Devshayani Ekadashi

Ashadh Ekadashi also known as Devshayani Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi, Ashadhi, Maha Ekadashi, Prathama Ekadashi or Hari Shayani Ekadashi is celebrated by Hindus on the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha.  In Telugu, it is known as Toli Ekadashi.

It is believed that he falls asleep in Ksheersagar (which is cosmic ocean of milk) on Shesha Naga (the cosmic serpent) on this day. Thus the day is also called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi..

He awakens from his divine, yogic sleep four months later on Prabodhini Ekadashi (also known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi), which is eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Hindu month Kartik.

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For the uninitiated, the Chaturmas period includes Shravan, Bhadrapada, Ashwin and Kartik months. It is to be noted that no auspicious ceremonies like weddings, engagements, tonsuring, housewarming and naming ceremonies are planned during Chaturmas.

This Ekadashi, also marks the culmination of 'waari' pilgrimage, that devotees from Maharashtra undertake from across the state on foot to reach the temple town 'Pandharpu'.

-K Himaanshu Shuklaa..