Papamochani Ekadashi: Parana Time, Vrat Katha, Rituals, Significance

The Papamochani Ekadashi falls on the ‘Ekadashi’ (11th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of moon) in the month of ‘Chaitra’ as per the North Indian calendar. However in the South Indian calendar this ekadashi is observed in the Hindu month of ‘Phalgun’. In the English calendar this corresponds to the months of March to April. Papamochani Ekadashi is the last ekadashi observance of the 24 ekadashis in the Hindu calendar. It falls between the celebrations of Holika Dahan and Chaitra Navratri. When Papamochani Ekadashi falls on a Thursday, it holds special significance and is known as ‘Guruvar Ekadashi’. The word ‘Papa’ in Hindu means ‘misdeeds’ or ‘sins’ and ‘Mochan’ signifies ‘to release’ and hence this ekadashi gives freedom from all the committed sins. Besides this Ekadashi observance also motivates a person to abstain from committing sins. Devotees therefore believe it highly auspicious to observe a fast on Papamochani Ekadashi.

Papamochani Ekadashi 2025 is on March 25 Tuesday

Important Timings On Papamochani Ekadashi 2025

Vrat Katha

Papamochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha English

Papamochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha Hindi

The Papamochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha, described in the Padma Purana, is as follows:

Yudhishthira inquired, "O Lord! I have heard about the significance of the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha of Phalgun. Now, please grace me with the name of the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra."

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "O King of kings! Listen, I shall narrate a story related to this Ekadashi that destroys sins, which Maharishi Lomash narrated when Emperor Mandhata inquired about it."

Mandhata said, "O Lord! Out of a desire for the welfare of the people, I wish to hear which Ekadashi falls in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Chaitra. What are its observances, and what benefits does one attain from it? Kindly elucidate these details."

Lomash narrated, "O best of kings! This incident is from ancient times. In the forest named Chaitrarath, adorned by Apsaras, where the daughters of Gandharvas joyfully roamed with their attendants, the celestial nymph Manjughosha, known for her enchanting voice, went to captivate the sage Medhavi. He resided in that very forest, practising celibacy.

Fearing the sage, Manjughosha stayed a mile away from his hermitage and began to play the veena beautifully while singing sweet melodies. The esteemed sage, wandering elsewhere, heard her singing and followed it. After reaching her, enchanted by her beauty, he succumbed to desire, forsaking his asceticism. Seeing the sage in such a state, Manjughosha approached him and began to caress him, setting aside her veena. Medhavi also engaged in dalliance with her.

Lost in desire, they lost track of night and day. Thus, abandoning the righteous path of the sages, he indulged in pleasure with the celestial nymph for many days. Manjughosha prepared to depart for the celestial realm. Before leaving, she said to the sage Medhavi, 'O Brahman! Now grant me permission to return to my abode.'"

Medhavi said, "O Goddess! Stay with me a little more until the dawn breaks."

The celestial nymph replied, "O best of Brahmins! Who knows how many evenings have passed! Please consider the time that has elapsed with me."

"Lomashji narrates," O King! Hearing the words of the celestial nymph, Medhavi's eyes widened in astonishment. At that moment, he calculated the time that had passed and realized that fifty-seven years had gone by while he was with her. Upon realizing that his penance had been destroyed by staying with her, the sage became extremely angry. He cursed her, saying, 'O sinful one! You shall become a demon.' Burnt by the sage's curse, she humbly bowed and said, 'O best of Brahmins! Please redeem me from my sin. Friendship with virtuous people is established merely by speaking seven words or walking together for seven steps. O Brahmin! I have spent many years with you; therefore, Lord! Please be merciful to me.'"

The sage said, "Dear one, listen to me. This curse can be remedied. What could I do? You have destroyed my extensive penance. The auspicious Ekadashi that comes in the dark fortnight of Chaitra is called 'Papamochani.' It is the one that eradicates all sins. Beauty! By observing the fast of that very Ekadashi, your demonic condition will be dispelled."

Saying this, Medhavi went to the hermitage of his father, the sage Chyavana. Seeing him, Chyavana asked, "Son! What have you done? You have destroyed your gained merits!"

Medhavi replied, "Father! I have committed the sin of indulging in pleasure with a celestial nymph. Please tell me a penance by which this sin can be expiated."

Chyavana said, "Son! By observing the fast of the Ekadashi that falls in the dark fortnight of Chaitra, the accumulation of sins will be destroyed."

Upon hearing his father's statement, Medhavi observed that fast. This expiated his sin, and he became once again fulfilled with penance. Similarly, Manjugosha also observed this excellent fast. Due to observing Papamochani's fast, she was freed from the demoniac existence and transformed into a divine, celestial nymph, ascending to the heavenly realms.

O King! Those virtuous individuals who observe the fast of Papamochani Ekadashi have all their sins destroyed. Reading or hearing about it yields the merit of donating a thousand cows. Even the gravest sins, such as Brahminicide, theft of gold, alcohol consumption, and adultery with the guru's wife, are absolved by observing this fast. This fast is highly meritorious.

Rituals during Papamochani Ekadashi:

• Devotees wake up at sunrise on ekadashi and take a holy bath with Kush and sesame seeds. Most of the Vishnu followers keep a fast on this day to be blessed with their deity’s eternal mercy.
• Fasting on Papamochani Ekadashi is considered to be very auspicious. It is best to observe fast without eating anything or just drinking water. However as this is not possible for everyone, fasting can also be observed by eating non-grain foods, milk, nuts and fruits. The fast is broken the next day after offering prayers to Lord Vishnu.
• Even those who are not fasting, eating pulses, rice and non-vegetarian food is strictly forbidden on Ekadashi. One must read ‘Sri Vishnu Sahasranama’ on Papamochani Ekadashi.
• On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped by devotees with full dedication. The devotees offer Tulsi leaves (plucked a day before), flowers, fruits, lamp and incense sticks to Lord Vishnu. Besides offering mogra or jasmine flowers is also believed to be highly meritorious. If possible, the observer of this vrat must also visit temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening. Special programs are organised in the temples like reciting important chapters of the sacred Bhagavad Gita.

Significance of Papamochani Ekadashi:

The importance of Papamochani Ekadashi is illustrated in the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’ and ‘Harivasara’. It was first narrated to King Mandhata by Sage Lomasa and then by Lord Krishna to King Yudhisthira, the eldest of Pandavas. It is believed that Papamochani Ekadashi destroys all the sins and also frees the observer from the guilt. By observing this ekadashi with full devotion, the person will never be influenced by demons or ghosts. Observing Papamochani Ekadashi is more meritorious than visiting Hindu pilgrimage places or even donating one thousand cows. The observer of this propitious vrat enjoys all the worldly pleasures and ultimately finds a place in the heavenly kingdom of Lord Vishnu, the ‘Vaikunth’. The main purpose of keeping the Papamochani vrat is to control one’s body demands and spend ample time chanting, listening and reciting Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Papamochani Ekadashi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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