Google trend - Mokshada Ekadashi 2023

Mokshada Ekadashi is a significant Hindu festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. It falls on the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon in the Hindu month of Margashirsha, which usually corresponds to November or December in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2023, Mokshada Ekadashi is expected to be observed on the 11th of December.

The word "Mokshada" is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Moksha" meaning liberation and "da" meaning giver. Hence, Mokshada Ekadashi is considered as a day that grants liberation or freedom from the cycle of birth and death. It is believed that observing this Ekadashi with sincerity and devotion can lead to spiritual growth and ultimate salvation.

The significance of Mokshada Ekadashi can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Padma Purana. According to the legend, King Vaishakh of Champak Nagar had a son named Vasudatta who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. One day, while Vasudatta was performing a ritual, a Gandharva named Pundarika appeared before him. Pundarika revealed that he was cursed by a sage and could only be freed from his curse by observing Mokshada Ekadashi with utmost devotion. Inspired by this story, people started observing Mokshada Ekadashi to seek liberation from all their sins and attain salvation.

On the day of Mokshada Ekadashi, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, which is believed to purify the body and soul. They then visit temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and offer prayers and devotional songs. Many devotees observe a strict fast on this day, abstaining from food and water until the next morning. Fasting is considered as a way to purify the mind and body, and to focus on spiritual growth.

Devotees also engage in various acts of charity and perform good deeds on Mokshada Ekadashi. Donating food, clothes, and money to the needy is believed to bring blessings and good fortune. Some devotees also organize religious discourses and satsangs to spread the teachings of Lord Vishnu and inspire others to lead a righteous life.

The day of Mokshada Ekadashi is also marked by the recitation of sacred texts like the Vishnu Sahasranama, a compilation of a thousand names of Lord Vishnu. Chanting these names is believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Vishnu and bring spiritual enlightenment.

In the evening, devotees participate in the grand procession known as the Mokshada Ekadashi Rath Yatra. A beautifully decorated chariot carrying the idols of Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi, is taken out on the streets. Devotees sing hymns and offer prayers as the chariot moves through the city, spreading joy and devotion.

Overall, Mokshada Ekadashi is a festival that emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth, devotion, and charity. It is a day to seek liberation from the cycle of birth and death and to attain salvation. By observing this Ekadashi with sincerity and devotion, devotees hope to attain Moksha or ultimate liberation.