Just ahead of the Devshayani Ekadashi lies a lesser known but equally significant fasting day called Yogini Ekadashi. According to religious belief, observing this fast with proper rituals wipes away sins accumulated across several lifetimes. It is considered so powerful that a person who keeps it is said to earn the same spiritual merit as feeding 88000 Brahmins, along with a place in heaven. The fast is described as especially beneficial for people who have long been struggling with serious illness, financial hardship or ongoing family troubles. In 2026, Yogini Ekadashi will fall on July 10.
Why This Fast Is Considered So Powerful
Scriptures describe Yogini Ekadashi as more fruitful than many ordinary fasting days. Anyone who observes it with sincere devotion is believed to see even their oldest sins destroyed. That is precisely why people battling money troubles, health issues or persistent domestic problems are encouraged to keep this fast with special faith. The legend attached to this day is just as compelling as the rewards it promises.
King Kubera Of Alkapuri And His Servant Hemamali
According to the legend, there once existed a city called Alkapuri, ruled by Kubera, the god of wealth. Kubera was a devoted follower of Lord Shiva and performed his worship with strict discipline every single day. He was served by a yaksha named Hemamali, whose daily task was to bring fresh flowers for this worship. Hemamali's wife, Vishalakshi, was known for her extraordinary beauty. One day, instead of fetching the flowers as usual, Hemamali got lost in intimate moments with Vishalakshi and completely forgot his duty. This made him extremely late in delivering the flowers to the palace. When Kubera's court asked why he had not arrived, the attendants revealed the real reason for the delay. On hearing this, an enraged Kubera cursed Hemamali, condemning him to become a leper and suffer on earth.
Life With The Curse And A Meeting With Sage Markandeya
The curse took effect immediately, and Hemamali fell from heaven straight down to the mortal world, where he was struck with an incurable case of leprosy. Wracked with pain, he wandered from place to place and eventually found himself roaming the Himalayan region in this condition. During his wanderings, he arrived at the ashram of sage Markandeya. Seeing his pitiable state, Markandeya asked what terrible deed he had committed to deserve such suffering. Hemamali narrated the entire episode, his carelessness, Kubera's fury and the curse that followed. Moved by his story, the sage felt deep compassion for him.
The Remedy Suggested By Sage Markandeya
Sage Markandeya told Hemamali there was only one way out of his misery. He explained that if Hemamali observed the fast of Yogini Ekadashi, which falls during the Krishna Paksha of the Ashadh month, with complete devotion and proper rituals, it would free him of his leprosy and allow him to return to heaven. This gave Hemamali fresh hope, and he resolved to follow the sage's instructions exactly.
How The Fast Restored Hemamali To Heaven
Following Markandeya's guidance, Hemamali observed the Yogini Ekadashi fast with full faith and discipline. As a result, his body was completely cured of leprosy and he was restored to his original divine form. He also regained his lost place in heaven. It is said that Lord Krishna himself spoke of the importance of Yogini Ekadashi, stating that anyone who keeps this fast and listens to its sacred story with devotion earns merit equal to feeding 88000 Brahmins, and that all of their sins are destroyed as well.
