April Ekadashi 2026: Date, Time & Why Devotees Shouldn’t Miss It

When and how to keep Mohini Ekadashi 2026 vrat? Learn timings, puja vidhi, Parana rules, and significance for spiritual growth from Sanatangyan.

In 2026, Mohini Ekadashi is one of Lord Vishnu's holiness days of fasting, observed in the month of Vaishakha. This holy day of the Ekadashi will help individuals to both cleanse themselves from previous karmas, provide peace within oneself, and lead one's soul onto liberation. Mohini Ekadashi is a day of much meaning to the devotees through the use of fasting, parana and spiritual development through the Sapta-Sampatti Sanatangyan.

When Is Mohini Ekadashi 2026?

Mohini Ekadashi will be observed on April 27, 2026.

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: April 26, 2026 – 06:06 PM

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: April 27, 2026 – 06:15 PM

• Parana Time: April 28, 2026 – 05:43 AM to 08:21 AM

• Dwadashi End Moment: April 28, 2026 – 06:51 PM

It is important for the devotees to adhere to the set times for observing the fast and performing the parana ritual so that they will receive the maximum spiritual benefit.

Spiritual Significance of Mohini Ekadashi

The name Mohini is the name of Lord Vishnu's vessel/divine enchantress. This name is taken from the time when Lord Vishnu took on the form of Mohini to distribute अमृत (nectar) during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) in order to protect dharma.

This Ekadashi symbolizes:

• Victory of truth over illusion

• Triumph of dharma over adharma

• Liberation from negative karmas

A powerful verse from scriptures reflects the importance of devotion:

“हरिर्हि नाम सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्।”

The name of Lord Hari (Vishnu) destroys all sins.

Fasting on Mohini Ekadashi is believed to be more rewarding than performing grand yajnas or donating gold. According to Sanatangyan tradition, sincere devotion on this day brings purity of mind/spirit and increases spiritual consciousness.

Mohini Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi (Rituals to Follow)

Discipline and purity are required to complete the Mohini Ekadashi vrat. The devotee will begin their day by rising early and performing the following rituals:

• Wake up during Brahma Muhurat and take a holy bath

• Offer water (Arghya) to the Sun God

• Worship Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles

• Perform Vishnu Puja along with Goddess Lakshmi

• Chant Vishnu mantras and read Ekadashi Vrat Katha

A revered Bhagavad Gita verse highlights devotion:

“पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति।”

Whoever offers Me a leaf, flower, fruit, or water with devotion, I accept it.

This shows that devotion matters more than material offerings.

Parana Ritual: How to Break the Fast Correctly

Parana, which is breaking of the fast, is as important as the fasting itself. It is important to carefully perform the parana after the sunrise on Dwadashi Tithi.

Key Rules for Parana:

• Avoid breaking the fast during Hari Vasara (first quarter of Dwadashi)

• Prefer Pratahkal (morning time) for parana

• Avoid Madhyahna (afternoon) unless necessary

Step-by-Step Parana Ritual:

• Wake up early and take a holy bath

• Offer water (Arghya) to the Sun God

• Worship Lord Ganesha first

• Perform puja of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi

• Place a Tulsi leaf in the mouth and break the fast

The completion of the vrat in the right way, according to the logic provided by the texts of Sanatangyan, follows the guidelines listed below:

Foods to Eat and Avoid During Parana

Maintaining purity in diet is essential on Ekadashi parana.

Allowed (Sattvic Food):

• Fruits

• Milk and dairy products

• Simple vegetarian meals without spices

Foods to Avoid:

• Onion and garlic

• Brinjal (aubergine)

• Radish

• Leafy vegetables

• Masoor dal (red lentils)

One of the ways to keep the purity of the vrat and to have a spiritually disciplined approach to life is to eat pure food. 

Charity and Good Deeds on Mohini Ekadashi

On the day of the vrat, performing acts of charity or giving to those in need is considered very पुण्यकारी(meritorious).

Recommended acts:

Feeding Brahmins

Offering food to the needy

Donating clothes or essentials

A meaningful Sanskrit teaching reflects this spirit:

“परोपकाराय पुण्याय पापाय परपीडनम्”

Helping others leads to virtue, while harming others leads to sin.

When someone does an act of kindness on this day, they will receive many blessings and will share peace and prosperity with others.

Thus, 2026 will be a great day, in celebration of Mohini Ekadashi, for all devotee's to cleanse their minds, eliminate their past karmas, and experience growth in their spirituality just by following the vrat with true devotion and observing the correct rituals so they may receive Lord Vishnu's blessings and attain their goal of inner peace and liberation according to the teachings of Sanatangyan.