How Mohini Ekadashi celebrates gender fluidity? Check out Auspicious timings and Puja Shubh Muhurat

This year Mohini Ekadashi 2022, will fall on Thursday, 12th May, this propitious occasion occurs during the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha as per the Hindu lunar calendar and is generally celebrated in the month of April and May as per the English calendar.

Etymologically, Mohini refers to a feminine avatar of Lord Vishnu and Mohini Ekadashi is celebrated because Lord Vishnu appeared as Mohini or Nymph (Apsara) for the first time on this day and this Mohini avatar is considered to be the most charismatic and beautiful avatar of Lord Vishnu. He took this beautiful feminine form to settle down the dispute and distribute nectar drink among the deities at the time of “Samudra Manthan”.

Since then, this festival holds great significance among Hindus, and Lord Vishnu's feminine form is worshiped and Ekadashi Vrat, or fasting is observed on this day by devotees to attain salvation. Mohini Ekadashi is considered one of the biggest Ekadashi among all other Ekadashis. In such a situation, let us know today Mohini Ekadashi's mythological story in short and its auspicious puja timings—

Timings and Shubh Muhurat

Mohini Ekadashi Date —  Thursday, May 12, 2022

Mohini Ekadashi Tithe Begins — At 7:31 PM, May 11, 2022

Mohini Ekadashi Tithe Ends — At 6:51 PM, May 12, 2022

Devotees must follow these things to observe Ekadashi Vrat/ Fasting

• The devotees who observe the fast on Mohini Ekadashi must wake up early in the morning in Brahma Muhurta to take bath.

• Clean the temple of the house, place an idol of Lord Vishnu and light a  ghee Diya, offer flowers or vermillion, and offer homemade sweets and dry fruits to Lord Vishnu.

•  Devotees must spend their day chanting Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudeva and Vishnu Sahasranaam Stotra once a day and recite Lord Vishnu Aarti.

• Tulsi must be included in the Bhog of Lord Vishnu.

• Should keep yourself away from smoking and drinking habits.

• Keep in mind that only sattvic things are offered to God.

Mythological Story of  Mohini Ekadashi

According to the Hindu Scriptures, at the time of “Samudra Manthan” was formed an urn full of nectar was churned out of the ocean. Numerous demons started landing the ‘Amrit’ and taking it away from the gods in order to become immortal. Gradually the situation got worse enough that Lord Vishnu got worried about the spread of the devil and their negative energies in the world. 

He came up with an interesting way to distract the demons. He took a feminine form, Mohini, which was highly attractive and anyone who looked at her got distracted from all the other things.

Taking advantage, Lord Vishnu persuaded the deities and the demons to drink the ‘Amrit’ one by one from her hands. Foolish demons agreed and they gave the nectar urn to the Mohini form of Lord Vishnu. Soon after receiving the nectar urn, Lord Vishnu offers that nectar drink to deities first. 

Interestingly, one of the demons took the form of God and joined the queue to get ‘Amrit’. However, he was recognized by  God ‘Surya' and ‘Chandra’. At last Lord Vishnu took out his chakra and chopped the head of the demon from the body. As he already drank the ‘Amrit’, his body got divided into two but he survived. They, then, got the identity of ‘Rahu’ and ‘Ketu’.

This holy day is considered to remove all kinds of sorrows and sufferings and punish the evil in one or the other way to save mankind. Besides, celebrating Mohini Ekadashi is a way to honor the balance of power of both males and females. This auspicious day also encourages people to break gender stereotypes and take into account that every gender is equal.