This year, Dev Uthani Ekadashi, also known as Shri Hari Prabodhini Ekadashi, spans two days. 1st and 2nd November will be observed as Vijaya Ekadashi.
The Ekadashi tithi begins on 1st November at 9:11 am and ends on 2nd November at 7:31 am.
For those leading a family life, Dev Uthani Ekadashi is observed on 1st November, while for Vaishnavs, it is observed on 2nd November. In the Vaishnav tradition, the timing of the fast is determined according to the exact muhurta of Hari Vaasar, the moment Lord Vishnu awakens. This is why there is a difference of one day between the two.
The Parana (breaking of the Ekadashi fast) takes place the following day. Those who fast on 1st November will perform the Parana on 2nd November, while those who fast on 2nd November will break their fast on 3rd November.
On 2nd November, the time for Parana is from 1:11 pm to 3:23 pm. The Hari Vaasar, marking the end of auspicious time for the day, concludes at 12:55 pm.
Significance of Dev Uthani Ekadashi
According to the scriptures, on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, awakens from his four-month-long yog nidra (divine sleep) and resumes the responsibility of creation. This day also marks the ceremonial marriage of Lord Shaligram and Mother Tulsi.
Every year, on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (also called Hari Shayani Ekadashi), it’s believed that Lord Vishnu enters yog nidra. From that point until Prabodhini Ekadashi, auspicious activities such as marriages are avoided. On Prabodhini Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu is worshipped and ceremoniously awakened from yog nidra.
How Dev Uthani Ekadashi is Observed
The Narada Purana beautifully describes the significance of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, known as Prabodhini Ekadashi. On this day, devotees observe a fast and awaken Lord Vishnu, who is in deep yog nidra, through songs and sacred rituals.
Reciting mantras from the Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda and performing various ceremonial rites to awaken Lord Vishnu brings his blessings. Offerings such as grapes, sugarcane, pomegranate, bananas, and water chestnuts should be made to the deity.
The following morning, after bathing and completing daily duties, Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with the Shodashopachar Puja using the Purusha Sukta mantras. It’s recommended that one should feed Brahmins and offer them dakshina.
Those who observe the Prabodhini Ekadashi fast with devotion and respect are said to attain immense merit and inexhaustible prosperity, enjoying worldly pleasures in this life and ultimately attain moksha.
So how should one break the fast on Dev Uthani Ekadashi? According to ISKCON Dwarka, “A ritual wedding of the Tulsi plant with the fasting of Prabodhini Ekadashi and the sacred black Sharigram stone-shaped God Vishnu, who is considered to be Tulsi’s husband. In the evening, the well-known tradition of red clay and rice paste is used to create the floor design. Images of Lakshmi and Vishnu are also made from it.”
It also states, “Lakshmi Poojaan and Vishnu Poojaan are observed in the evening with sugar cane, rice, dried red pepper, etc., followed by Pandit. This ceremonial wedding is Tulsi Vivah and can be held the next day by Pravodhini Ekadashi on behalf of Pravodhini Ekadashi himself.”