Haribodhini Ekadashi celebration in Narayan Temple (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: Haribodhini Ekadashi is a special festival celebrated by Hindu devotees. This Ekadashi is observed on the day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi.

The Ekadashi is also known as  Prabodhini, Devotthani, and Utthana. Haribodhini is the biggest Ekadashi, also known as ‘Thulo Ekadashi’.

According to ISCKON Dwarka Delhi, if someone obeys this Ekadashi then his all sins, no matter how huge the sin, will get destroyed in seconds. So, it is also called Papharani Ekadashi. Someone who fasts on this Hari Bodhani Ekadashi and stays awake all night, Ratri Jaagrani, will be replenished from the sins of the last 100) – 1000 births get destroyed of them.

Hari Shayani Ekadashi celebration in Budhanilkantha (Photo Feature)

People worship Tulsi since Ashad Shukla Ekadashi i.e. Harishayani Ekadashi. And there is a tradition of marrying Tulsi with Damodar on Haribodhini as per the scriptures.

There is a religious belief that Lord Vishnu, who sleeps in Ksheer Sagar, i.e. Chaturmas, on the day of Shukla Ekadashi or Harishayani Ekadashi, wakes up after four months on Haribodhini Ekadashi.

Likewise, there is also a tradition of paying homage to the temples of Lord Vishnu on this day. Changunarayan, Ichangu Narayan, Vishangkhunarayan, and Sheshnarayan. are the main Narayan temples of Narayan in Kathmandu Valley. Along with these temples, devotees are flocking to Vishnu temples across the nation.

Changunarayan Temple, Bhaktapur is worshipped as the eldest of the 4 Narayan Temples. The temple has also been crowded since early morning.

(Glimpses of Haribodhan Ekadashi)

(Photo Courtesy: Saroj Basnet) 

Nepali version of the photo feature