Mohini Ekadashi 2026

Quick facts

• Also known asVaishakha Shukla Ekadashi
• WhereAll of India; in the Tamil calendar it falls in Vaikasi, in the Malayalam one in Edavam
• Puja forVishnu, as Mohini
• In one lineA day for Vishnu's Mohini form, and a vow that frees you from the pull of illusion.

Mohini Ekadashi, in a little more detail

1. 01

   About the festival

   The churning of the ocean brought up the nectar, and the asuras meant to keep it for themselves. So Vishnu took the form of Mohini, an enchanting woman, charmed the asuras into handing her the pot, and served the nectar to the gods.

   The name is Mohini, the enchantress, and the vow means the opposite: freedom from enchantment. The telling says this Ekadashi loosens the ties of illusion that bind you to the world.

   The lesson of the day: the things that charm you are the things that trap you. Try a day away from them.

2. 02

   The story of Dhrishtabuddhi

   The sage Vasishtha told this story to Rama, who was grieving for Sita. In the city of Bhadravati on the Sarasvati lived Dhanapala, a rich and pious merchant. He dug lakes and laid out gardens for the people. He had five sons, and the youngest, Dhrishtabuddhi, had gone completely to waste.

   Gambling, drink, his father's money thrown away. In the end Dhanapala threw him out of the house. The money ran out, his friends left him, and he took to stealing. He was caught, whipped, and at last he fled into the forest.

   Wandering in the month of Vaishakha, he reached the ashram of the sage Kaundinya. The sage had just bathed in the Ganga, and a few drops from his clothes fell on him. Dhrishtabuddhi joined his hands and asked for a way out. The sage said: on Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi, Mohini Ekadashi, keep a full fast. He did, and all his sins were washed away.

3. 03

   In Maharashtra and beyond

   At home: the fast, Vitthal puja, tulsi leaves and fruit as naivedya. In the evening, the Vishnu Sahasranama or bhajans.

   Feeding people is honoured today: grain, a meal, or clothes for those who need them.

   In the south this Ekadashi falls in the Tamil month of Vaikasi and the Malayalam month of Edavam. The month has another name, but the vow and the story are the same.

How to do the puja

In short: A light meal on Dashami, the fast and the Name on Ekadashi, and parana after sunrise on Dwadashi.

1. 1Eat light the day before, on Dashami.One simple meal is enough. Nothing heavy at night, so your stomach is light on Ekadashi.
2. 2Pick the tulsi leaves for the puja the day before.In many homes tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi.
3. 3Bathe in the morning on Ekadashi and make your sankalp for the fast.Decide in your mind: no water at all, water only, fruit and milk, or one fasting meal.
4. 4Worship Vishnu or Vitthal.Offer a lamp, incense, sandalwood paste, flowers and tulsi leaves, with fruit or milk as naivedya.
5. 5Keep the fast you chose through the day.Leave out rice, wheat, jowar, bajra and dals. Offer your fasting food to God first, then eat.
6. 6Spend the day with the name.The Haripath, the Vishnu Sahasranama, bhajans, or the story of that Ekadashi on this page.
7. 7In the evening, light the lamp again and do the aarti.Many stay up singing bhajans (jagran). If you work tomorrow, a little while is enough.
8. 8Break the fast after sunrise on Dwadashi.If your panchang gives a parana time, keep to it. Offer naivedya first, then eat.

What you needTick as you go

• An image of Vishnu or Vitthal
• Tulsi leaves (picked the day before)
• Flowers
• Sandalwood paste
• A diya and ghee
• Incense
• Fruit or milk for naivedya
• The Haripath or the Vishnu Sahasranama
• For the fasting meal: sabudana, vari, peanuts, sweet potatoes, potatoes

Frequently asked questions