Ashadhi Ekadashi June, 2023 • Shayani Ekadashi Importance

Shayani ekadashi or devshayani ekadashi is often regarded as the holiest of all ekadashi days by Hindus, especially Vaishnava Hindus who consider Lord Vishnu as the supreme God. Shayani ekadashi is also called Maha ekadashi, Padma ekadashi, Shayana ekadashi. Among Telugu speaking population, this day is known as Tholi Ekadashi (తొలి ఏకాదశి).

This ekadashi falls on the ekadashi tithi (11th day) in the Shukla Paksha (waxing) phase of the moon in the Ashadha month of Indian lunar calendar. For this reason, shayani ekadashi is also called Ashadi Ekadashi (Hindi: आषाढ़ी एकादशी), which is one of the most widely accepted names of this ekadashi. Ashadi Ekadashi comes after Yogini ekadashi and is followed by Kamika ekadashi.

In English calendar, the date falls somewhere between June to July. On Ashadi Ekadashi, Hindus worship God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and obsreve fast to please the supreme God.

When is ashadi ekadashi in 2023?

Shayani Ekadashi 2023 is on June 29 Thursday

17 days to go for the event

After June 29, 2023, next ashadi ekadashi falls on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Ashadi Ekadashi Vrat and Puja rituals:

Taking a holy bath is considered to be very auspicious on ashadi ekadashi. Devotees in large number gather at Nasik, to take a dip in the Godavari River, in the honour of Sri Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

On the day of ashadi ekadashi, devotees keep a fast by refraining from specific foods like rice, beans, grains, cereals, specific vegetables and spices. By keeping a fast on this day, the observer will be able to resolve all the problems or tensions in life.

Devotees decorate the idol of Lord Vishnu with Gadha, Chakra, Shank and bright yellow clothes. Incense sticks, flowers, betel, betel nut and Bhog are presented as offerings. After the puja ritual, aarti is sung and the prasad is eaten together with other devotees.

On ashadi ekadashi, the observer of this vrat must remain awake all night and chant religious bhajans or songs in praise of Lord Vishnu. Reciting religious books like ‘Vishnu Sahartanaam’ is also considered very auspicious.

Tithi Timing and Puja Muhurat for Ashadhi Ekadashi 2023

The above table shows Hari vasara end timing and parana timing to break fast after ashadi ekadashi vrat.

Significance of Ashadi Ekadashi:

The greatness of Ashadi Ekadashi was narrated first by Lord Brahma to his son Narad and later by Lord Krishna to King Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas that can be read in the ‘Bhavishyottara Purana’.

Shayani Ekadashi is one of the most significant ekadashi vrat that is also observed as the first ekadashi. It is a popular belief that anyone observing this Ekadashi vrat with complete commitment will be blessed with happy, prosperous and peaceful life. After enjoying the worldly pleasures, they will finally attain salvation.

Ashadhi Ekadashi also marks the end of the famous ‘Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadashi Waari Yatra’. Pandharpur is a small district in the state of Maharashtra and here God ‘Vithoba’, a personification Of Lord Vishnu is worshipped with dedication. The yatra or the religious procession is a 17-day long grand event that attracts tourists to this place. Moreover on the day of Ashadi ekadashi, Vaishnava Mutts dress in heated seals and this tradition is known as ‘Tapta Mudra Dharana’.

Ashadi Ekadashi falls during the time when Lord Vishnu sleeps on the ‘Shesha Naag’ (the cosmic servant) in the ‘Ksheersagar’ (cosmic ocean of milk) and therefore the name ‘Hari Shayani Ekadashi’.

As per the Hindu legends, Lord Vishnu finally awakes, four months later, on the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi. This slumber period of the lord is known as ‘Chaturmas’ and it concurs with the rainy season. Devshayani Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi marks the onset of the Chaturmas period and on this day, devotees keep a holy fast to invoke Lord Vishnu’s blessings.