This Year, Yogini Ekadashi will be celebrated on Sunday, June 22, 2025. According to the Vaishnava Calendar, the fast-breaking time (Parana) is on Monday, June 23, between 05:24 AM and 10:03 AM.
What is Yogini Ekadashi?
Yogini Ekadashi is one of the 24 sacred Ekadashi observed each year in devotion to Lord Vishnu. This specific Ekadashi is said to clear the sins of the devotees and provide them with moksha (liberation). It is said that fasting on this day, showing devotion and following the rituals sincerely brings tremendous spiritual benefits.
Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Story)
The importance of Yogini Ekadashi is brought into focus in the ancient texts by the legend of Hemamali, a heavenly gardener in the palace of Lord Kubera. Hemamali was remiss in his duties and did not say daily prayers to Lord Shiva, and as a result, a curse turned him into a leper. Desperate to be fix, he was instructed by sage Markandeya to see the Yogini Ekadashi fast. By faithfully adhering to the fast and performing the rituals involved with it, Hemamali was freed from his curse and transformed back into his divine form.
Significance and Importance of Yogini Ekadashi
Yogini Ekadashi is extremely significant in Hinduism for a variety of reasons:
- Spiritual Purification: Fasting is said to purify the soul of sin and bad karma.
- Health Gains: Fasting and eating satvik (pure) food may cause body detoxification and better health.
- Door to Moksha: Devotees believe that observing Yogini Ekadashi with true devotion can lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
- Realization of Desires: Doing daan (charity) and devotional worship on this day is believed to accomplish one’s righteous desires.
Yogini Ekadashi Fasting Rituals
Preparation: One satvik meal is eaten before sunset (the eve of Ekadashi) in preparation for the fast.
Fasting: On Ekadashi, strict fasting is practiced, avoiding grains, pulses, and some vegetables. Path to Moksha: Devotees believe that faithfully observing Yogini Ekadashi can free one from the cycle of birth and death
Believers can pray, chant Vishnu Sahasranama, and read the Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Katha.
Yogini Ekadashi Parana (Fast-Breaking)
The fast is broken during the Parana time on the devotional day (Dwadashi). For 2025, the Parana time is on Monday, June 23, between 05:24 AM and 10:03 AM. It is extremely necessary to break the fast within this time frame so that one can reap the greatest spiritual advantages of the observance.
ISKCON’s Practice of Yogini Ekadashi
Yogini Ekadashi is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm at ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temples around the world:
- Special Pujas: Grand rituals and offerings are made to Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu.
- Kirtans and Bhajans: Devotees chant हरि नाम संकीर्तन all the day.
- Discourses: Spiritual lectures and readings of holy books are organized to inform devotees about the significance of the day.
- Prasadam Distribution: After breaking the fast, blessed food (prasadam) is distributed to the devotees.
Daan (Charity) on Yogini Ekadashi
Charitable deeds done on Yogini Ekadashi are said to reap multidimensional spiritual gains:
- Feeding the Poor: Feeding the poor is regarded as most meritorious.
- Donations: Donating to the education, temple and/or welfare organization of your choice fulfills the essence of the day.
- Sponsoring ISKCON Activities: Sponsoring ISKCON’s activities helps spread spiritual knowledge and realize community service.
Yogini Ekadashi Aarti
- Morning and Evening Aarti: People perform the Aarti, which is to burn incense and lamps while singing songs of devotion and offering flowers to deities.
- Bhajans & Kirtans: Singing religious songs creates a spiritual ambience. Singing हरि नाम संकीर्तन with their connection to the origin of true divine.
- Temple Aarti: Going to a nearby temple, especially ISKCON templeic and, encompassing Aarti will create the ability to participate in group worship, which is higher blessing.
Conclusion
Yogini Ekadashi is a spiritually enriching festival initiating an opportunity for inner cleansing, devotion and liberation. There is no better way for you to fast on this divine day with purity of intention, along with prayer, equity in action, and devotional activity that could only positively impact you spiritually along with the divine blessing.
With Yogini Ekadashi 2025 fast approaching on June 22nd let us start to prepare to enjoy the celebration for devotion to this divine day with faith and sincerity. Pray to Lord Vishnu for a peaceful, prosperous, and spiritually gratifying life.
Jun 3, 2025 
