DevshayaniEkadashi
‖ 25 July 2026 (Saturday) ‖
Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi — the day Vishnu enters four months of yoga-sleep and Chaturmas begins. It is also called Harishayani and Padma Ekadashi.
Chaturmas begins on Devshayani Ekadashi — weddings and other auspicious work pause for four months, and a season of devotion, japa, satsang and seva opens. For Shyam devotees it is the doorway to the bhajan-filled days of Shravan.
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The beginning of Chaturmas
From this day Vishnu rests in yoga-sleep on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk, waking on Dev Uthani Ekadashi (Kartik Shukla). These four months are the Chaturmas — auspicious ceremonies pause, but it is the finest season for devotion and sadhana.
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Harishayani — the gate of the vrat year
The stretch from Devshayani to Dev Uthani is filled with vrats and festivals — the month of Shravan, Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali. This Ekadashi is therefore called the gate of the vrat year; the seeker who takes a vow on this day passes the whole Chaturmas in sadhana.
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Chaturmas at Khatu
At the Khatu Shyam temple, Chaturmas is a season of bhajan-kirtan and satsang. From the evening of Devshayani Ekadashi the mood turns toward Shravan — and the crown of this period comes at its close: the Kartik Mela, the manifestation festival of Baba.
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Sattvic food and restraint from the night of Dashami.
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On Ekadashi, bathe at dawn and worship Vishnu / Shyam Baba with yellow cloth and flowers, taking the vow.
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Keep a fruit fast through the day with Vishnu Sahasranama / Shyam remembrance and bhajan-kirtan.
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Take a Chaturmas vow — give up one thing, or take up one daily practice (japa, recitation, seva) for the four months.
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Break the fast (paran) on Dwadashi morning; donate food and cloth as you are able.
Devshayani Ekadashi — FAQ
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What happens on Devshayani Ekadashi?
From Devshayani Ekadashi, Vishnu enters four months of yoga-sleep and Chaturmas begins — weddings and other auspicious work pause and a season of devotion opens. He wakes on Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
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What should one do during Chaturmas?
Chaturmas is a season of devotion — daily japa, recitation, satsang, seva, and the vow of giving up one thing. Vrats and festivals like Shravan, Janmashtami and Navratri all fall in this period.
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What other names does Devshayani Ekadashi have?
It is also called Harishayani Ekadashi, Padma Ekadashi and Ashadhi Ekadashi. In Maharashtra, the famous Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage concludes on this day.