Yogini Ekadashi 2026 falls on Friday, July 10, 2026. This is the Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha in the Ashadha month. The Yogini Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:16 AM on July 10 and ends at 5:22 AM on July 11. Devotees keep a day-long fast and worship Lord Vishnu. The Yogini Ekadashi parana time falls the next day, July 11, between 1:59 PM and 4:37 PM. This Ekadashi comes right after Nirjala Ekadashi and just before Devshayani Ekadashi, which starts Chaturmas.
Yogini Ekadashi is often remembered for the story of Hemamali, but its deeper message goes beyond a single legend. It reminds us that devotion is not just about rituals. It is about discipline, responsibility, and the willingness to correct our mistakes with sincerity.
If you plan to observe Yogini Ekadashi 2026, prepare for it with understanding rather than routine. Follow the vrat according to your health, perform the puja with genuine faith, and let the teachings of this sacred day inspire positive changes long after the fast is over.
What Is Yogini Ekadashi 2026?
Yogini Ekadashi is a fasting day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It falls on the eleventh lunar day, or tithi, of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashadha. This usually lands in June or July. It is also called Ashadha-Krishna Ekadashi. Scriptures describe it as one of the most powerful Ekadashis for curing illness and clearing past sins.
The word “Ekadashi” simply means the eleventh day. It falls twice every lunar month, once in the waxing phase and once in the waning phase. Yogini Ekadashi belongs to the waning, or Krishna Paksha, half. It is described in the Padma Purana and the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana.
Both texts link this day to relief from suffering, especially skin ailments, and to the removal of accumulated sin. Many devotees see it as a reset day. It marks a chance to step back from bad habits and return to a more disciplined, mindful life.
Yogini Ekadashi 2026 Date and Tithi Timings
Yogini Ekadashi date 2026 is Friday, July 10, 2026. The Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:16 AM on July 10 and runs until 5:22 AM on July 11. Hindu tradition follows the Udaya Tithi rule, meaning the tithi active at sunrise decides the fasting day. Since Ekadashi is active at sunrise on July 10, that is the correct day to fast.
| Event | 2026 Timing |
| Ekadashi Tithi begins | 8:16 AM, July 10 |
| Yogini Ekadashi fasting day | Friday, July 10 |
| Ekadashi Tithi ends | 5:22 AM, July 11 |
| Parana (fast-breaking) window | 1:59 PM to 4:37 PM, July 11 |
| Previous major Ekadashi | Nirjala Ekadashi, June 2026 |
| Next major Ekadashi | Devshayani Ekadashi, July 25, 2026 |
Important Note: Timings follow the Hindu Panchang calculated for New Delhi (IST). Parana windows shift slightly by location, so check a local Panchang for your city closer to the date.
Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Katha in English: The Story of Hemamali
The Yogini Ekadashi story comes from the Padma Purana. King Yudhishthira asks Lord Krishna about this fast. Krishna tells him about Hemamali, a gardener who served Kubera, the god of wealth. Hemamali neglects his duty and is cursed with leprosy. Sage Markandeya later tells him to observe Yogini Ekadashi. The fast cures him completely and reunites him with his wife.
| The Story: King Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, once asked Lord Krishna to describe the most powerful Ekadashi of the Ashadha month. Krishna called it Yogini Ekadashi and said it removes sin the way fire burns dry grass. He then told the story behind it. In the city of Alkapuri lived King Kubera, the lord of wealth and a devoted follower of Shiva. Every day, Kubera worshipped Shiva with fresh flowers brought from Mansarovar lake. This task belonged to his gardener, a Yaksha named Hemamali. Hemamali was married to a beautiful woman named Vishalakshi, and he loved her deeply. One day, Hemamali collected the flowers as usual but became lost in time with his wife. He forgot to deliver the flowers to Kubera before the appointed hour of worship. Kubera waited, and his anger grew with every passing minute. He sent his attendants to find out why Hemamali had failed him. When Kubera learned the real reason, he was furious. He cursed Hemamali to suffer from leprosy on earth, separated from his wife and his heavenly home. Hemamali fell from Alkapuri in terrible pain. He wandered through forests, sick and alone, until he reached the Himalayas. There, he met the sage Markandeya. The sage saw his suffering and asked him to explain his condition. Hemamali confessed his mistake. Markandeya then told him to observe the fast of Yogini Ekadashi with full faith and devotion. Hemamali followed every instruction with sincerity. By the grace of Lord Vishnu, the leprosy vanished. Hemamali’s body turned radiant and golden. He returned to Alkapuri, reunited with Vishalakshi, and resumed his service to Kubera, free of guilt and disease. Krishna ends the story by telling Yudhishthira that anyone who hears or reads this Yogini Ekadashi vrat katha earns the same merit as observing the fast itself. This is a common feature across Ekadashi stories in the Padma Purana. The tale is not just about punishment. It is about how sincere repentance and devotion can undo even a heavy curse. |
Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Katha in Hindi
| योगिनी एकादशी व्रत कथा (हिंदी में) धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर ने भगवान श्रीकृष्ण से पूछा, “हे प्रभु! आपने मुझे ज्येष्ठ शुक्ल पक्ष की निर्जला एकादशी का माहात्म्य बताया। अब कृपया आषाढ़ मास के कृष्ण पक्ष में आने वाली एकादशी के बारे में बताइए। इसका नाम क्या है और इस व्रत का क्या महत्व है?” भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने उत्तर दिया, “हे राजन! आषाढ़ कृष्ण पक्ष की इस एकादशी को योगिनी एकादशी कहा जाता है। यह व्रत समस्त पापों का नाश करने वाला माना गया है। जो श्रद्धापूर्वक इसका पालन करता है, उसे इस लोक में सुख और अंत में मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है। अब मैं तुम्हें इस एकादशी से जुड़ी एक पवित्र कथा सुनाता हूँ, जिसे ध्यानपूर्वक सुनो।” प्राचीन समय में स्वर्गलोक की अलकापुरी नगरी में धन के देवता कुबेर का राज्य था। वे भगवान शिव के परम भक्त थे और प्रतिदिन उनकी विधि-विधान से पूजा करते थे। उनकी पूजा के लिए हेममाली नाम का एक यक्ष प्रतिदिन मानसरोवर से ताजे पुष्प लाकर अर्पित करता था। हेममाली की पत्नी का नाम विशालाक्षी था, जिससे वह अत्यंत प्रेम करता था। एक दिन हेममाली मानसरोवर से पुष्प तो ले आया, लेकिन अपनी पत्नी के प्रेम में इतना लीन हो गया कि समय पर भगवान शिव की पूजा के लिए पुष्प पहुँचाना भूल गया। उधर कुबेर पूजा के समय उसकी प्रतीक्षा करते रहे। जब दोपहर तक भी हेममाली नहीं पहुँचा, तो उन्होंने अपने सेवकों को उसके पास भेजा। सेवकों ने लौटकर बताया कि हेममाली अपनी पत्नी के साथ हास-परिहास और रमण में मग्न है। यह सुनकर कुबेर अत्यंत क्रोधित हो गए और तुरंत उसे अपने सामने उपस्थित होने का आदेश दिया। भय से काँपते हुए हेममाली उनके सामने पहुँचा। क्रोधित होकर कुबेर ने कहा, “हे दुष्ट! तूने अपने सांसारिक मोह के कारण भगवान शिव की सेवा में लापरवाही की है। यह उनके प्रति अनादर है। इसलिए मैं तुझे शाप देता हूँ कि तू अपनी पत्नी से वियोग सहन करेगा और मृत्युलोक में कोढ़ के रोग से पीड़ित होकर जीवन व्यतीत करेगा।” कुबेर के शाप का प्रभाव तत्काल हुआ। हेममाली स्वर्ग से पृथ्वी पर आ गिरा और उसके शरीर में श्वेत कुष्ठ रोग उत्पन्न हो गया। उसी क्षण उसकी पत्नी भी उससे बिछड़ गई। वह जंगलों में भटकता रहा, भूख-प्यास और असहनीय पीड़ा सहता रहा। रातों को उसे नींद भी नहीं आती थी। फिर भी भगवान शिव की पूर्व भक्ति के प्रभाव से उसे अपने कर्मों और उनके परिणाम का स्मरण बना रहा। एक दिन भटकते-भटकते वह महान तपस्वी महर्षि मार्कण्डेय के आश्रम पहुँचा। उनका तेज और तप ऐसा था कि उनका आश्रम किसी दिव्य सभा के समान प्रतीत होता था। हेममाली ने उनके चरणों में गिरकर अपनी दयनीय अवस्था का कारण बताया। महर्षि मार्कण्डेय ने करुणा से कहा, “तुमने अपने अपराध को बिना किसी छल के स्वीकार किया है। इसलिए मैं तुम्हें एक ऐसा उपाय बताता हूँ जिससे तुम्हारा कल्याण हो सकता है। यदि तुम आषाढ़ मास के कृष्ण पक्ष की योगिनी एकादशी का व्रत पूर्ण श्रद्धा और विधिपूर्वक करोगे, तो तुम्हारे सभी पाप नष्ट हो जाएँगे।” ऋषि के वचन सुनकर हेममाली ने उन्हें साष्टांग प्रणाम किया और बताए गए नियमों के अनुसार योगिनी एकादशी का व्रत किया। भगवान विष्णु की कृपा और व्रत के प्रभाव से उसका कुष्ठ रोग समाप्त हो गया, उसे अपना दिव्य स्वरूप पुनः प्राप्त हुआ और वह अपनी पत्नी विशालाक्षी के साथ सुखपूर्वक रहने लगा। कथा के अंत में भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर से कहा, “हे राजन! योगिनी एकादशी का व्रत करने से मनुष्य को ऐसा पुण्य प्राप्त होता है, मानो उसने अट्ठासी हजार ब्राह्मणों को भोजन कराया हो। यह व्रत पापों का नाश करने वाला, जीवन को पवित्र बनाने वाला और अंततः उत्तम लोकों की प्राप्ति कराने वाला माना गया है।” |
Yogini Ekadashi Significance
The Yogini Ekadashi significance lies in its power to heal and purify. Brahma-Vaivarta Purana says it cures physical suffering, especially skin disease, and removes sins that cause such suffering. It also marks a quiet turning point in the Ekadashi calendar, coming right before the sacred four-month period called Chaturmas begins.
Hemamali’s punishment was a physical illness caused by neglecting his duty. His cure did not come from medicine. It came from disciplined fasting and sincere devotion. This is central to why devotees still observe Yogini Ekadashi today.
The fast is treated as both a spiritual practice and a symbolic path to better health. The Brahma-Vaivarta Purana states that observing this Ekadashi carries the same merit as feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins. That comparison is not meant literally. It signals that this is one of the most rewarding fasting days of the entire lunar year.
A note on where this fits in the calendar: Yogini Ekadashi arrives soon after the demanding Nirjala Ekadashi in Jyeshtha month. It comes two weeks before Devshayani Ekadashi, which starts Chaturmas, the period when Lord Vishnu is said to enter cosmic sleep. Because of this placement, many devotees treat Yogini Ekadashi as a final act of discipline before the Chaturmas fasting season begins.
Step-by-Step Yogini Ekadashi 2026 Puja Vidhi
Yogini Ekadashi puja vidhi follows the same core order as other Ekadashi fasts. It starts with an early bath and a vow on Dashami night. On Ekadashi morning, devotees worship Lord Vishnu with yellow flowers and offerings, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, and stay alert through the night before breaking the fast the next day.
1. Prepare the Night Before (Dashami)
On the evening of Dashami, eat a simple, light meal before sunset. Avoid heavy or spicy food. Many devotees also sleep on the floor this night as a mark of discipline before the fast begins.
2. Wake During Brahma Muhurta
Rise before sunrise, during the pre-dawn Brahma Muhurta. Bathe with clean water, often mixed with sesame seeds or Kusha grass. This bath marks the formal start of the fasting day.
3. Take the Sankalpa
Sit facing Lord Vishnu and take a Sankalpa, a firm vow, to observe the Yogini Ekadashi fast with full devotion and to follow its rules through the day and night.
4. Set Up the Puja and Offer Worship
Place an idol or image of Lord Vishnu, along with Goddess Lakshmi, at the altar. Offer a lamp, incense, yellow flowers, and yellow-colored food as bhog. Light a ghee lamp and perform arati.
5. Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and Listen to the Katha
Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or chant the Vasudeva mantra. Listening to or reading the Yogini Ekadashi vrat katha on this day is considered especially meritorious.
6. Keep Jagaran Through the Night
Stay awake through the night, singing bhajans and kirtans in praise of Vishnu. Tradition holds that falling asleep during this night leaves the vrat incomplete.
7. Break the Fast at Parana Time
End the fast the next morning within the correct parana window. Donate food, clothes, or money to those in need before or after breaking the fast, according to your means.
Yogini Ekadashi Fasting Rules
Yogini Ekadashi 2026 fasting rules ask devotees to avoid grains, rice, and salt-heavy food. Fasting can be Nirjala (without water), Jalahar (with only water), or Phalahar (with fruits), depending on personal strength. Devotees should also avoid anger, lying, and excess talk, and keep their focus on prayer and reflection.
- Avoid all grains and cereals, including rice, wheat, and lentils.
- Do not use oil or eat salty, fried, or heavily spiced food.
- Choose a fasting level that suits your health: dry fast, water-only, or fruit-based.
- Avoid Tamasic food, meaning anything that induces heaviness or agitation.
- Refrain from anger, arguments, and harsh or excessive speech.
- Do not lie or engage in gossip through the day.
- Spend free time in prayer, meditation, or reading the vrat katha instead of idle activity.
- Break the fast only after sunrise the next day, within the correct parana window.
Yogini Ekadashi Parana Time
The Yogini Ekadashi parana time for 2026 is 1:59 PM to 4:37 PM on Saturday, July 11. Parana should always happen after sunrise on Dwadashi, never during Ekadashi itself. Devotees should also avoid breaking the fast during Hari Vasara, the fourth quarter of the Dwadashi tithi.
Getting the Yogini Ekadashi parana timing right matters as much as the fast itself. Breaking the fast too early, while the Ekadashi tithi still holds, is considered incomplete observance. Breaking it too late, during Hari Vasara, is also discouraged.
The safest and most auspicious window is Pratahkala, the early morning period on Dwadashi. If the exact Pratahkala window has passed by the time you wake, the afternoon window listed above remains valid and widely followed.
What are the Benefits of Observing Yogini Ekadashi 2026?
Yogini Ekadashi benefits include relief from skin ailments, removal of past sins, and steady progress toward good health and inner peace. The Brahma-Vaivarta Purana states that its merit equals feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins, making it one of the most rewarding fasts in the Hindu calendar.
- Health restoration: Traditionally linked to relief from skin disorders, drawing directly from Hemamali’s cure from leprosy.
- Sin removal: Believed to absolve sins that lead to suffering, illness, or misfortune.
- Spiritual merit: Said to carry merit equal to feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins, according to the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana.
- Mental discipline: The combination of fasting, silence, and night-long devotion builds self-control and focus.
- Path to Moksha: Like other Ekadashi fasts, it is considered a step toward liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Where Yogini Ekadashi Falls in the Ekadashi Calendar?
Yogini Ekadashi sits between two major fasts. It follows Nirjala Ekadashi, the most demanding Ekadashi of the year, observed in Jyeshtha month. It comes two weeks before Devshayani Ekadashi on July 25, 2026, which opens the four-month Chaturmas period.
| Ekadashi | 2026 Date | Position |
| Nirjala Ekadashi | June 2026 | Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha, before Yogini Ekadashi |
| Yogini Ekadashi | July 10 | Ashadha Krishna Paksha |
| Devshayani Ekadashi | July 25 | Ashadha Shukla Paksha, marks start of Chaturmas |
This placement gives Yogini Ekadashi a quiet but important role. It is the last Krishna Paksha Ekadashi devotees observe before Chaturmas begins. Many treat it as final preparation, a chance to clear old patterns before entering the more intense fasting months ahead.
Conclusion
Yogini Ekadashi is not remembered simply because it appears on the Hindu calendar. It is remembered because of the timeless lesson it carries. The story of Hemamali reminds us that every action has consequences, but sincere repentance, unwavering faith, and disciplined living can transform even the darkest moments into a new beginning.
If you plan to observe Yogini Ekadashi 2026, let this day be more than a ritual. Understand its significance, follow the vrat vidhi, listen to the Yogini Ekadashi vrat katha, and observe the fast with devotion and awareness. After all, the greatest purpose of every Ekadashi is not just to change a single day, but to inspire a better way of living.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yogini Ekadashi
Yogini Ekadashi 2026 falls on Friday, July 10. The Ekadashi tithi begins at 8:16 AM on July 10 and ends at 5:22 AM on July 11.
The parana window is 1:59 PM to 4:37 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Always break the fast after sunrise, within Dwadashi tithi.
It is the story of Hemamali, a gardener cursed with leprosy by King Kubera for neglecting his duty. Sage Markandeya advised him to observe Yogini Ekadashi, and the fast cured him completely.
It is believed to cure skin ailments, remove past sins, and bring spiritual merit equal to feeding eighty-eight thousand Brahmins. It also supports discipline and progress toward Moksha.
Yes, if you are not observing a strict Nirjala fast. You may follow a Jalahar fast with only water, or a Phalahar fast with fruits, milk, and nuts, based on your health and capacity.
Avoid all grains, rice, lentils, and salty or oily food. Choose a fasting style, dry, water-only, or fruit-based, and stay with it for the full day.
Nirjala Ekadashi comes before it in June, and Devshayani Ekadashi follows on July 25, marking the start of Chaturmas.
In most years the dates align, but some Panchang calculations list a separate Vaishnava observance a day later. Check your local Panchang or family tradition to confirm.
Try to break the fast within the given Dwadashi window and avoid Hari Vasara, its fourth quarter. If the morning window has passed, the afternoon window remains valid.
The link comes directly from the vrat katha in the Padma Purana, where Hemamali is cured of leprosy after observing this fast with full devotion. Later texts, including the Brahma-Vaivarta Purana, carried this association forward as one of its core benefits.
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