Yogini Ekadasi occurs on the bright fortnight of the tamil month
Aadi (Jul-Aug).
Lord Kubera had an assistant named Hemanathan. His duty was to bring flowers daily for Shiva pooja. One day Hemanathan was enjoying with his wife Vimalatha and did not bring the flowers to Kubera for the pooja. Kubera after starting the pooja realised that there were no flowers. He got very furious and cursed Hemanathan that he be affected by eighteen types of leprosy. Since Hemanathan was in divine service all these years, Kubera's curse didn’t affect him fully.
The affected Hemanathan started going towards Mount Meru to find a cure. On his way he met Markandeya Muni who was in penance. Hemanathan explained everything to the Muni and asked for help. Markandeya Muni suggested that he should observe Yogini Ekadasi to be relieved of his disease. Hemanathan did so and was relieved from his disease.
Ekadasi Index