DevShayani Ekadasi

 

Event	Date & Time (IST)
Ekadashi Tithi Begins	July 5, 2025 – 6:58 PM
Ekadashi Tithi Ends	July 6, 2025 – 9:14 PM
Parana (Fast Breaking)	July 7, 2025 – 5:28 AM to 8:15 AM
Dwadashi Ends	July 7, 2025 – 11:10 PM

• Observed on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, it marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the four-month period of Lord Vishnu’s cosmic slumber.

Significance

• Devshayani means “God’s sleep.” On this day, Lord Vishnu is believed to enter Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep) on Sheshnag in the Kshira Sagar (Ocean of Milk).
• It initiates Chaturmas, a spiritually potent phase for penance, devotion, and self-restraint.
• Auspicious activities like marriages, housewarmings, or new ventures are avoided during this period.
• Spiritually, it symbolizes inner awakening while the divine rests.

Legends

1. King Mandhata’s Story

• A righteous king from the Ikshvaku dynasty faced a devastating drought.
• Sage Angira advised him to observe Devshayani Ekadashi with devotion.
• Upon doing so, rains returned, and prosperity was restored.

2. Vamana & King Bali

• Lord Vishnu, in his Vamana avatar, promised to stay with King Bali in Patal Lok during Chaturmas.
• This legend emphasizes divine presence even in the underworld when devotion is pure.

Rules & Rituals

Pre-Ekadashi (Dashami)

• Eat only satvik food (no onion, garlic, meat, or grains).
• Avoid salt and sleep on the floor to cultivate humility.

On Ekadashi

• Wake during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and take a sankalp (vow).
• Worship Lord Vishnu with:
• Tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, ghee lamp, incense
• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama, Bhagavad Gita, or Vishnu Gayatri
• Fasting types:
• Nirjala (no water)
• Phalahar (fruits/milk)
• Satvik meal once (for those unable to fast strictly)
• Avoid grains, pulses, tamasic foods, and negative speech.

On Dwadashi (Parana)

• Break the fast after Hari Vasara ends, ideally during Pratahkal.
• Offer food and charity to Brahmins and the needy.

Scriptural References

• Padma Purana: Fasting on this day destroys sins and grants moksha.
• Brahma Vaivarta Purana: Observing this fast fulfills all desires.
• Bhagavata Purana: Describes Lord Vishnu’s Yoga Nidra and the significance of Chaturmas.

Temple Visits & Celebrations

Prominent Temples

Temple	Region	Highlights
Vitthal Rukmini Temple	Pandharpur, Maharashtra	Culmination of Pandharpur Wari
Padmanabhaswamy Temple	Kerala	Vishnu Yoganidra rituals
Srirangam Ranganatha Temple	Tamil Nadu	Grand Vishnu pujas
Jagannath Temple	Puri, Odisha	Post-Rath Yatra observance
Badarinath Temple	Uttarakhand	Chaturmas rituals begin

Regional Observances

• Maharashtra: Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage ends on this day.
• Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Known as Tholi Ekadashi, seeds are sown symbolizing new beginnings.
• North India: Vishnu yajnas, satsangs, and bhajans in Vaishnav temples.