2025 Devutthana Ekadashi

Devutthana Ekadashi - Rituals And Significance

Devutthana Ekadashi or Prabodhini Ekadashi is considered as one of the most significant Ekadashi in the Hindu culture. It is observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) in the Kartik month during the Shukla Paksha. The day marks the conclusion of the Chaturmas which is a phase of four months when Lord Vishnu is believed to sleep.

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

It is believed that, during the period of these four months, no auspicious task is performed by the individuals. And only after Lord Vishnu wakes up, all the auspicious and religious tasks can take place.

See Also: Ekadashi Mata Aarti

What are the rituals of Devutthana Ekadashi?

One of the most significant rituals performed on the day of Devutthana Ekadashi is Tulsi Vivah.

• On the eve of Devutthana Ekadashi, devotees offer prayers and worship Lord Vishnu in order to invoke and wake him.
• The devotees vow for the Ekadashi fast in the early morning and recite the name of Lord Vishnu
• People clean the house, take a holy bath and then draw the feet of Lord Vishnu
• A picture or idol of Lord Vishnu is placed in an Okhli (Pounder) and is filled with sugarcane, water chestnut (singhara), jujube, sweets and fruits and then the same is covered with a lid.
• On this particular day, devotees light earthen lamps in the homes as well as in the temples.
• All the members of the family are required to worship various deities along with Lord Vishnu during the night time. By blowing conch (Shankh) and ringing bells, devotees try to wake up Lord Vishnu.
• The devotees chant Mantra while invoking the deity:

Utho Deva, Batho Deva, Anguria Chatkao Deva, Nayi Soot, Nayi Kapas, Deva Uthaye Kartik Masa

Tulsi Vivah and Devutthana Ekadashi

On the eve of Prabodhini Ekadashi, there is a ritual to perform Tulsi Vivah. Tulsi Vivah takes place between God Shaligram (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Tulsi (sacred plant). Tulsi is also revered as ‘Vishnu Priya’. According to the legends and Hindu scriptures, the couples who do not have a daughter or a girl child must perform the ritual of Tulsi Vivah once in their lifetime to earn the virtue of Kanyadaan.

What is the story of Devutthana Ekadashi

Once Goddess Lakshmi told Lord Vishnu: “O Lord! Your uncertain sleeping and awakening time disturbs the whole world. Sometimes you sleep for years and sometimes you are awake for day and night. Because of this everything on earth is getting disturbed. It also takes away my relaxation as I don't get any time to relax. So, I request that you must sleep in a timely manner”.

Lord Vishnu smiled and told the Goddess that now I will sleep for a period of four months, so that during that time period. According to the beliefs, it is said that the devotees who offer prayers and worship Lord Vishnu with utmost dedication and zeal during the time of Lord Vishnu’s awakening and sleeping are bestowed with the divine blessings of the deity and also Lord Vishnu resides in their houses.

Ekadashi Fasting Days

Apart from Devutthana Ekadashi, there are 23 Ekadashi Vrat in a year that fall on Krishna and Shukla Paksha of Hindu Calendar. All these Ekadashi tithi are very significant in Hindu traditions and are popular with various Ekadashi names. Here is the list of Ekadashi Vrat observed throughout the year.