Haribodhani Ekadashi and wedding of the Tulsi (basil) plants were observed by people all across the country on Monday.
Today, devotees flocked to various Narayan temples in Kathmandu Valley, mainly Budhanilkantha, and other Narayan temples nationwide since the early morning.
To mark the day, devotees hung torans of flowers at the Pashupatinath Temple.
On the occasion of Haribodhani Ekadashi, Tulsi plant, which is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is decorated with flowers along with other accessories.
Small twigs of bamboo, colloquially called lingo, are raised over the Tulsi Moth, where Tulsi plants grow, to mount garlands.
It is believe that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Harishayani Ekadashi and wakes up to preside over the religious rites across the universe on the day of Haribodhani Ekadashi.
It is an important Ekadashi, this Ekadashi is also called the biggest Ekadashi or Thuli Ekadashi for its glory.
To mark the day devotees observe fast or only eat pure food and worship the Tulsi plant. The devotees observing this fast, it is believed, are conferred with prosperity, fame, success and will find a place in ‘Vaikunth’, the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu.
Laxmi Shrestha, 65, of Sokhel, Dakshinkali Municipality observed fast today.
She said that she got up early in the morning, took bath as usual and cleaned the home and Tusli Moth.
“Then we raised five small twigs of bamboo over the Tulsi Moth and decorated them with marigold flower, offered sweet potato, colocasia and worshipped the Tulsi plant,” she said. “I feel good and get inner satisfaction performing worship in every festival, including Haribodhani Ekadashi.”
Dakshinkali Municipality also announced a local holiday for schools and offices to celebrate the day.
Shesh (or Sekh) Narayan Temple, a sacred Vishnu shrine surrounded by ponds and statues, is located on the way to Pharping. A fair is held at the temple today from early in the morning.
Shesh Naryan Temple is one the four Narayan temples – Icchangu Narayan, Sheshnarayan, Bishanku Narayan and Changu Narayan – in the Kathmandu valley.
Outside the valley, devotees flocked at the Kaligandaki River of Gulmi to take holy bath early in the morning.
Khim Lal Pandey, 77, of Harmichaur of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality Wards No. 1, said that large number of devotees gathered at the Kaligandaki River from three bordering districts.
The fairs are also held at Ramdhumi Temple of Sunsari, and Maipokhari of Illam. Haribodhani Ekadashi is one of 24 Ekadashis that are celebrated round the Nepali year. Two Ekadashis fall in a month so there are 24 Ekadashis in 12 months.
Each Ekadashi has its own significance and fasting on these days is believed to yield different benefits.
Source : TRN,
