Haribodhini Ekadashi: Placing Toran to purge sins and gain blessing (Photo Feature)

Nepal Views

Kathmandu: Haribodhini Ekadashi is regarded as the most important Ekadashi in the Hindu religion. The Ekadashi is also known as Prabodhini, Devotthani, and Utthana.

This Ekadashi is treated as the biggest and auspicious Ekadashi. There is a ritual to set up an archway or “Toran” across rivers; symbolizing deep spiritual meaning.

Haribodhini Ekadashi occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Kartika. The day is much more purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake. According to the ISKCON Desire Tree, the sacred Ekadashi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Asvamedha sacrifices and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices.

Devotees of Lord Vishnu have been observing a Tulsi fast and performing special prayers for four months, starting from Harishayani Ekadashi, which concludes on Haribodhini Ekadashi. The celebration also includes a symbolic wedding between Tulsi and Lord Damodar.

Haribodhini Ekadashi celebration in Narayan Temple (Photo Feature)

Haribodhini Ekadashi is also the day when Lord Vishnu awakens from his divine sleep. Fasting, worshiping, and taking part in symbolic acts on this day are thought to honor religious and cultural beliefs. People believe that if one fasts completely on this day, the sins accumulated during his previous seven births are eradicated.

Similarly, the ritual of putting up a Toran signifies seeking refuge in the power of God, attaining freedom from suffering, and purging sins to gain blessings. The Toran, symbolizing heaven, is believed to bring spiritual purity when placed across a river.

A Toran has been placed across the Bagmati River at Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple on the auspicious Haribodhini Ekadashi.

(Glimpses of placing Toran across Bagmati River)