Papamocani Ekadashi
Fasting day
From grains and beans, from sunrise
Break the fast ·
9:17 – 10:21 AM
Break the fast after the first quarter of Dvadashi has passed and before a third of the day has passed.
What is Papamocani Ekadashi?
Papamocani Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day of the dark fortnight of Caitra, in March or April, and its name means "remover of sins". In 2027 devotees fast on Friday, 2 April.
Significance
Lord Sri Krishna described this Ekadashi to Maharaja Yudhishthira, and Lomasa Rishi had earlier told its history to King Mandhata. It concerns Medhavi Muni, who lost the fruit of his long austerities when the celestial dancer Manjughosa drew him into fifty-seven years of enjoyment. On the advice of Cyavana Muni (his father), Medhavi fasted on this Ekadashi and was restored. Manjughosa, whom he had cursed to become a hobgoblin, was freed by the same fast.
Fasting on Ekadashi may help the health too, but it is kept to please Lord Krishna. That is why it frees one from sin: it brings a devotee back to Krishna's shelter, as He promises at the end of the Gita:
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.
Bhagavad-gita 18.66
How to observe it
Devotees give up grains, dal, peas and beans, along with anything made from them, such as wheat flour. Srila Prabhupada usually kept the fast in this simple way. Spend the day hearing about Medhavi and Manjughosa and chanting extra rounds. Break the fast on Saturday, 3 April 2027, between 9:17 AM and 10:21 AM at Kurukshetra.
Questions
When is Papamocani Ekadashi in 2027?
Papamocani Ekadashi is on Friday, 2 April 2027, and the fast is broken the next morning, Saturday, 3 April.
What time should I break the Papamocani Ekadashi fast in Kurukshetra?
Break the fast on Saturday, 3 April 2027, between 9:17 AM and 10:21 AM IST at Kurukshetra.
What does Papamocani mean?
Papamocani means "remover of sins". Lord Krishna told Maharaja Yudhishthira that this Ekadashi purifies a faithful devotee of sinful reactions and frees him from the influence of ghosts and demons.
Who were Medhavi and Manjughosa?
Medhavi was a sage who lost the fruit of his austerities after living many years with the celestial dancer Manjughosa. Fasting on Papamocani Ekadashi freed them both from their fall.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Fasting day
- Break fast
- · 9:17–10:21 AM
- Fast from
- Grains and beans
- Month
- Caitra, dark fortnight
- Described by
- Lord Sri Krishna to Maharaja Yudhishthira
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.