Ashadhi Ekadashi in India

Ashadhi Ekadashi is one of the most important religious festivals that is celebrated in Maharashtra. This ceremony is generally held at Pandharpur where a huge number of devotees gather to celebrate the festival. It is a religious procession festival which is held every year during the Aashaadh Shukla paksha. Generally Ekadashi is considered to be coming on each month of the year but the eleventh day of Ashadh is said to be the great Ekadashi which is also called by the name Shayani Ekadashi.

During this day the devotees keep fast the whole day and they go walking in huge processions to Pandharpur. People sing chanting hymns of Saint Dyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram to pay their tribute to their God Vitthal. This procession starts in Allandi and ends on Guru Poornima at Pandharpur. This day is considered very pious and people join the yatra not only from Maharashtra but also from other cities as well. Men are dressed in ethnic wears like dhoti and kurta and sing devotional songs during this long journey. It is simply spectacular to see this tradition of Maharashtra which is very colourful and energetic.

Ashadhi Ekadashi Vrat Rituals

Devotees of Lord Vishnu wait for this auspicious occasion to pay their deep respect and devotion to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. People observe fast and pray to him, to get blessed by the supreme entity himself. The rituals of Ashadi Ekadashi Vrat according to the scriptures are given as follows:

Devotees who observe Devshayani Ekadashi Vrat, must wake up early in the morning, and purify themselves with a holy bath.
During mid-day, rituals are performed to pay homage to the souls of deceased ancestors, and let them rest in peace.
An altar is set up to perform the puja rituals, and the Puja Sthal is cleaned to be embellished with the idol of Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu's idol is dressed in yellow coloured clothes.
Betel leaf (Paan), Betel nut (Supari), yellow flowers, sandalwood, etc. are offered to Lord Vishnu.
The people who are observing the Ashadi Ekadashi Vrat are allowed to consume food only one time a day.
During the Parana period on the next day, the fast can be broken by consuming food.

Legend associated with Ashadhi Ekadashi Vrat

Once upon a time, there lived a king named Mandhata. During his reign, the prosperity of his kingdom flourished, and as a result all his subjects were pleased with him. But the tides turned, and there came a period during which his kingdom was subjected to drought and famine. Being the great ruler he always was, King Mandhata went on a journey to find a solution to the problems because of which his people were being tormented. On his way, he met Sage Angira who advised him to observe a fast on the Ekadashi of the month of Ashada, to combat the problem his kingdom was facing.

King Mandhata returned to his land, and told his people to follow the words of Sage Angira. The whole kingdom observed the Vrat, and prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was pleased with the faith and devotion that the people of the kingdom had for him. As a result, it rained in buckets, and the kingdom got rid of the problem which had plunged them into depth of despair. It was all achieved with the devotion of the people, and the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu. Since then, Ashadi Ekadashi is considered as one of the most sacred day to devote oneself in the veneration of Lord Vishnu.

DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL

The Ashadhi Ekadashi is generally held during the months of June and July which are the monsoon months of our country.

HISTORY OF THE ATTRACTION

As per the legends on this day of Great Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu fell asleep and the again woke up after four months on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi which falls during the Kartik month. This time of the month is known as the Chaturmas which coincides with our rainy season. Owing to these stories of our purans, this day is celebrated in Maharashtra with a lot of grandeur and devotees join from all parts of the country to pay homage to the Lord.

Significance of Ashadhi Ekadashi

Commonly denoted by the name Devshayani Ekadashi, it marks the commencement of Lord Vishnu's slumber period which continues for four months. During this period, Lord Vishnu sleeps on Shesha Naga moves to the Ksheer Sagar (Ocean of Milk) to rest on Shesha Naag. The 4 month long slumber is known as Chaturmas. Any kind of auspicious activity is avoided during Lord Vishnu's period of sleep. The period ends on Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi, after completing 4 months of Lord Vishnu's nap, and he wakes up.

We hope that all your queries regarding Ashadi Ekadashi have been answered, and you will now be able to please Lord Vishnu to obtain his choicest blessings.

Akshaya Tritiya Significance

Akhatrij is one among those days that are considered as Sadhe Teen Shubh Muhurat (3 and a half auspicious days) of the year. On this day, one may perform many auspicious things.
Bathing in Ganga also has special significance on this day. One who performs Ganga Snana on this day gets rid of all the negativities.
Also, one may perform Pitru Shradh on this day. Barley, wheat, grams, Sattu, curd-rice, things made of milk, etc. must be donated in the name of ancestors and after that, a Pandit (Hindu priest) must be offered food.
It is believed to be quite auspicious if you perform Shraddh of your ancestors at a religious place on this day.
Some people also believe that it is auspicious to buy gold on this day.
On this day only, Parashuram and Hayagreeva had incarnated.
Treta Yuga had also begun on the very same day.
The doors of Shri Badrinath Temple opens on this day.

Due to all these reasons, this festival is considered quite auspicious and fruitful. We hope that this little piece of informations will help you make the best out of this festival.