
Dedicated to the divine Lord Vishnu, Dev Uthani Ekadashi is an auspicious occasion that holds immense significance for devotees. The devotees celebrate this occasion with utmost reverence. Are you curious to know about the rituals of Dev Uthani Ekadashi and the importance of Tulsi Vivah? If yes, keep reading.
Hands down, Dev Uthani Ekadashi or Devutthana Ekadashi is one of the most important Ekadashi Vrats (fast) observed by the Hindus. On Devutthana Ekadashi, devotees pray to Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings. It is commonly believed that Lord Vishnu wakes up on Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month after sleeping for four months; this is why this Ekadashi is known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
Let’s get to know more about this occasion.
The auspicious occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi is also commonly known as Devutthana Ekadashi or Prabodhini Ekadashi. According to the Hindu calendar, Devutthana Ekadashi is observed on the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the Moon) Ekadashi Tithi or date. This pious occasion falls in the month of Kartik and comes after Diwali. As per the Gregorian Calendar, the auspicious occasion falls in October or November.
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Dev Uthani Ekadashi might be famous by various names among various devotees, but one thing that is common is that the occasion is immensely revered. All the Ekadashis have a massive importance in mythological texts. Still, one cannot deny that the Devutthana Ekadashi of the Kartik Shukla Paksha, which comes after the festival of Diwali, is particularly lucky and more auspicious. This occasion holds great significance amongst the Hindus.
The auspicious occasion of Devutthana Ekadashi marks the end of four months of the inauspicious time when no propitious tasks are performed. This period is called the Chaturmas. The four months before the Devutthana Ekadashi is Lord Vishnu's sleeping period. The time from Shayani Ekadashi to Dev Uthani Ekadashi is regarded as inauspicious for any holy or auspicious functions such as marriages or engagement ceremonies. Hence, people wait till Devutthana Ekadashi to begin important ceremonies like marriage. The occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi initiates the marriage season. In fact, all auspicious and sacred activities start again.
On this occasion, rituals are performed to wake Lord Vishnu up. People observe fast (vrat) on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, and this vrat is dedicated to the divine Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that if someone observes this fast on this auspicious day, their sins, even past sins, will be removed. Observing this fast is believed to help the devotees attain salvation. Devotees also worship Lord Vishnu on this day to get his divine blessings. Vaishnavas observe this occasion in different parts of the country with great enthusiasm and spiritual fervour.
Devutthana Ekadashi is observed in the Northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Furthermore, it is also celebrated in some southern states.
If you want to know more about Dev Uthani Ekadashi Puja rituals, or you want to get some marriage-related advice, you can consult the experienced, genuine, and professional astrologers at Astroyogi.
The words 'Dev Uthani' denote 'to wake Dev or God up', whereas 'Ekadashi' means the 11th day. Therefore, Devutthana Ekadashi is the day that is the start of auspicious timing as it ends the period of Lord Vishnu's sleep.
As per Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu had been fulfilling his duty of destroying evil, and therefore, had spent many years without sleeping. This schedule had harmful effects on his sleeping cycle and made him fall asleep suddenly for many years. Lord Vishnu's irregular sleeping patterns disturbed Goddess Lakshmi, his consort. Once Goddess Lakshmi requested him to regularise his sleeping patterns so that she could get repose. Lord Vishnu realised that he was stressing and disturbing not only Goddess Lakshmi but also the other Gods. Lord Vishnu said that the Pralaya Kaleen period (the end of the world) would be known as his deep sleep or 'Maha Nindra'. The four months that he slumbers would be known as 'Alpa Nindra' or the short sleep, which will be highly auspicious for his devotees. He said that the devotees who will serve him during this time and organise the festivities for his awakening, Lord Vishnu, will then reside in their homes and bless them.
Hence, he decided to sleep for four months during the rainy season every year. It is believed that the divine deity goes to sleep, known as the 'Yoga Nidra', on Dev Shayani Ekadashi in Ashadh month, which is around June and July and gets up on Devutthana Ekadashi.
On Devutthana Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is invoked to wake him. It is believed that the deity, Lord Vishu, resides in the houses of the devotees who offer him prayers with complete reverence. Worshipping Lord Vishnu on this particular day ensures that his grace and blessings are showered on the family.
Traditionally, this occasion also marks the beginning of the sugarcane harvest. Offering freshly-cut sugarcane to the deities is auspicious, as it is an indicator of a good harvest.
On this day, once the Dev Uthani Ekadashi fast is observed and fruits are offered to Lord Vishnu, the ‘Tulsi Vivah’ takes place. Sometimes this marriage ceremony is also conducted on the next day following Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Once it is done, the fast is finally broken. It is believed that performing this ritual will ensure that you enjoy a blissful and happy married life.
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Tulsi Vivah (marriage) ceremony is performed on Devutthana Ekadashi and is considered a crucial practice. In this customary practice, a marriage of a Tulsi (Basil) plant with Lord Vishnu or Shaligram is performed with great pomp and enthusiasm. As per the Hindu scriptures, The Tulsi sapling is regarded as a reincarnation of a woman named 'Vrinda', an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, the marriage ceremony of the Tulsi plant to Shaligram is performed. Tulsi Vivah means invoking Lord Vishnu through the Tulsi sapling. It is believed that Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu, so when the deity wakes up, he first responds to the prayers of those who worship Harivallabha Tulsi.
Worshipping Tulsi and the Shaligram on this specific day with complete rituals will ensure that all your wishes get fulfilled, and your sufferings are eliminated from your life. Obstacles in your married life also get removed. Moreover, it is also mentioned in the scriptures that married couples who do not have daughters must get the chance of performing 'Kanyadaan' (donation of the daughter) by getting Tulsi married.
✍️ By- Team Astroyogi