Devshayani Ekadashi 2020: A number of Hindu festivals and rituals are lined up during the monsoon. One of which is Devshayani Ekadashi or Ashadhi Ekadashi which is a holy day dedicated to the god Vishnu. This day is the eleventh lunar day (tithi) of each of the two lunar phases which occur in a Hindu calendar month. Know the significance of Ashadhi Ekadashi vrat (fast) here.

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It is believed that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep or a deep meditation (Yoga Nidra) on this day and then wakes up after four months on Prabodhini Ekadashi. On Ekadahsi, devotees observe fast or vrat throughout the day and the fast is broken during the Parana which is the auspicious time for breaking the fast. During the fast rice, wheat and lentils are not consumed and devotees only eat fruits, milk, and milk products and food cooked according to special fast recipes. According to astrological beliefs these rituals help to ward off negative effects of planetary positions.

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The Ekadashi Tithi began from Jun 30 and it will end at 5:29 PM on July 1. This day also comes after the Puri Jagannath Bahuda Rath Yatra of Odisha and is also important for the Pandharpur Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari Yatra in Maharashtra as these celebrations conclude on this day. After this day, Chaturmas or four months of the holy period begins. The four months of Chaturmas are Shravan, Bhadra, Ashwin and Kartik.

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