"Papamochani Ekadashi"- Cleansing Through Devotion and Divine Redemption

'Papamochani Ekadashi' comes on the Ekadashi (11th day) of Chaitra month during Krishna Paksha. It is the last Ekadashi out of all the 24 Ekadashis lying in a year. It comes between the festivities of Holika Dahan & Chaitra Navratri. This year, it is on '5th April ’24.'

As per “Drik Panchang”, the “tithi” for “Papamochani Ekadashi” in the year ‘24 is as follows:

Papmochani Ekadashi on Friday, April 5 ‘24

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 04:14 PM on Apr 04 ‘24
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 01:28 PM on Apr 05 ‘24

'Paap' means 'sin or bad deeds' and 'Mochani' stands for 'removal.' Hence Papamochani Ekadashi is believed to absolve the devotees from all the past and present sins. On this holy day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped by offering sacred food (Prasad) mainly uncooked rice, incense sticks, Tulsi leaves and yellow flowers. A strict fast is also observed by many. 'Parana' (completion of fast) is recommended to be done on Dwadashi, either during Pratahkal or after Madhyahna.

As per “Drik Panchang”,

• On 6th Apr, Parana Time - 06:25 AM to 08:53 AM
• On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment - 10:19 AM

The importance of 'Papamochani Ekadashi' is mentioned in Bhavishyottara Purana in the form of a legend:

'Once, there was a pennant sage Medhavi who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva & used to perform a strict meditation in Chitraratha forest. One day, Lord Indra was wandering in that forest with his apsaras. On seeing Medhavi devoted to meditation, he thought that if this sage would keep on performing such devoted penance, he would receive a very high place in heaven, maybe higher than Lord Indra himself. Hence he decided to distract him. To do so, he sent so many apsaras to distract him but due to his extreme power of penance, he didn't notice anything and kept on performing his meditation. In a while, Lord Indra sent the prettiest among all his angels, Manjughosha, towards Rishi Medhavi. She started singing so beautifully that the pennant sage lost his attention towards meditation. He got attracted towards her. They fell in love and started living together for 57 years. After a longtime stay together, Manjughosha asked Rishi to set her free. Then he realised that he has been misguided, cheated and distracted from the real value of his life. Ultimately he cursed that angel to transform into a dreadful witch. Worried Medhavi reached his father's ashram. He told him to keep Papamochani Ekadashi fast. Then both Medhavi & Manjughosha kept the fast & got relieved from their sins.'

Similarly, devoting truly towards the Almighty on Papamochani Ekadashi can absolve all kinds of sins and bad deeds of anyone. Apart from this, Lord Vishnu also blesses one with the clearance of mental problems, fulfillment of desires, clarity of thought, good health and wealth, and a peaceful and happy life ahead.