Papmochani Ekadashi

Story of Papmochani Ekadashi (Vrat Katha)

Sage Medhavi was doing tapasya in the beautiful forest of Chaitraratha when the apsara Manjughosha, sent by Indra, tried to distract him. Her charm worked, and the sage spent fifty-seven years with her before he realised how much time he had lost. In anger he cursed her to become a pishachi. She begged for mercy, and he told her to keep Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, which Sage Chyavana had shown. Both observed the Papmochani Ekadashi, and both were freed from their sins.

This is the traditional story from the Puranas, retold in our own words. Details can differ a little between regions and tellers.

Significance of Papmochani Ekadashi

Papmochani is the last Ekadashi of the Hindu year in the Amanta system, just before Chaitra Navratri and the new year.

The tradition says that keeping Papmochani Ekadashi gives liberation from sin and mistakes done knowingly or unknowingly. It falls in Chaitra Krishna Paksha (Purnimanta) · Phalguna Krishna Paksha (Amanta) and is kept with the worship of Lord Vishnu.

How to keep Papmochani Ekadashi: vrat and puja vidhi

• Dashami evening: eat a light sattvik meal and avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food.
• Ekadashi morning: bathe before sunrise and take the sankalp to worship Lord Vishnu.
• Puja: offer yellow flowers, tulsi leaves, fruit, panchamrit and a ghee lamp. Chant "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and read the katha on this page.
• During the day: no grains; phalahar or a waterless fast as your tradition says. Avoid anger and gossip.
• Night: stay awake with bhajans, kirtan or the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Dwadashi: after bath and puja, give charity to someone in need and break the fast at parana time.

For the full rules, food list and parana details, read our complete Ekadashi vrat guide.