Devshayani Ekadashi 2024- A Festival Of Attaining Salvation

Devshayani Ekadashi is considered one of the auspicious Ekadashi for Hindus. Observed in Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha, June/July, as per the Hindu calendar, this year Devshayani Ekadashi will be celebrated on 17th July 2024, Wednesday.

It is said that on this day lord Vishnu goes into a yogic sleep for four months. Hindus celebrate many major festivals after this Ekadashi tithi, but marriages, engagements and some other events are not celebrated.

Across India, Devshayani Ekadashi is known by different names and there are different ways of celebrating it.

On this auspicious day, devotees follow several rituals, observe a strict diet and also offer flowers, dry fruits, and garlands to the idol of lord Vishnu. Devotees who observe Devshayani Ekadashi are freed from the cycle of birth and death and attain salvation.

According to the Hindu calendar, there are two fortnights in a month. The first falls in Shukla Paksha, and the second in Krishna Paksha. Ekadashi, or the eleventh day, which falls in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha (June-July), is known as Devshayani Ekadashi.

This year Devshayani Ekadashi will be celebrated on 17th July 2024, Wednesday.

Dev refers to God, and Shayani refers to the resting place. On the other hand, Ekadashi is a Sanskrit word that means "eleventh". Devshayani Ekadashi is also known as Padma Ekadashi, Hari Shayani, Maha Ekadashi, Devpodhi Ekadashi, Ashadhi Ekadashi and Toli Ekadashi.

Devshayani Ekadashi is considered an auspicious day for Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, on this day, Lord Vishnu, along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi goes into yogic sleep, called yoga-Nidra, for four months on the coiled body of his serpent, Sheshnag (snake) in Kshirsagar of the cosmic ocean.

On the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu wakes up, and in the meantime, Lord Shiva takes care of the entire universe.

The moment of Ekadashi tithi starts, the sacred chaturmas moths Shravan (August-September), Bhadrapad (September-October), Ashwin (October-November) and Kartik (November-December) begin.

During these four months, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shravan Somwar Vrat, Navratri and Diwali are celebrated. On the other hand, no auspicious functions like marriage, engagement, naming ceremony etc., are celebrated during these four months.

On this precious day, devotees start their day with a holy bath and then emplace the idol of Lord Vishnu. Devotees wear clean and new clothes on this day.

After emplacing, the idol of Lord Vishnu is given a holy bath and decorated the idol with Shankh (shell), Chakra (Lord Vishnu's weapon), Gadha, flowers and yellow clothes.

Some also take a holy dip in the Godavari river and worship Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees follow a strict Devshayani Ekadashi fasting procedure on this day and can break their fast only during Dwadashi Tithi after performing Parana.

They can consume satvik food like fried potatoes, fruits and dairy products once a day only after offering Bhog Prasad to Lord Vishnu. People offer flowers, incense sticks, dry fruits and many other things to the deity. It is said that people should do charity or feed the needy people.

Devshayani Ekadashi is an auspicious festival for the Hindus and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour across India. On this day in Maharashtra, the annual Pandharpur or holy pilgrimage to the Pandharpur temple is completed.

Devshayani Ekadashi is an auspicious festival for Hindus, where on this day, Lord Vishnu begins his rest for four months, known as Yoga-Nidra. On the Devshayani Ekadashi, people take a holy bath in the Godavari river and worship lord Rama.

Along with this, the idol of Lord Vishnu is emplaced after giving a holy bath, and then the idol is also decorated with mango leaves, flowers and many other things. People follow a strict fast and also offer many things to the deity. On this day Lord Vishnu blesses everyone with peace, happiness and prosperity.

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