Jal Zilani Ekadashi

Jal Zilani Ekadashi is an important Hindu festival celebrated in most parts of North India. This festival is held during the Hindu month of Bhadrapad (August-September). On this day, devotees carry small idol of Lord Krishna and a clay idol of Lord Ganesh to the river or lake bank. The idols are worshipped amid a host of rites and rituals. Following the rites, the idols are taken on a boat across the river. Devotional songs are sung in honor of the deities. They are thanked for the rains and the resultant lakes and rivers. Following some special chants and rituals, the clay idol of Lord Ganesh is submerged into the water.

This particular ritual of taking the idols for a boat ride has a legend behind it. It is said that Lord Krishna had taken the Gopis (milk maids) across the Yamuna River for a ride. In return for the fare, he asked for yogurt. Hence it has been a tradition to gift yogurt to the near and dear ones. On this day, the devotees observe a waterless fast. Cucumber pieces and sweets are distributed among the devotees. Some part of these offerings is also sprinkled over the rivers and lakes for the fishes.

The day of Jal Zilani Ekadashi is also known as Parivartan Ekadashi. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had shifted from his usual sleeping position on this day. Hence the day is celebrated as Parivartan Ekadashi, where ‘parivartan’ means ‘change’.