Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to all observing the Harishayani Ekadashi festival today. Taking to his social media account, the Prime Minister wished that the festival may bring peace to the earth and in people’s lives.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Prime Minister highlighted the symbolic significance of Harishayani Ekadashi as a time for cleansing the soul and body and for maintaining environmental balance. Traditionally, the festival is marked by fasting, meditation, and limited food intake, practices that help promote inner peace.
The Harishayani Ekadashi falls on the Ashad Shukla Paksha or the 11th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Asar in the lunar calendar. It is considered an auspicious day for planting Tulasi (Basil plant), which holds great significance in both Ayurvedic medicine and Vedic tradition.
Today, Hindu devotees observed the festival by planting Tulsi saplings in their homes. The seeds are sown nearly a month ago in preparation for this ‘sacred’ day.