கோசாலை / நன்கொடை
Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi 2026: Date, Parana Time and Fast Rules
வெளியிடப்பட்டது · புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது
Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi 2026 fall together on Sunday, 20 December 2026. Ekadashi runs from 10:09 PM on 19 December to 8:14 PM on 20 December, and parana is on 21 December, 7:10–9:13 AM (New Delhi). Devotees read the Bhagavad Gita, keep the Ekadashi fast and book a Gita or Vishnu Sahasranama path.
The Divine Hindu App is here.
Chat with astrologers, generate your Kundli, book temple Puja and Chadhava, and check today's Panchang — all in one app.
Gita Jayanti 2026 and Mokshada Ekadashi 2026: date and parana
Both fall on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi. Panchangs calculated for New Delhi list Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi on the same day.
| Detail | Date and time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi | Sunday, 20 December 2026 |
| Ekadashi begins | 19 Dec, 10:09 PM |
| Ekadashi ends | 20 Dec, 8:14 PM |
| Parana (breaking the fast) | 21 Dec, 7:10–9:13 AM |
Another panchang gives the Ekadashi end as 8:15 PM and parana as 7:14–9:16 AM. New Delhi timings; your city may differ by a few minutes, and dates may differ by a day by region or panchang. In Kurukshetra, the International Gita Mahotsav runs from 5 to 25 December 2026, as listed on its Haryana government website.
What Gita Jayanti marks
In tradition, Gita Jayanti is the day Shri Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra, just before the Mahabharata war. The Gita has 18 chapters and 700 verses, and forms part of the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata.
The month itself is honoured in the Gita. In chapter 10, verse 35, Krishna says that among months he is Margashirsha. Read more on why the Gita honours Margashirsha.
How to read the Gita on Gita Jayanti
- Prepare: Bathe early, light a lamp before Shri Krishna and offer flowers and tulsi picked the day before.
- Full path: Read all 18 chapters in one sitting, or divide the chapters among family members.
- One chapter with meaning: If time is short, read one chapter slowly with a translation and discuss it at home. Many readers choose chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga), 12 (Bhakti Yoga) or 15 (Purushottama Yoga).
- Sahasranama: Many also recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand names of Vishnu.
- Gita daan: Gifting a copy of the Gita to a student, school or temple library is a cherished custom.
For step-by-step guidance, see how Geeta Path is done at home and the meaning of Geeta Path.
Mokshada Ekadashi fast rules
Mokshada means "giver of moksha", or liberation. The vrat is kept for Vishnu, and the usual Ekadashi rules apply.
- Dashami (19 Dec): Eat a simple sattvic meal before the fast begins. Pick tulsi leaves on this day, as tulsi is not plucked on Ekadashi.
- Ekadashi (20 Dec): Avoid rice, grains and pulses. Keep a nirjala fast, or take fruit, milk and water, as your health allows.
- Worship: Offer tulsi, flowers and a lamp to Vishnu or Krishna. Spend the day in japa, Gita path and kirtan.
- Parana (21 Dec): Break the fast within 7:10–9:13 AM (New Delhi) with water, tulsi and a light meal.
Elders, pregnant women and anyone on medication should keep a lighter fast and consult a doctor. In 2026 this Ekadashi falls during Kharmas, which begins on 16 December; vrats and worship continue as usual in that period.
Mokshada Ekadashi and ancestors
The vrat katha tells of King Vaikhanasa, who dreamt that his late father was suffering. On a sage's advice, he kept Mokshada Ekadashi and offered its merit to his father. The story says his father was released from suffering. For this reason, many families dedicate this Ekadashi to their departed ancestors.
Pujas you can book for Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi
- Vishnu Sahasranama Path — Sakshi Gopal Temple, Sakhigopal: recited by a local priest in Sakhigopal, Odisha, with up to four names in the sankalp.
- Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam — South Indian Tradition: recited by a pandit who follows your family's tradition.
- Narayaneeyam Parayanam — South Indian Tradition: Bhattathiri's Sanskrit poem to Guruvayurappan, which retells the Bhagavata Purana.
- Geeta Path — Shri Badrinath Dham and Vishnu Sahasranam Path — Shri Badrinath Dham: Badrinath Dham closes in winter. The puja pages state that these paths are scheduled while the Dham is open, from its spring opening to its closing before winter. So they will not fall on 20 December.
Browse all Ekadashi pujas and path and recitation pujas. When you book, your name and gotra are taken in the sankalp, and video, photos or a receipt are shared as each puja page states. Divine Hindu is an independent service, not affiliated with the temple administration. For occasions to plan a Badrinath path, read when to arrange Geeta Path.
Related: Datta Jayanti and Annapurna Jayanti 2026 and Ekadashi 2027 dates and parana.
Frequently asked questions
When is Gita Jayanti in 2026?
Gita Jayanti is on Sunday, 20 December 2026, on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi. It shares the day with Mokshada Ekadashi. Ekadashi tithi runs from 10:09 PM on 19 December to 8:14 PM on 20 December, New Delhi time. Devotees mark it by reading the Bhagavad Gita.
Mokshada Ekadashi kab hai 2026, and what is the parana time?
Mokshada Ekadashi is on Sunday, 20 December 2026. Break the fast the next morning, 21 December, between 7:10 AM and 9:13 AM, New Delhi time. Another panchang gives 7:14 AM to 9:16 AM. Your city's window may differ by a few minutes.
Why are Gita Jayanti and Mokshada Ekadashi on the same day?
Both fall on the Shukla Ekadashi of Margashirsha. Tradition holds that Shri Krishna spoke the Gita to Arjuna on this tithi, and the same Ekadashi is called Mokshada, the giver of liberation. So devotees combine the fast with reading the Gita and worship of Vishnu.
What can I eat during the Mokshada Ekadashi fast?
Avoid rice, grains and pulses on Ekadashi. Many keep a nirjala fast, while others take fruit, milk, nuts and water. Some families allow sabudana or kuttu as custom permits. Elders, pregnant women and anyone on medication should keep a lighter fast and consult a doctor.
Why is Mokshada Ekadashi linked to ancestors?
The vrat katha tells of King Vaikhanasa, who dreamt his late father was suffering. On a sage's advice he kept this Ekadashi and offered its merit to his father, who, the story says, was released from suffering. Many families therefore dedicate the fast to their departed ancestors.
Can I book a Geeta Path at Badrinath for Gita Jayanti?
Badrinath Dham closes in winter, so a path there will not fall on 20 December. The puja page states that the Geeta Path is scheduled while the Dham is open, with the date confirmed on WhatsApp. For the Jayanti itself, consider the Vishnu Sahasranama Path at Sakshi Gopal Temple, Sakhigopal, or a South Indian parayanam.
To explore temple pujas for every occasion, visit Pooja Seva.
Pujas are offered in faith; no outcome is promised.
