Devutthana Ekadashi: An Auspicious Day in the Hindu Culture

Devutthana Ekadashi 2023 Dates and Timings

• Devutthana Ekadashi: 23 November 2023
• Parana Time: 06:18 to 08:38 (24 November 2023)
• On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment: 19:06
• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: November 22, 2023 at 23:03
• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: November 23, 2023 at 21:01

Importance of Prabodhani Ekadashi

Prabodhini Ekadashi was firstly narrated by Lord Brahma to Narada. This narration is well explained in the ‘Skanda Purana’.

However, this Ekadashi holds great significance for Hindus as it marks the beginning of auspicious ceremonies like marriages, Grah Pravesh, and so on.

Also, by performing Vishnu Puja on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, the devotees can attain salvation or ‘moksha’ and go straight away to ‘Vaikunth’ after death, according to the belief.

Mythological Story Behind Dev Uthani Ekadashi

The Ekadashi marks the conclusion of the Chaturmas (four months of monsoon). Also, the phase of four months before Dev Uthani Ekadashi is the period when Lord Vishnu is sleeping as per the belief.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu sleeps on the eve of Shayani Ekadashi in the Ashada month during Shukla Paksha. He then directly wakes up on the eve of Devutthana Ekadashi.

According to the belief, during these four months, avoid all auspicious and religious tasks. Also, you can perform them only after Lord Vishnu wakes up from the Maha-Nindra. What a fantastic belief it is! So, wanna know the legend behind this belief. For all those who are curious to know, let’s read out the mythological story behind this belief.

Once, Lakshmiji said to Lord Vishnu in the sense of solicitation – O God! You wake up day and night, but once you sleep, you go to sleep for millions of years, and at that time, you destroy all the pastures, so you rest from the rule. I will also give you some time to get rest by doing this. God agreed to Laxmiji and said that you are right. My waking hurts all the gods and especially you.

You do not get time from my service, so from today onwards, I will sleep for four months, the period of the rainy season. This sleep of mine will be called Hypnosis and Holocaust Maha-Nindra.

This sleeplessness will be the ultimate blessing for my devotees. During this time, all the devotees serving me with the feeling of sleeping will experience my presence in their homes.

Devauthani Ekadashi Fast Story

As mentioned in Devutthana Ekadashi vrat Katha, once upon a time, there was a king. In his kingdom, everyone used to observe Ekadashi fast. On the day of Ekadashi, there was no serving of food to anyone in the entire state.

One day a man came to the king’s court for the purpose of seeking a job. After hearing his words, the king said that he would get a job, but food will not be given on the day of Ekadashi. In the joy of getting a job, the person agreed to the king.

After some days, Ekadashi arrived, and everybody started fasting. He went to the king to ask for food. He told the king that fruits are not enough for his hunger, and he would die without enough food. So, he needs food to survive. At this, the king repeated his condition of fasting on Ekadashi.

The person again said that he would die of hunger without food. So, the king offered him flour, lentils, rice for food. After receiving it, he took a bath and made food on the river bank. He gave an invitation to God after preparation. Lord Vishnu was appeased and came there to have food. After the meal, he got involved in his work.

In the next Ekadashi, he asked for more grain. Out of surprise, the king asked why you need more grains. He replied that God had food with him as he was hungry. So, the quantity of grains offered did not feel their tummies. The baffled king did not believe his words. This is why he took the king with him.

After reaching home, he bathed and prepared food. Also, he offered an invitation to God. But this time, God did not come. He waited for God till evening.

The king hiding behind the tree was watching everything. Finally, he said, oh God, if you do not come to eat, I will jump into the river and give my life. Still, God did not arrive, so he started going towards that river. The moment he reached there, God appeared. Both had food together, and he sought blessings from God. After that, he went to his home with the Lord.

On seeing this, the king realised that God does not need the boast of devotion, but a true feeling is enough to appease them. After this, the king also started fasting on Ekadashi with a sincere heart. He, too, attained heaven at the last moment.

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Rituals during Prabodhini Ekadashi:

• On Prabodhini Ekadashi, devotees take a bath in holy rivers or water bodies.
• The devotees observing this vrat get up before sunrise. They take a bath and spend the whole day with no food and water.
• The observer of the vrat visits Lord Vishnu’s temples in the evening and participates in the puja rituals held there.
• On the day of Dev Utthana Ekadashi, a picture of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the place of worship.
• Lord Vishnu is worshipped with fruits and vegetables. Devotees also draw the pictures of God in a Pounder (Okhli) and fill it with fruits, sweets, Jujube, Water Chestnut (Singhara), seasonal fruit and Sugarcane. After that, cover it with a lid.
• For waking Lord Vishnu from his slumber, children make lots of noises and light mustard torches during the night. Devotees then sing bhakti songs or bhajans and pray to their lord to get up from his sleep and shower blessings on all.
• After that, devotees also blow the Shankha while repeating these words: “Utho Deva, Batho Deva, Aanguria Chatkao Deva, Nayi Soot, Nayi Kapas, Deva Uthaye Kartik Masa”.
• You can also recite Devutthana Ekadashi Mantra to awaken Lord Vishnu.

‘Uttishtha Govinda Tyaaj Nidran Jagatpataye.
‘Utthite Cheshtate Sarvamuttishtottishtha Madhav.
‘Shardani Cha Pushpani Grihan Mum Keshav.’

Tulsi Vivah on Devutthana Ekadashi

On this day, devotees perform the auspicious Tulsi Vivaah ceremony. The ‘Chaturmas’ period – when Lord Vishnu is in his cosmic sleep, also comes to an end with Prabodhini Ekadashi.

As mentioned in Devutthana Ekadashi Katha, Lord Vishnu goes off to sleep on Shayani Ekadashi and wakes up on Prabodhini Ekadashi.

The marriage ceremony between God Shaligram (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Tulsi (sacred plant) takes place, popularly known as Tulsi Vivaah. Also, Tulsi is admired as ‘Vishnu Priya’.

According to the legendary stories and Hindu scriptures, couples without a girl child should perform the ritual of Tulsi Vivah once in their lifetime. This helps to earn the virtue of Kanyadaan.

Significance of Pushkar Mela on Dev Uthani Ekadashi

Every year on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, the Pushkar Fair or Pushkar Mela is commenced in Pushkar, Rajasthan. However, the fair continues until Kartik Poornima (The Full Moon Day of Hindu Calendar Month, Kartik). In this fair, devotees the honour of god Brahma, whose temple is based at Pushkar.

During the five days of the Pushkar fair starting from Ekadashi, a ritual in the Pushkar lake is considered very pure and leads one to salvation. Sadhus gather here and stay from Ekadashi till full moon day in caves.

Sugarcane harvest

Prabodhini Ekadashi also marks the beginning of sugarcane harvest. The farmer performs a puja in the field and ceremoniously cuts some sugarcane, laying some at the boundary of the field and distributing five canes to a Brahmin (priest), blacksmith, carpenter, washer-man and water-carrier and taking five canes at home.

At home, figures of Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi are drawn on a wooden board with cow dung and butter. The sugarcane is tied together at the top and placed around the board. Some cotton, betel-nut, lentils and sweets are offered along with a yagna (fire sacrifice).

A Prabhatiya, or song urging the god to wake, is sung. The canes are then broken and hung off the roof till Holi when they are burnt.

Prabodhini Ekadashi in Swaminarayan Religion

Prabodhini Ekadashi is considered an important Ekadashi in the Swaminarayan sect. The day commemorates the Diksha, or religious initiation, of Swaminarayan by his guru Ramanand Swami.

Also, the day commemorated the passing of authority by Ramanand Swami to Swaminarayan on November 16, 1801. Therefore, Swaminarayan followers observe a waterless fast and offer fresh vegetables to the deities.