Ashadi Ekadashi is of great significance to the Bhakti cult in Maharashtra. Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar two of the great Bhakti exponents in Maharashtra reached the abode of Lord Vitthal in Pandharpur on Ashadi Ekadasi. They had set out on foot around fifteen days before the auspicious day from their villages. Sant Tukaram started from Dehu village near Pune and Sant Jnaneshwar from Alandi. They walked on foot singing the praise of Lord Vithal and reached the shrine on the auspicious day for the darshan of the Lord. In memory of this pilgrimage, Maharashtrians undertake Dindi Yatra or Pandharpur Yatra by foot to the Pandarpur shrine of Vitthala. The devotees are known Varkaris and they go in a procession carrying the ‘palki’ of Sant Tukaram and Sant Jnaneshwar.

Significance of Ashadhi Ekadashi

Ashadhi Ekadashi is also known as Shayani Ekadashi (lit. "sleeping eleventh") or Maha-ekadashi or Prathama-ekadashi or Padma Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadha . Thus it is also known as Ashadhi. This holy day is of special significance to Vaishnavas, followers of Hindu preserver god Vishnu. On this day idols of Vishnu and Lakshmi are worshipped, the entire night is spent singing prayers, and devotees keep fast and take vows on this day, to be observed during the entire chaturmas, the holy four month period of rainy season. These may include, giving up a food item or fasting on every Ekadashi day.
It is believed that Vishnu falls asleep (called - Yoga-Nidra) in Ksheersagar - cosmic ocean of milk - on Shesha nāga, the cosmic serpent. Thus the day is also called Dev-Shayani Ekadashi (lit. "god-sleeping eleventh") or Hari-shayani Ekadashi (lit. "Vishnu-sleeping eleventh") or Shayana Ekadashi. Vishnu finally awakens from his slumber four months later on Prabodhini Ekadashi - eleventh day of bright fortnight in the Hindu month Kartik (October-November). This period is known as Chaturmas (lit. "four months") and coincides with the rainy season. Thus, Shayani Ekadashi is the beginning of Chaturmas. Devotees start observing the Chaturmas vrata to please Vishnu on this day.
A fast is observed on Shayani Ekadashi. The fast demands abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals, certain vegetables like onions and certain spices and all kinds of eggs and non-veg.

Importance Of Shayani Ekadashi

The ancient Hindu mythology tells - on this Ekadahi Lord Hari goes to Ksheer Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, rest there for 4 months on Shesha Naga and then returns back to Vaikunth Vas on Shukla Paksha Ekadashi in Kartik Month which is also known as the Prabodhani Ekadashi. The period between Shayani Ekadashi and Prabodhani Ekadashi is considered best for events like marriage etc. and is known as Chaturmas. This Chatur Mas period is a 4 months period of rainy season. Usually the sages and saints worship Lord Vishnu as well as goddess Lakshmi while staying at a single place only during these four months. Story Behind Hari Shayani Ekadasi According to Hindu scriptures, Hari Shayani Ekadashi Vrata is considered very significant. There is also a popular story behind it. Sage Narada once questioned Lord Brahma about the importance of Harishayani Ekadashi. Lord Brahma told him the story, “There was a great king in Satayuga. His kingdom was suffering from drought for past 3 years. Anxiety spread among citizens. Seeing the severity of the problems, he went to consult a Great Sage Angira. Sage Angira said that in Satayuga, even a small sin can also affect a lot. He further indicated that there is some person in his kingdom doing wrong prayers. The sage advised the King that if he would kill that man then his kingdom may get a relief. But the King didn’t agree to that as he did not want to kill an innocent person just because of performing wrong rituals. The King asked the sage another way out. Sage Angira told him that the one and only alternative is that he and his people should fast on Harishayani Ekadashi. Hearing this, the King returned to his Kingdom and followed the sage’s advice. He along with the citizens of his kingdom fasted on this day. Due to this, the kingdom received plenty of rains and people became prosperous and happy.”

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