Papmochani Ekadashi 2027: Date, Vrat Katha, Puja Vidhi, Parana and the Story of Medhavi

Papmochani Ekadashi (पापमोचनी एकादशी) is the Ekadashi of the Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) of Chaitra, observed as a fast of repentance and release from sins. The name literally means “the one who frees from sin”. By tradition, devotees worship Lord Vishnu, fast, listen to the vrat katha and chant the Lord’s name, sincerely asking forgiveness for their mistakes and resolving to walk a better path.

This Ekadashi falls between Holi and Chaitra Navratri and is considered the last Ekadashi before the Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat). Many devotees see it as a chance to leave the mistakes of the old year behind and enter the new one with a clean heart. The next Ekadashi, Kamada, is the first of the new samvat.

The katha of Papmochani Ekadashi tells of sage Medhavi and the apsara Manjughosha, and of how sage Chyavana showed his son the path of atonement through this very fast. Below you will find the date, parana time, the full vrat katha, step-by-step puja vidhi, samagri list, mantras, fasting rules and answers to common questions.

Papmochani Ekadashi 2027 Date: Tithi and Parana Time

Quick answer: Papmochani Ekadashi 2026 (15 March) has already passed. The next Papmochani Ekadashi falls on Friday, 2 April 2027. As per the New Delhi panchang, Ekadashi tithi begins at 12:45 AM on 2 April and ends at 2:51 AM on 3 April. Parana is on 3 April; since Hari Vasara lasts until 9:15 AM that day, the Smarta panchang gives a parana window of 1:40 PM to 4:10 PM, while the ISKCON (Vaishnava) calendar gives 9:15 AM to 10:20 AM.

The table above automatically shows the date and parana time for your city, for this year and the coming years. Sunrise differs from city to city, so always check the parana time for your own location.

When the Ekadashi tithi touches the sunrise of two days, the Smarta (householder) and Vaishnava dates can differ. Householders usually follow the Smarta date, while followers of Vaishnava sampradayas follow their own or the ISKCON calendar.

Papmochani Ekadashi Meaning and Other Names

“Papmochani” joins two words: “papa” (sin) and “mochani” (one who releases). Tradition holds that this Ekadashi lightens the burden of mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly. It is therefore also called the Ekadashi of atonement and self-purification.

Other names of Papmochani Ekadashi

• Papmochini Ekadashi — the spelling used in many panchangs and katha books.
• Papamochani Ekadashi — a common English spelling, used by ISKCON and Drik Panchang.
• Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi — as per the North Indian Purnimanta calendar.
• Phalguna Krishna Ekadashi — as per the Amanta calendar of South and West India.

Month in the Purnimanta and Amanta calendars

In the Purnimanta calendar of North India, a month ends on Purnima. Chaitra begins the day after Holi (Phalguna Purnima), so this Ekadashi falls in Chaitra Krishna Paksha.

In the Amanta calendar used in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a month ends on Amavasya. There the same day is the Ekadashi of Phalguna Krishna Paksha. It is the same day under two month names, usually in March or April.

Significance of Papmochani Ekadashi

Religious significance

By tradition, the Papmochani Ekadashi fast is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that keeping it with faith, hearing the katha and remembering the Lord reduces the effect of sins committed knowingly or unknowingly. The katha ends by saying that reading or hearing it brings merit equal to donating a thousand cows.

Each of the 24 Ekadashis of the year has its own theme: liberation, children, victory and so on. The theme of Papmochani is atonement and self-purification. It reminds us that making mistakes is human, but admitting and correcting them is the path of dharma.

Spiritual message

In this katha even a great ascetic loses his way. The message is that desire, attraction and anger can overpower anyone, however learned. Medhavi first falls into infatuation, then curses in anger, and finally, full of regret, confesses everything to his father.

Spiritually, “freedom from sin” is not about a ritual alone but about repentance, confession and correction. The fast teaches restraint, the katha invites reflection and chanting calms the mind. Tradition sees atonement in the coming together of all three.

Mention in the Puranas

According to tradition, the katha of Papmochani Ekadashi appears in the Bhavishyottara Purana (the later part of the Bhavishya Purana), where Lord Krishna describes the glories of the Ekadashis. It is a story within a story: Krishna repeats what sage Lomasha once told King Mandhata.

Most Hindi katha books present the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, while ISKCON and many Vaishnava texts have King Yudhishthira asking the question. The core story, characters and message are the same in both.

Papmochani Ekadashi Vrat Katha: Sage Medhavi and Apsara Manjughosha

How the story begins

Lord Krishna was asked, “O Lord, what is the name of the Ekadashi in the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra, how is it observed and what is its fruit?” Krishna replied that it is called Papmochani. He explained that long ago King Mandhata had asked sage Lomasha how a person could be freed from sins by a simple means, and Lomasha answered with this story.

The Chaitraratha forest and the ascetic Medhavi

In ancient times there was a beautiful forest called Chaitraratha, where it always felt like spring. Flowers bloomed everywhere, apsaras and kinnaras roamed, gandharva maidens wandered, and Indra sometimes came there with the other gods. Some traditions describe it as the garden of Kubera, the lord of wealth.

In that forest lived a young sage named Medhavi, absorbed in intense tapas. He was the son of the great sage Chyavana and a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva.

Manjughosha and Kamadeva

To break Medhavi’s tapas, an apsara named Manjughosha came there. She stayed a little distance from his ashram and began singing sweetly to the veena.

According to the katha, Kamadeva, the god of love, also arrived. Lord Shiva had once burnt him to ashes, so he wanted to break the penance of this Shiva devotee. He made Manjughosha’s eyebrows his bow, her sidelong glance his bowstring and her eyes his arrows. Some versions say Kamadeva sent Manjughosha, while others say Indra sent her, worried by the power of the sage’s tapas.

The young Medhavi forgot his penance and his devotion to Shiva and was drawn to Manjughosha. He gave up his restraint and began living with her. Lost in infatuation, he no longer knew day from night.

Fifty-seven years and the sage’s anger

After a long time, Manjughosha asked permission to return to heaven. Medhavi said, “It is only evening now, go in the morning.” This happened again and again. At last she reminded him that fifty-seven years had passed. The ISKCON telling gives the period as 57 years, 9 months and 3 days, yet to the sage it had felt like a single moment.

Hearing this, Medhavi realised what had happened. He felt that all his tapas had been destroyed. Along with regret came fierce anger, and he cursed Manjughosha: “You have destroyed my penance, so become a pishachini (a ghostly being).”

Manjughosha’s plea and the remedy

Manjughosha trembled at the curse. With folded hands she begged forgiveness: “O sage, I have spent so many years with you. Have mercy on me and tell me how I may be freed from this curse.”

Her plea calmed Medhavi’s anger, and he regretted his harsh words. He said, “The Ekadashi in the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra is called Papmochani. If you observe its fast properly, you will be freed from the pishacha form.” He then explained the full method of the fast.

The advice of sage Chyavana

Medhavi then went to the ashram of his father, sage Chyavana. Seeing his son’s dull face, Chyavana asked, “Son, where have your spiritual power and radiance gone?” Medhavi hid nothing and told him the whole story truthfully, asking for a way to atone.

Chyavana said that he had lost his tapas through infatuation and had also cursed another being in anger. He told Medhavi to observe the same Papmochani Ekadashi of Chaitra Krishna Paksha with faith and proper method. That would destroy his sins and restore the radiance of his tapas.

The fruit of the fast

Obeying his father, Medhavi kept the Papmochani Ekadashi fast. According to the katha, his sins were destroyed and his radiance returned. Manjughosha also observed the fast, was freed from the pishachini form and returned to heaven in her beautiful divine form.

Sage Lomasha concludes that whoever keeps the Papmochani Ekadashi fast is freed even from grave sins, and that reading or hearing this story brings the merit of donating a thousand cows. This is the belief of the tradition, to be understood in a spirit of faith.

Lessons from the katha

• Infatuation is fleeting: fifty-seven years felt like a moment. In pleasure we lose track of time, which is why restraint matters.
• Anger becomes a second mistake: blaming another and cursing her was also wrong, and Medhavi came to regret it.
• Confession is the first step: Medhavi hid nothing from his father, and honesty opened the way to correction.
• Both get a chance: both the sage and the apsara kept the fast and both were freed. The story offers correction to both rather than blaming one.

What “Freedom from Sins” Means on Papmochani Ekadashi

People often ask whether one day’s fast can really wipe away all sins. Tradition sees it as a matter of faith. The scriptures always pair atonement with repentance, a resolve not to repeat the mistake and, where possible, making amends.

So Papmochani Ekadashi is not a “do wrong, then fast for forgiveness” device. Even in the katha, Medhavi first admits his mistake and only then keeps the fast. In the tradition’s view, the fast strengthens that inner change.

How to reflect on this day

• In the evening, sit quietly and think about things from the past year that may have hurt someone.
• If you spoke harshly to someone, apologise if you can.
• Make one small, practical resolve to give up a bad habit.
• Silently admit your mistakes before the Lord and pray for right understanding.

Papmochani Ekadashi and the Hindu New Year: Between Holi and Chaitra Navratri

The timing of Papmochani Ekadashi makes it special. It comes about a week after Holi, and a few days later the Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat), Chaitra Navratri, Gudi Padwa and Ugadi begin on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.

Since the Hindu samvat changes on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Papmochani is considered the last Ekadashi of the samvat year. Kamada Ekadashi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha then becomes the first Ekadashi of the new year. In years with an Adhik Maas the number of Ekadashis increases, but Papmochani keeps this place in the sequence.

Many families treat the day as a kind of spiritual New Year resolution. After the festivity of Holi, it is a day of restraint and a chance to purify the mind before the sadhana of Navratri. If you plan to fast during Navratri, you can begin a sattvic routine from Papmochani Ekadashi itself.

Papmochani Ekadashi Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)

Dashami (the day before)

1. Eat simple sattvic food on Dashami; a single meal before sunset is considered good.
2. On Dashami night avoid rice, onion, garlic, meat, alcohol and tamasic food.
3. Clean the house and the puja space, and keep the samagri ready.
4. Sleep early with the next day’s fast in mind.

Ekadashi morning and sankalp

1. Wake up in Brahma Muhurta or before sunrise and bathe, adding a little Ganga jal to the water if possible.
2. Wear clean, light yellow or white clothes.
3. Offer water to the Sun God.
4. Take water, akshat and a flower in your hand and make the sankalp: “I (your name) am keeping the Papmochani Ekadashi fast today to please Lord Vishnu and to atone for mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly.” Also state whether you will keep a nirjala, phalahar or single-meal fast.

Worship of Lord Vishnu

1. Spread a yellow cloth on a chowki and place an idol or picture of Lord Vishnu (or Shri Krishna) and Goddess Lakshmi.
2. Bathe the idol with Ganga jal or panchamrit, then with clean water.
3. Apply yellow chandan, roli and akshat.
4. Offer yellow flowers, a garland and tulsi leaves. Do not pluck tulsi on Ekadashi; pick the leaves a day earlier.
5. Light incense and a ghee lamp.
6. Offer fruits, sweets or panchamrit as bhog, always with a tulsi leaf.
7. Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” at least 108 times.
8. Read the Papmochani Ekadashi vrat katha or listen to it with your family.
9. Perform the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti and the Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti.
10. Finally, ask the Lord’s forgiveness for your mistakes and pray for the welfare of all.

During the day and evening puja

1. Read the Vishnu Sahasranama or Bhagavad Gita, or sing bhajans.
2. Avoid anger, gossip, lies and arguments, since the spirit of this fast is self-correction.
3. In the evening, light a lamp again, place one near the tulsi plant and perform aarti.
4. If possible, keep a night vigil with bhajan and kirtan. If you cannot stay up all night, chant for some time before sleeping.

Dwadashi and parana

1. On Dwadashi morning, bathe and worship Lord Vishnu.
2. Give food, grain or dakshina to a brahmin, a needy person or a cow.
3. Break the fast with a tulsi leaf and water within your city’s parana window (see the table above).
4. Do the parana with sattvic food and avoid tamasic food that day too.

Puja Samagri List

• Idol or picture of Lord Vishnu or Shri Krishna
• Chowki and yellow cloth
• Ganga jal and a kalash of clean water
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
• Yellow chandan, roli, turmeric and akshat
• Yellow flowers and a garland
• Tulsi leaves (picked a day earlier)
• Incense, a ghee lamp, cotton wicks and camphor
• Fruits, dry fruits and sweets
• Paan, supari, cloves and cardamom
• Coconut
• Vrat katha book or this page
• Grain, fruit, clothes or dakshina for daan

Papmochani Ekadashi Mantras

Faith and focus matter more than perfect pronunciation. Chant one or more of these mantras as you are comfortable; chanting 108 times on a tulsi mala is considered auspicious.

1. Dwadashakshar mantra

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥ (Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya)

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu). This is the most popular Ekadashi mantra and can be chanted throughout the day.

2. Ashtakshar Narayana mantra

ॐ नमो नारायणाय॥ (Om Namo Narayanaya)

Meaning: I bow to Lord Narayana. It is short and simple, easy for children and elders too.

3. Vishnu Gayatri mantra

ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥ (Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi, Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat)

Meaning: May we know Narayana and meditate on Vasudeva; may that Lord Vishnu guide our understanding. It suits a fast of self-correction, as a prayer for right understanding.

4. Krishna mantra for removing distress

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने। प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः॥ (Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye Paramatmane, Pranata-klesha-nashaya Govindaya Namo Namah)

Meaning: Salutations again and again to Krishna, Vasudeva, Hari, the Supreme Self and Govinda, who removes the distress of those who take refuge in Him. The verse comes from the Shrimad Bhagavatam. Since Krishna himself narrates the Papmochani katha, it is chanted with special feeling on this day.

5. Vishnu dhyana mantra

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं, विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं, वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vishnu, of peaceful form, resting on the serpent bed, lotus-navelled, lord of the gods, support of the universe, vast as the sky, cloud-coloured and auspicious; beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis through meditation, remover of the fear of worldly life and the one lord of all worlds.

Papmochani Ekadashi Fasting Rules: What to Eat and What to Avoid

The basic rule of the Ekadashi fast is giving up grains, especially rice. How strict your fast is depends on your health, age and family tradition. The best fast is the one you can keep with faith and ease.

What you can eat

• Seasonal fruits such as banana, apple, papaya, grapes, orange and watermelon
• Milk, curd, buttermilk, paneer and makhana
• Sabudana khichdi or kheer
• Kuttu, singhara or rajgira flour rotis or puris (where your tradition allows)
• Potato, sweet potato, arbi and pumpkin
• Rock salt (sendha namak), black pepper and cumin
• Peanuts, almonds, walnuts and other dry fruits
• Coconut water, lemon water and plain water

What to avoid

• Rice and anything made from rice, the main prohibition on Ekadashi
• Wheat, barley, maize, millets and pulses
• Onion, garlic, meat, eggs, fish and alcohol
• Regular table salt; use rock salt instead
• Heavy fried, stale or packaged food
• Tobacco, pan masala and other intoxicants

Nirjala fast

In a nirjala fast, both food and water are given up from sunrise until parana the next day. It is the strictest form and should be kept only by healthy adults. Since the weather starts warming up in March and April, take care of dehydration.

Phalahar fast

Phalahar is the most common form. Grains are avoided, but fruits, milk, nuts and fasting foods are allowed, and you may drink water freely. Most householders keep this fast.

One meal (Ekabhukta)

Those who cannot go the whole day without food can take one sattvic fasting meal, such as sabudana or kuttu dishes. It is a practical choice for elders, working people and anyone who feels weak.

Health caution: If you have diabetes, blood pressure, kidney or heart problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are elderly, or take regular medicines, consult your doctor before a strict or nirjala fast. Do not stop medicines without medical advice. Tradition accepts phalahar, or simply puja and chanting, for such devotees.

Papmochani Ekadashi Parana: When and How to Break the Fast

Parana means breaking the fast, and the fast is considered complete only when parana is done at the right time. The main rules are:

• Parana on Dwadashi: break the fast the next day, during Dwadashi tithi, after sunrise, and before Dwadashi ends.
• Not during Hari Vasara: the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi is called Hari Vasara, and parana is not done in it.
• Morning is best: Pratahkal (early morning) is the preferred time for parana.
• Avoid midday: if Hari Vasara runs late into the morning and Pratahkal passes, many panchangs give a parana time after Madhyahna (midday). That is why in some years parana falls in the afternoon.
• Smarta and Vaishnava: the Smarta and Vaishnava (ISKCON) parana times can differ because their rules differ slightly. Follow your own tradition.

The exact parana time for your city is in the table above. For sunrise and tithi details of the day, you can also see our Daily Panchang.

How to do parana

1. After bathing, offer bhog to Lord Vishnu and perform aarti.
2. Take a tulsi leaf and a little water first, then the prasad.
3. Eat a light sattvic meal; avoid heavy or fried food right after the fast.
4. Give food or daan to someone in need before or along with parana.

Do’s and Don’ts on Papmochani Ekadashi

Do’s

• Bathe early and take the sankalp of the fast.
• Worship Lord Vishnu and read or listen to the Papmochani Ekadashi vrat katha.
• Chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Silently admit your mistakes and resolve to improve.
• If you are upset with someone, talk to them and apologise or forgive.
• Donate grain, fruit, clothes or water; with summer approaching, donating water or an earthen pot is also considered good.
• Light a lamp near the tulsi plant in the evening.
• Do the parana at the correct time.

Don’ts

• Do not eat rice or grains.
• Stay away from onion, garlic, meat, alcohol and intoxicants.
• Do not pluck tulsi leaves on Ekadashi.
• Avoid anger, lies, gossip, harsh words and insulting anyone; avoiding anger is the key lesson of the katha.
• Avoid sleeping during the day, if your health allows.
• Do not force anyone to fast, especially the sick, the elderly or pregnant women.
• Do not do parana during Hari Vasara or after Dwadashi has ended.

Papmochani Ekadashi Myths vs Reality

Myth: Keep the Papmochani fast and any wrongdoing will be forgiven.

Reality: In tradition, atonement means repentance and not repeating the mistake. In the katha, Medhavi first confesses to his father and only then is shown the fast. Treating the fast as a “forgiveness pass” while knowingly doing wrong goes against its spirit.

Myth: This fast is only for people who have committed great sins.

Reality: Papmochani Ekadashi is for anyone who seeks self-purification and devotion. Everyday mistakes, harsh words or hurting someone are also matters for reflection. The fast is not meant to label anyone a sinner but to give everyone a chance to improve.

Myth: In the katha, all the blame lies with the apsara Manjughosha.

Reality: Medhavi gave up his restraint and later cursed her in anger, which he himself regretted. Chyavana asked his own son to atone. In the end both kept the fast and both were freed. The message is to accept responsibility, not to shift blame.

Myth: Without a nirjala fast, Papmochani Ekadashi brings no merit.

Reality: Scripture and tradition also accept phalahar and single-meal fasts. The spirit of the fast is faith, restraint and devotion, not hurting the body. Those who cannot keep a nirjala fast can keep phalahar and worship wholeheartedly.

Myth: If you accidentally eat something, the fast is ruined and bad luck follows.

Reality: For an unintentional slip, tradition advises asking the Lord’s forgiveness and continuing the fast with faith. It should not be tied to fear or bad omens. Stay calm, pray for forgiveness and be more careful next Ekadashi.

Myth: Parana can be done any time after sunrise.

Reality: Parana is done on Dwadashi, but not during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi. In some years Hari Vasara lasts late into the morning and panchangs give an afternoon time. Always check your city’s parana time in the table above.

Myth: Fasting “detoxes” the body, so everyone should fast strictly.

Reality: The Ekadashi fast is a religious practice, not a medical treatment. Everyone’s health is different. With diabetes, pregnancy, old age or regular medicines, consult a doctor before a strict fast and choose a form that suits you.

Benefits of Papmochani Ekadashi (as per Religious Belief)

The benefits below are beliefs based on tradition and faith; each person’s experience may differ.

• Release from the effect of sins: it is believed that a sincere fast lightens the burden of mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly.
• Peace of mind: confession, forgiveness and prayer ease guilt and bring calm.
• Restraint and self-control: fasting, chanting and a sattvic routine build control over desires.
• Merit of hearing the katha: by tradition, reading or hearing it brings merit equal to donating a thousand cows.
• A clean start to the new year: as the last Ekadashi of the samvat, it is seen as a chance to clear the mind before the new year.
• Grace of Lord Vishnu: devotees believe that devotion on this day brings Shri Hari’s grace and peace at home.
• Healing relationships: asking and giving forgiveness can bring warmth back into strained relationships.

Related Ekadashis and Readings

Just before Papmochani comes Amalaki Ekadashi of Phalguna Shukla, when the amla tree is worshipped. After Papmochani comes Kamada Ekadashi of Chaitra Shukla, the first Ekadashi of the new samvat, known for fulfilling wishes. See all Ekadashi dates of the year on our Ekadashi Kab Hai page.

For the puja, also read the Om Jai Jagdish Hare Aarti, Ekadashi Mata Ki Aarti and Tulsi Mata Ki Aarti. For all aartis in one place, download the Aarti Sangrah PDF.

Papmochani Ekadashi teaches that straying is human, and returning is the path of devotion. On this day, honestly accept your mistakes, ask someone’s forgiveness, forgive someone in turn, and pray at Lord Vishnu’s feet for right understanding in the new year. May Shri Hari bless you and your whole family. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Frequently asked questions