“Mohini-Bhumandalam Vishnum, Vyamohitha-Cha-Yam-Daityaaya, Tasmai Sri-Krishnaya, Namo Namaste.” — Salutations to the Lord who, as Mohini, deluded the asuras and saved the devas — the cosmic illusion lifted only by His grace.

Mohini Ekadashi 2026 — date, tithi and the parana window

Mohini Ekadashi 2026 falls on Saturday, 9 May 2026 — Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi. This is the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of the Vaishakha month — and one of the 24 Ekadashis of the year. It is uniquely beautiful because it celebrates not a fierce avatar of Lord Vishnu, but his most enchanting and dharma-restoring form — Mohini, the divine feminine.

Tithi window for 2026

  • Ekadashi tithi begins: Friday 8 May 2026, late evening.

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  • Ekadashi tithi ends: Saturday 9 May 2026, evening.

  • Vrat day: Saturday 9 May 2026 — observe the full fast from sunrise to next-day parana.

  • Parana (breaking the fast): Sunday 10 May 2026, after sunrise (~6:00 AM local time, before Dwadashi tithi ends).

See our Hindu Vrat Guide 2026 for Busy Professionals Abroad for the full 24-Ekadashi calendar.

The story of Vishnu’s Mohini avatar — Samudra Manthan katha

The story of Mohini begins with the great cosmic event known as the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean of milk). When the devas were cursed by the sage Durvasa and lost their strength, Lord Indra and the devas approached Lord Vishnu. The Lord advised them to churn the ocean of milk together with the asuras, using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of serpents, as the rope.

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For thousands of years they churned. Many divine treasures emerged — Lakshmi Devi, Kamadhenu the wish-fulfilling cow, Kalpavriksha the wish-fulfilling tree, the Apsaras, Chandra, Airavata the white elephant, Uchhaishrava the horse, Kaustubha jewel — and finally, Lord Dhanvantari emerged carrying the kalasha of Amrita (the nectar of immortality). Both devas and asuras desired it instantly. The asuras, being stronger, snatched the kalasha first.

It was at this critical juncture that Lord Vishnu, with infinite compassion for dharma, took the form of Mohini — an enchantress so radiant, graceful and bewitchingly beautiful that even the great asura warriors froze in stunned wonder. Mohini approached and offered to mediate. "Allow me," she smiled, "to distribute the amrita fairly between you both."

The asuras, completely captivated by her beauty, agreed. Mohini seated devas in one row, asuras in another. Then with grace, she began serving — but only to the devas. By the time the asura Rahu noticed the deception, disguised himself as a deva and tasted a drop of amrita, the Sun and Moon recognised him. Lord Vishnu, still in Mohini form, severed his head with the Sudarshana Chakra. Rahu became immortal in the form of his head; his body became Ketu. The devas drank the amrita, regained their strength, and dharma was restored.

Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi is the day this happened. From that day forward, observing a fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu in his Mohini form is said to dissolve the devotee’s own mohini — the false attachments and delusions that bind every soul. The whole story is a metaphor: only when the devotee allows the divine Mohini to step in can the amrita of liberation reach the right place.

Why Mohini Ekadashi is uniquely powerful

  • Removal of moha (delusion): the explicit boon of this Ekadashi, granted directly by Lord Vishnu in his Mohini form.

  • Wealth and prosperity: Mohini emerged alongside Lakshmi during the same Manthan; Mohini Ekadashi attracts both Lakshmi and Vishnu.

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  • Protection from enemies: the Lord’s ability to outwit even the strongest asura is invoked for protection in court cases, business rivalries, and difficult workplaces.

  • Beauty and grace: Mohini is the supreme form of divine beauty. The Ekadashi is observed by women for natural radiance and grace.

  • Dharmic clarity: the day Lord Vishnu chose mediation over war — observing it brings clarity in family disputes and strategic decisions.

  • Liberation: Padma Purana states that observing Mohini Ekadashi grants the merit of a thousand horse-sacrifice yagnas and final liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Mohini Ekadashi vrat rules — for NRIs in apartment cities

Strict (full) Ekadashi vrat

  • Wake up before sunrise on 9 May. Take a head bath.

  • No grains: rice, wheat, lentils, beans are all forbidden.

  • No salt: avoid regular salt; sendha namak (rock salt) only.

  • No onion, garlic, meat, eggs, alcohol.

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  • Day-long fast: only water, milk, fruits.

  • Evening: Vishnu Sahasranama paath, Mohini Stotram, Tulsi puja.

  • Night: jagaran (vigil) — recommended but not mandatory; recite Govinda namasankirtan.

  • Parana (10 May): after sunrise, before Dwadashi tithi ends. Eat a small portion of cooked rice + tulsi-water as the symbolic parana.

Partial vrat (for working NRIs)

  • Phalahara only: fruits, milk, paneer, sabudana, sama rice, kuttu allowed.

  • No lunch grain meal: skip the office cafeteria rice/dal lunch.

  • Evening: puja and Vishnu Sahasranama at home; one satvik phalahari meal.

  • Parana: break fast on 10 May morning with normal food.

Working-day adaptation

  • Carry to office: a fruit thali, makhana, dry fruits, dates, banana, paneer cubes, salt-free yogurt.

  • Hydration: water, coconut water, lemon-water (no salt added) — Mohini Ekadashi allows water.

  • Mantra during commute: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — 108 silently.

  • Avoid coffee or carbonated drinks.

Step-by-step Mohini Ekadashi puja vidhi

Morning

  • Sankalpa: "On Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi 2026, I observe Mohini Ekadashi vrat for the dissolution of moha, family welfare, dharmic clarity and liberation."

  • Set up the altar: Lord Vishnu (or Sri Krishna / Sri Venkateswara / Sri Lakshmi-Narayan), tulsi plant or tulsi leaves, fresh white or yellow flowers.

  • Light a single ghee diya. Offer water, sandal paste, fresh flowers, fruits, panchamrit.

  • Vishnu Sahasranama: the gold standard recitation for any Ekadashi. See our Vishnu Sahasranama — 1000 Names of Lord Vishnu.

Afternoon

  • Read the Mohini-katha: the story of the Samudra Manthan and the Mohini avatar.

  • Mantra japa: 108 chants of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya on a tulsi or kamalgatta mala.

  • Charity: feed cows, birds, donate to a temple food kitchen, sponsor an Ekadashi feeding program at TTD or BAPS Sahayog.

Evening

  • Sunset arati to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

  • Mohini Stotram — recite three times.

  • Tulsi puja — circumambulate the tulsi 11 times with a small ghee diya.

  • Optional jagaran: stay awake until midnight reciting bhajans, Vishnu mantras and the Bhagavata Skandha 8 (the Samudra Manthan adhyaya).

Parana (10 May 2026)

  • After sunrise, offer fresh tulsi water and one small portion of cooked rice with ghee and curd at the altar; eat the prasad as the symbolic parana.

  • Donate dakshina to a Brahmin or contribute online to a temple — the Padma Purana mandates dakshina to complete the merit of the Ekadashi vrat.

Eleven powerful Vishnu mantras for Mohini Ekadashi

  • 1. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — the dvadashakshari (12-syllable) Vishnu mantra.

  • 2. Om Namo Narayanaya — the ashtakshari (8-syllable) Vishnu mantra.

  • 3. Sri Krishna Govind Hare Murari, He Nath Narayan Vasudeva — the panchakshari kirtan.

  • 4. Vishnu Sahasranama — the supreme Ekadashi recitation.

  • 5. Mohini Stotram — the special hymn for this Ekadashi.

  • 6. Achyuta-Ananta-Govinda — chanted thrice removes Ekadashi-related doshas.

  • 7. Sri Sukta — the Lakshmi hymn (since Mohini and Lakshmi share the day).

  • 8. Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12 — the Bhakti Yoga chapter, particularly verses 13–14.

  • 9. Vishnu Gayatri: Om Narayanaya Vidmahe, Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat.

  • 10. Bhagavata Skandha 8 — the Samudra Manthan adhyaya itself.

  • 11. Madhurashtakam (Vallabha-acharya) — eight verses on the sweetness of the Lord.

Mohini Ekadashi for NRIs — country-by-country observance

  • USA (BAPS, Sri Venkateswara, ISKCON): most Vaishnava temples hold special abhishekam, akhand bhajan and bhandara on Mohini Ekadashi. ISKCON temples are particularly active.

  • UK (BAPS Neasden, Bhaktivedanta Manor): a full-day Vishnu Sahasranama paath; Bhaktivedanta Manor holds a 24-hour Krishna kirtan.

  • Canada (BAPS Toronto, Hindu Sabha Mississauga): community Ekadashi prasad with phalahari thali; Sundarkand and Vishnu Sahasranama paath.

  • Australia (Sri Venkateswara Helensburgh, BAPS Sydney): Vaikuntha-style abhishekam for Sri Venkateswara on Mohini Ekadashi.

  • UAE (BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, Krishna Temple Bur Dubai): Mohini avatar bhajans and Sri Sukta paath.

Frequently asked questions about Mohini Ekadashi 2026

When is Mohini Ekadashi 2026?

Saturday, 9 May 2026 — Vaishakha Shukla Ekadashi. Parana on Sunday 10 May after sunrise.

What is the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu?

Mohini is the supremely beautiful, enchanting feminine form Lord Vishnu took during the Samudra Manthan to retrieve the amrita from the asuras and deliver it to the devas — restoring dharma without violence.

Can women observe Mohini Ekadashi?

Yes — there is no restriction. Many women observe it specifically for grace, beauty, marital harmony, and the boon of divine intelligence.

What is the parana time?

Sunday 10 May 2026, after sunrise (~6:00 AM local time across most of India and many NRI countries), and before Dwadashi tithi ends in the evening.

Can I drink water on Mohini Ekadashi?

Yes — Mohini Ekadashi is not a Nirjala Ekadashi. Water, milk, fresh juice, coconut water and tulsi water are all allowed.

What food is forbidden?

Grains (rice, wheat, lentils, beans), regular salt, onion, garlic, meat, eggs, alcohol, processed/packaged food.

What food is allowed?

Fruits, milk, paneer, sabudana, sama rice (vrat-rice), kuttu, rajgira, singhara, peanuts, makhana, dry fruits, ghee, sendha namak (rock salt). The same as other Ekadashi fasts.

Should I do jagaran (night vigil)?

Recommended but not mandatory. Reciting Vishnu mantras and the Bhagavata until midnight enhances the merit. The full overnight vigil is the highest form.

What is the most powerful mantra for Mohini Ekadashi?

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya — the 12-syllable Vishnu mantra. Followed by the Vishnu Sahasranama paath.

Can NRIs observe Mohini Ekadashi remotely from India?

Yes — observe per your local sunrise. NRIs do not need to follow India sunrise; the tithi window is calculated locally.

Annadana (food donation), particularly to a Vishnu temple or to Akshaya Patra. Even a small dakshina to a Brahmin priest is considered very meritorious.

Can I sponsor an online Ekadashi seva?

Yes — TTD, BAPS, ISKCON, Sabarimala, and most Vaishnava temples accept online sankalpa booking. The puja and Vishnu Sahasranama are performed in your name.

Closing — let Mohini lift the veil

Mohini Ekadashi is the day Lord Vishnu reminded the universe that the highest dharma is not only fierce strength but graceful intelligence. The amrita went to the right hands not because the devas became stronger, but because the Lord himself stepped between them and the asuras. On 9 May 2026, observe the fast, recite Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, read the Vishnu Sahasranama, and quietly ask the Mohini-form to lift one specific veil of delusion in your own life — a fear, an attachment, an old grudge, a wrong loyalty. The Lord answers Mohini Ekadashi prayers with extraordinary specificity.

Hari Om Tat Sat. Govinda Hari Govinda. Subh Mohini Ekadashi 2026.

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