As the monsoon in India is already here and it does not only bring the rain and nice weather but a number of festival with it. The puja and vrat in this month is observed by millions in the country. The months of Ashadh and Sravana in the Hindu calendar, corresponding to mainly June and July, have a series of holy days, which are marked by devotees of Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Devshayani Ekadashi is also known as Padma Ekadashi or Ashadhi Ekadashi.
What is Devshayani Ekadashi?
The eleventh day in the fool moon quarter of Ashadh is observed as evshayani Ekadashi. According to mythology, on this day, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep or is in deep meditation and wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi. Devshyani Ekadashi comes close on the heels of Jagannath Rath Yatra mostly every year.
Significance of Devshayani Ekadashi
The puja assumes significance as Chaturmas or a holy period of four months in the Hindu calendar, starts on this day. The four months of Chaturmas, including Shravan, Bhadra, Ashwin and Kartik (corresponding to primarily July, August, September and October), marks all the key Hindu festivals like the Janmashthami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Durga Puja and Diwali.
On Devshayani Ekadashi many devotees fast and seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Devshayani Ekadashi: Time and date
Ekadashi Tithi begins: 7:49 PM on Jun 30
Ekadashi Tithi ends: 5:29 PM on July 1
Devotees keep a day-long fast on Ekadashi. Consumption of rice, wheat and lentils is strictly prohibited. Some devotees have a meal only once in the day time on the day before Ekadashi and break the vrat on Dwadashi Tithi.
The Devshayani Ekadashi is of great significance because the four most significant months of the Hindus, called the Chatur Maas begins. All the major festivals like Krishna Janmashthami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shravan Somwar Vrat, Navratri and Diwali is celebrated during this phase. The Chatur Maas includes the Shravan, Bhadrapada, Ashwin and Kartik months.
