Yogini Ekadashi is also called ‘Hari Vasara’ or the day of Lord Vishnu, to whom this festival is dedicated. This auspicious day falls in the ‘Ashada’ month on the 11th day in the ‘Krishna Paksha’. The day is considered very significant according to the Hindu beliefs which says that by observing fast on this day, one can abstain from any kind of sickness and be blessed with good health and prosperity. One can get rid of the negatives of committing sins and attain ‘salvation’ or ‘Moksha’. Devotees who observe fast and follow all rituals properly on this day get the benefits equivalent of feeding 88,000 brahmins.
What is the story behind celebrating the festival of Yogini Ekadashi?
The folklore has it that once upon a time there lived a royal gardener named Hem, who was a ‘Yaksha’ and had a beautiful wife named Swarupvati. He used to work for King Kuvera. King of Alakpuri. The king was a true devotee of Lord Shiva. It was Hem’s job to collect flowers from the holy Mansarovar lake and get it for the King so that he can worship Shiva. One day Hem forgot to fulfil his duty as he got busy with his wife. When the king got to know this he got furious and cursed Hem of suffering from leprosy and separation from his wife. He was thrown out of the kingdom. Hem then kept wandering for months alone when he came across the great sage ‘Markandeya’ who then told him to observe fast on the ‘Yogini Ekadashini’ in order to get relieved from the curse. Hem completed the fast and returned back to his original form of ‘Yaksha’. He then returned back to his wife and lived happily ever after. Since then, this day is considered auspicious as it relieves one of his sins and diseases.
What are the benefits of fasting on ‘Yogini Ekadashi’?
Those who are suffering from skin diseases, leprosy and other ailments are sure to be benefited from this fast. A person also gets rid of his sins and ill deeds or bad ‘karma’ by observing fast on this sacred day. It accommodates for one’s spiritual enlightenment and love for beloved Lord Vishnu. People get blessed with good health as well as a prosperous life filled with happiness.
What are the rituals one has to follow while doing ‘Yogini Ekadashi Pujan’?
- The fasting commences on the night of ‘Dashmi’ and is completed on the morning of ‘Dwadashi’ similar to other ‘Ekadashi’ fasts.
- The devotee has to wake up early in the morning to take a shower.
- He then goes to the nearest ‘Peepal’ tree and worships it, which is considered holy.
- One has to make a paste of mud and sesame seeds and cleanse his/her body with it for purification.
- Many devotees perform ‘Jagran’ or overnight praying and chanting of mantras to please Lord Vishnu.
- Devotees donate food, clothes and medicines to the needy and poor this day to seek blessings of the lord.
- People observing fast on this day have to abstain from consuming rice grains.
- Devotees chant and recite hymns of Lord Vishnu.
