Mokshada Ekadashi: Opening Up The Gates Of Liberation

This day is also called as Vaikunda Ekadashi marked by the opening of a special entrance in the Vishnu temples namely Vaikund Dwar (the gate to Vaikund). Lord Vishnu’s idol is decorated and taken in procession through this entrance in the early morning followed by the devotees as a mark of entering the abode of Lord Vishnu.
It is also said the Bhgavad Gita was gien to Arujun by Lord Krishna on this day int eh battle field of Kuruksheta and therefore this days is also called as Gita Jayanti.
Mokshada Ekadashi Puja Vidhi
Devotees observing the Mokshada Ekadashi vrat wake up early in the morning and take holy bath. The puja altar is set up with the picture of Lord Vishnu or Krishna and the puja is offered with all sincerity with Shodasopachar (sixteen types of offerings). Incense, flowers, sandal paste, fragrant materials, Prasad and holy water with Tulsi leaves are offered during the puja. The devotees must visit the nearby Vishnu temple in the evening and can spend the whole day in sacred acts like chanting Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranamam and Mukundashtakam.
Mokshada Ekadashi Fasting Rules
Fasting starts early in the morning on the day of Ekadashi and extends for 24 hours till the next day of Dwadashi. After the first quarter of the Dwadashi, the fast is broken. Among all types of vrats, Ekadashi fasting is very strict and the devotees must not eat anything whatsoever during the fasting period. However, if this is not possible, then taking fruits and milk is allowed. In all cases, consuming garlic, onion, rice and grains during the fasting period is not allowed. The leaves of the Bel tree are eaten.
Mokshada Ekadashi Vrat Story
In a city called Champak Nagar, King Vaikhanasa was ruling. Due to his piousness and benevolent nature, the subjects were happy and the kingdom was blessed with prosperity and peace. Once the king had a dream in which his father was yelling from hell unable to bear the torture. Not able to bear the sufferings experienced by his father, the king approached a great sage named Parvata Muni and asked what was the meaning of the dream and what he must do to help his father out of the hell.
Parvata Muni said once his father forced his wife for sexual intercourse when she was undergoing her menstrual period. Despite the queen shouting in agony, the father forcibly had sex with her. It was due to that forbidden and grave act that he was suffering in the hell. As per the advice of the sage, the King observed the Mokshada Ekadashi vrat and offered the merits of the vrat for the benefit of his father who was released from the hell and attained liberation.
Mokshada Ekadashi Benefits
Mokshada Ekadashi is so powerful to release people from the cycle of births and deaths and lead to Vaikunta (the abode of Lord Vishnu) and is therefore is called as Mokshada Ekadashi (liberating Ekadashi).
The person observing this vrat shall get more merits than performing a huge Ashwamedha sacrifice. Vishnu Purana says the Mokshada Ekadashi can confer the merits of all the 24 Ekadashis put together in a year.
This Ekadashi vrat can also absolve men of the sins committed during the whole lifetime.