Dev Shayani Ekadashi (Ashadhi Ekadashi)

कथा

Dev Shayani Ekadashi marks the day Vishnu goes to sleep on the cosmic serpent Ananta in the milk ocean, beginning his four-month Chaturmas. During these four months, religious ceremonies are limited. In Maharashtra, this day marks the Ashadhi Wari — the great pilgrimage of the Varkari saints to Pandharpur. Millions walk hundreds of kilometres to reach Pandharpur and have darshan of Lord Vitthal (a form of Vishnu-Krishna). The Varkari tradition begun by Sant Dnyaneshwar and later Sant Tukaram makes this one of Maharashtra's most significant spiritual events.

विधि

• Fast on Ekadashi
• Worship Vishnu — offer tulsi leaves, yellow flowers, and sweets
• Recite Vishnu Sahasranama or Vishnu Stotras
• For Maharashtra Varkaris: join or witness the wari (pilgrimage march) to Pandharpur
• Observe the beginning of Chaturmas — increased austerity for the next 4 months
• Evening puja with Vishnu sleep ritual (symbolic — placing Vishnu idol on a bed)

मुख्य मंत्र

• ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
• विठ्ठल विठ्ठल विठ्ठल जय हरी विठ्ठल

भोग और पर्व भोजन

Fruits and milk (simple fasting food) · Sabudana khichdi (for Maharashtra)

क्षेत्रीय रूप

• · Maharashtra: Ashadhi Wari — millions walk in procession (dindi) to Pandharpur
• · Pandharpur: abhangs of Sant Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar are sung all night
• · Pan-India: marks beginning of Chaturmas restrictions — no major ceremonies

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