Hindu Festival Ashadi Ekadashi
Ashadi Ekadashi
Rituals & Traditions of Ashadi Ekadashi
Ashadi Ekadashi, also called Devshayani or Shayani Ekadashi, is an important Hindu festival observed on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha (June–July). On this sacred day, Lord Vishnu is believed to enter Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep) on the serpent Shesha in the Kshir Sagar. This marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month holy period dedicated to penance, devotion, and religious austerities, which continues until Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartik month.
Devotees celebrate Ashadi Ekadashi with great faith by observing fasts, chanting prayers, and singing bhajans in honor of Lord Vishnu. The fast is considered to purify the soul, remove past sins, and bring spiritual upliftment.
In Maharashtra, the festival is most famous for its association with Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur. Lakhs of devotees, known as Warkaris, undertake the grand Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage, walking for days while carrying the palkhis (palanquins) of revered saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar. They sing devotional abhangas and perform kirtans throughout the journey, filling the atmosphere with divine energy.
Ashadi Ekadashi is thus not just a religious fast but also a celebration of devotion, discipline, and unity. It inspires devotees to surrender to the will of God and seek blessings for peace, prosperity, and liberation.
Spiritual Importance & Cultural Significance
Ashadi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi, is one of the most sacred observances in Hinduism. It falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadha (June–July). According to Hindu belief, on this day Lord Vishnu goes into Yoga Nidra (divine sleep) on the cosmic serpent Shesha in the Kshir Sagar (ocean of milk). His slumber continues for four months, until Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Kartik. This period, known as Chaturmas, is considered highly auspicious for penance, fasting, devotion, and spiritual practices.
Ashadi Ekadashi holds immense religious and cultural significance. Devotees observe strict fasts, chant Vishnu Sahasranama, recite scriptures, and engage in kirtans and bhajans in praise of Lord Vishnu. The fast is believed to wash away sins, bring prosperity, and help the devotee progress toward liberation (moksha).
In Maharashtra, Ashadi Ekadashi is deeply connected with the worship of Lord Vithoba, a form of Vishnu, at Pandharpur. The highlight of the celebration is the Pandharpur Wari, a grand pilgrimage in which lakhs of devotees, known as Warkaris, walk for days carrying the palkhis (palanquins) of revered saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar. Singing devotional abhangas and performing kirtans, they create an atmosphere filled with devotion, unity, and spiritual joy.
This festival is not only about fasting but also about strengthening faith, cultivating discipline, and surrendering to God’s will. Ashadi Ekadashi symbolizes the bond between devotees and the divine, reminding people to lead a life of purity, humility, and devotion. It brings together millions in a celebration of bhakti, making it one of the most important and vibrant festivals in the Hindu tradition.
Food & Sweets & Modern Celebrations
The observance of Ashadi Ekadashi is considered highly meritorious. Devotees undertake fasting, recite prayers, read scriptures like the Vishnu Sahasranama, and engage in devotional singing. It is believed that observing this Ekadashi brings spiritual purity, removes sins, and grants peace, prosperity, and the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
In Maharashtra, Ashadi Ekadashi is celebrated in a grand and unique way. It is deeply associated with Lord Vithoba (a form of Vishnu) at Pandharpur. Lakhs of devotees, popularly known as Warkaris, participate in the famous Pandharpur Wari, a remarkable pilgrimage that culminates at the Vithoba temple. Carrying the palkhis (palanquins) of revered saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar, the Warkaris walk for several days, singing abhangas (devotional hymns) and performing kirtans. The journey is not just a physical act but a spiritual offering, symbolizing humility, surrender, and devotion.
Ashadi Ekadashi is therefore not only a day of fasting but also a celebration of faith, unity, and collective devotion. It teaches devotees to live a life of purity, discipline, and love for God. By surrendering to Lord Vishnu’s will, devotees find strength, peace, and spiritual fulfillment. The atmosphere of Pandharpur during this festival is filled with divine energy, making Ashadi Ekadashi one of the most vibrant and spiritually uplifting occasions in the Hindu calendar.
