Alleviation of all the sins, past and present. Improvement of health and healing of ailments On Dwadashi day, unless it happens to be another Vrat day, a nutritious meal is partaken to balance the internal physical effects of fasting on the previous day. Making daan / donation to the needy on Ekadashi day is believed to please Sri Maha Vishnu. Mostly prasadams and fruits are partaken. Those devotees who cannot do fasting due to medical or other reasons can take sattvic food. The fast shall continue till the sunrise of the next day, i.e., Dwadashi. At this time, tales of Sri Maha Vishnu are recited by the elders. They do not sleep on the night of Ekadashi. Devotees of Lord Maha Vishnu observe strict fasting from the dawn of Ekadashi. Prasad is distributed to the family members. The Vrat Katha is to be read and recited. Slokas or stotras of Sri Maha Vishnu including Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama are recited with devotion. The idol or picture of Sri Vishnu is decorated with flowers. Even daily Calendars provide the information.

It is mentioned in the Holy Almanac (Panchang) as well. The exact time of dawn of Ekadashi tithi is ascertained either from family elders / astrologers. The general rituals followed for Ekadashi Vrats are given below: Hem Mali had sincerely observed the Vrat and was instantly alleviated of his illness and sins. The Rishi advised him to observe Yogini Ekadashi Vrat. He prostrated before the Sage and requested for the redemption of his curse. On his wanderings, he sighted the ashram of Sage Markandeya. Hem Mali was down with leprosy and he had gone off to the forest. When he heard that Hem Mali had forgotten his duty, he cursed him to be afflicted with leprosy and be separated from his wife. The King had sent messengers to ascertain the cause of delay. Hem Mali was pre-occupied with his wife who was lovely. One day, though Hem Mali did receive flowers from Manasarovar, he failed to send the same to the King.

He used to obtain the flowers from Mana Sarovar. Hem Mali was the gardener who used to send flowers to the King for Shiv-Puja. He used to worship Sri Shiv with flowers daily. There was King named Kuber who was devout Shiv Bhakth.

He also told Dharma that this Vrat is the holiest of the Vrats observed in all the three worlds. It is believed that Lord Krishna had told Yudhishtra, the eldest of the Pandavas that observation of Yogini Ekadashi Vrat would result in alleviation and elimination of sins and grant of salvation or mukthi. There are a few legends pertaining to Yogini Ekadashi.

Sage markandeya