a day to celebrate Hinduism and its philosophical ideas and traditions by dedicating oneself to attaining salvation and liberation.
Mokshada Ekadashi Date 2025
Mokshada Ekadashi is on 1st December 2025, Monday
Parana Time: 06:57 AM to 09:03 AM (2nd Dec)
Ekadashi Tithi Begins – 09:29 PM on 30th November 2025
Ekadashi Tithi Ends – 07:01 PM on 01st December 2025
Hindus, particularly Vaishnavas, celebrate this day by observing a fast in honor of Shri Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, for 24 hours. It is believed that devotees who properly observe the fast throughout their lives will attain moksha or salvation after their death.
The complete fast begins from sunrise on the day of Mokshada Ekadashi to the dawn of the next day. However, those who are unable to fast are expected to observe a partial one.
In Brahmanda Purana, Bhagwan Vishnu advised King Yudhistir to worship Lord Damodara with incense, fragrant flowers, a ghee lamp, and Tulsi manjaris (buds).
In present-day rituals encompass worshipping God Vishnu and his avatar Krishna with a version of the Gita wrapped in red presented to the lord.
Sprinkling Gangajal and applying a tilak of yellow sandalwood is considered holy. Aarti rituals should be observed while praying to the gods. Offerings of sweets, fruits, and Panchamrit are made while chanting mantras and hymns from Lord Krishna. One should worship only by reciting the Vrat Katha on this Ekadashi Tithi.
Yellow is considered holy today, and devotees are encouraged to donate yellow items and clothes to Brahmins. It is believed that one should also offer water to the Peepal tree, which is the abode of God Vishnu, to free oneself from debt.
One should not only refrain from getting angry but also keep one’s mind pure and peaceful. Accepting foods or cereals from another person or plucking Tulsi leaves is forbidden lest it reduce a person’s virtues.
To break the fast, only vegetarian foods like fruits, vegetables, milk products, and nuts must be consumed. Items like rice, pulses, garlic, onions, brinjal, radish, and beans are forbidden from consumption. Following the Purana, one can only break their fast after feeding Brahmins.
Conclusion
Mokshada Ekadashi is a holy day celebrated to commemorate Krishna’s narration of the holy sermons of Gita and to worship Bhagwan Vishnu. Devotees belonging to the Vaishnavism sect observe a complete fast and offer prayers to the lord. It is believed that on this day, one is not just relieved of their sins, but all their desires are fulfilled, leading to a path of complete salvation.