Prabodhini Ekadashi

Prabodhini Ekadashi is one of important ekadashis observed by the Hindus that occurs on the ‘ekadashi tithi’ (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) of the auspicious month of ‘Kartik’ in the traditional Hindu calendar. If you follow the Gregorian calendar, it corresponds to the months between October-November. Prabodhini Ekadashi is also known as ‘Dev Utthana Ekadashi’, ‘Vishnu-Prabodhini’ or ‘Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi’.

On this day the propitious Tulsi Vivaah ceremony is also performed and the ‘Chaturmas’ period, when Lord Vishnu is supposed to sleep, also comes to an end with Prabodhini Ekadashi. As per the Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu goes off to sleep on ‘Shayani Ekadashi’ and wakes up on ‘Prabodhini Ekadashi’.

The Prabodhini Ekadashi vrat is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is observed by Vaishnavas in different parts of the country with full enthusiasm and fervour. Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu to invoke His divine blessings. This day is very significant in many ways as the renowned Kartik Month Pandarpur Yatra also ends on the Prabodhini Ekadashi day. This ekadashi is also referred as ‘Kartik Shukla Ekadashi’ or ‘Kartiki Ekadashi’. The celebrations of Prabodhini Ekadashi are very renowned in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The famous month-long ‘Pushkar Fair’ commences from this day.

Significance :

The greatness of Prabodhini Ekadashi was first narrated by Lord Brahma to Sage Narada and is explained in the ‘Skanda Purana’. It holds great significance for Hindus as it marks the beginning of the auspicious ceremonies like marriages, child naming ceremonies, grah pravesh and so on. Prabodhini Ekadashi holds immense importance among the ‘Swaminarayan sect’. This day honours the religious initiation or ‘diksha’ of Swaminarayan by his guru and mentor Guru Ramanand Swami. Devotees observe this sacred fast to wash away their evil deeds and sins committed during the lifetime. Also by offering prayers to Lord Vishnu will devotion on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, it is believed that a person can attain salvation or ‘moksha’ and go straight away to ‘Vaikunth’ after death.

Rituals during Prabodhini Ekadashi:

On Prabodhini Ekadashi it is considered purifying and meritorious to take a bath in the holy rivers or water bodies. Taking a religious bath on this day is more beneficial than taking a bath in any of the Hindu pilgrimages. Hence the observer of this vrat. Get up before sunrise and take a bath.
Devotees observe a fast on the Prabodhini Ekadashi. They spend the whole day without eating or even drinking water. The observer of the vrat visits the temples of Lord Vishnu in the evening and participates in the puja rituals held there.
On the day of Dev Utthana Ekadashi’ a picture of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the place of worship. In some places, the image drawn is covered with a brass place to symbolize the sleeping of the lord. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with lamps, fruits and vegetables. Devotees then sing bhakti songs or bhajans and pray to their lord to get up from His sleep and shower blessings on all. In order to wake Lord Vishnu from His slumber, children make lots of noises and light mustard torches during the night.
On this day the marriage ceremony of Lord Vishnu to Goddess Tulsi is also performed and the ceremony is known as ‘Tulsi Vivaah’. Sometimes this ceremony is also conducted on the next day following Prabodhini Ekadashi.