Devshayani Ekadashi 2024: Date, timing, story, rituals, and all you need to know – Times of India

Devshayani Ekadashi, also known as Ashadhi Ekadashi or Shayani Ekadashi, is one of the most important Ekadashis that fall in a year as it signifies Lord Vishnu going into deep sleep. Followers and devotees of Lord Vishnu and Shri Krishna observe strict fast on this day, avoid all kinds of Tamasic food, and spend their day chanting and remembering Vishnu’s name.
According to Hindu calendar, Devshayani ekadashi falls on the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha. And according to the Gregorian calendar, Devshayani Ekadashi falls between June and July.

Date and timings of Devshayani Ekadashi

In 2024, Devshayani Ekadashi will be observed on the 17th of July.
The timings for Devshayani ekadashi, according to Drik Panchang are –
“Ekadashi Tithi Begins – 08:33 PM on Jul 16, 2024
Ekadashi Tithi Ends – 09:02 PM on Jul 17, 2024”

The story behind Devshayani ekadashi

According to Hindu legends, Devshayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of the Chaturmas period, which is a four-month period of heightened spiritual activities. According to scriptures and stories, Devshayani Ekadashi is when the divine sleep (shayana) of Lord Vishnu in his cosmic ocean of milk (Ksheer Sagar) starts.
It is said that on this day, Lord Vishnu falls asleep to rest on his serpent bed, Shesh. During this period of rest, all activities of the Lord’s creation are said to pause until he awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi, also known as Dev Uthani Ekadashi.
In these four months, the task of running the world smoothly falls on Lord Shiva, and thus starts the month of Sawan.

Rituals to follow during Devshayani Ekadashi

During Devshayani Ekadashi, the people who observe fasts and do rituals, make sure to do them with utter concentration and a pure, pious heart and mind. Fasting on Devshayani Ekadashi is believed to cleanse all sins of the devotee and lead them to Vaikuntha after their soul is free from the body.
Here are some important rituals to follow and keep in mind –
Fasting or vrats
Make sure to observe a strict fast on Devshayani Ekadashi, abstaining from food for the entire day and night. Some people also abstain from consuming grains and even drinking water, and instead drink only milk, that too once or twice.
For people who can’t do strict fasting, it is recommended to at least not engage in eating grains or any Tamasic food and try their best to eat as little as possible and chant the name of Lord Vishnu as much as possible.

How to do puja?

On the day of Devshayani ekadashi special prayers and rituals are done in temples and home temples. The day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and devotees make sure to visit Vishnu temples and offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to seek his blessings.
Taking Vishnu’s name
Devotees also recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and other religious texts dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it is considered auspicious on this day.
Daan, or charity
Devotees also believe that doing daan (charity) on Ekadashi can also help them be free of their sins. Giving money, grains, clothes, or food to the needy is believed to help earn merit punya on this sacred day.