Yogeshwara Dwadashi

Yogeshwara Dwadasi, an auspicious day which falls in the month of Karthik is also known as Chiluka Dwadasi, Ksheerabdi Dwadasi or HariBodhini Dwadasi. It is celebrated on the twelfth day of Karthik month. Lord Vishnu sleeps on Ashada Sud Ekadashi, and after four months of cosmic sleep he wakes up, on Uthana Ekadasi which falls before the day of Ksheerabdi Dwadashi.

On this day Tulsi and Indian Gooseberry plants are worshipped. It is believed that on Yogeshwara Dwadashi, Lord Vishnu along with Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brahma visits Vrindavan. Hence, whoever perform puja for Lord Vishnu on this day with dedication will be blessed with good health, wealth and prosperous life. Lighting lamp is considered as an auspicious tradition in the month of Kartik. There is a significance to light lamps on Dwadasi, Chathurdasi and Pournami days of Kartik month. The lighting of lamps on these days gives infinite virtue. Worshiping the Tulsi plant on this day is a very pure, divine and beneficial deed.

During Ksheera Sagar Manthan (churning of milk ocean), many things emerged from the sea such as Kamadhenu (cow), Kalpa Vriksh, Iravatham (White elephant), and Amrutam (Nector). A woman also appeared from the ocean which was none other than Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Vishnu married Goddess Lakshmi on Yogeshwara Dwadashi day which makes it an auspicious day.

Lord Brahma had narrated about the two desire fulfilling penances to sage Narada. These penances are performed on Yogeshwara Dwadasi Vratam and Ksheerabdi Sayana Vrata. As per the legend behind Yogeshwara Dwadashi Vratam, Lord Vishnu vowed that on Kartik Shukla Dwadashi, after sunset, he, along with Goddess Lakshmi will emerge from the Ocean of Milk, and reside in Tulsi Pot along with all gods and sages. Anyone who visits Vrindavan performs puja and worships Goddess Laksmi, Tulsi, Lord Vishnu or read/listen to the glory of Tulsi and performs Deep-Daan on Yogeshwara Dwadashi will get rid of all sins and wrong doings. The ill luck will be ward off, and the person will attain the salvation. Hence to get your desires fulfilled, you should perform this Vratam.

On Ekadashi, the devotee must keep fast and recite Dwadasi Parayanam. Take a bath in the evening, clean the area of Tulsi pot, perform pooja with utmost dedication to the Lord. Devotees must offer Coconut, Jaggery, Dates, Sugarcane and Bananas as Prasadam along with Tamboolams, Neerajanam, and flower. Devotees read or listen to the effectiveness of Deep-daan, offer Deepa-Daan to a Brahmin along with sandalwood, flowers, and fruits. Married women perform Yogeshwara Dwadashi on this auspicious day which involves special offerings after the recital of Tulsi Ashtottaram and Yogeshwara Dwadashi Vrata Katha along with special deep-aaradhana or lighting of earthen lamps.